• Premier League

Cisse plays down Shearer comparisons

ESPN staff
February 26, 2013
Papiss Cisse has a penchant for the spectacular © PA Photos
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Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse has distanced himself from comparisons with club legend Alan Shearer after scoring his stunning volley in the 4-2 win over Southampton on Sunday.

Cisse, 27, had not found the net in his previous four outings for Newcastle but returned to the scoring charts in emphatic fashion with a long-distance strike which handed the Magpies a 2-1 lead at St James' Park.

The goal closely resembled Shearer's memorable volley against Everton ten years ago, but Cisse believes he must become a more regular scorer to garner such esteemed reviews.

"I haven't scored too many goals this year. It's difficult for me sometimes but maybe it's coming," he said. "I have seen Alan Shearer's goal against Everton on TV. It does not come into my mind.

"Alan Shearer is the big man. I'm not Alan - I try sometimes but Alan is the big man. I have never met him. But all of the time I see him on TV he talks well about me when I play good."

Cisse is no stranger to spectacular goals, with two strikes against Chelsea last season announcing his arrival in England in spectacular fashion.

"The Chelsea goal is at the top of my list. But this one is up there, too," Cisse said. "It was a very difficult goal for me to score. A few people could score a goal like this, but Chelsea was very difficult to do.

"For my goal against Southampton I saw the ball come over Jonas Gutierrez and I went to play for the second ball.

"After the ball came to me, in my head I just thought 'shoot'. I knew it was a goal. It was a nice feeling, I'm happy. But it is not magic. I am a Muslim and I said 'thank you, God' once it had left my boot and went in."

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