Alan Pardew has described the performance that his Newcastle United side put in against Liverpool earlier today as "awesome".

The Magpies maintained their challenge for European football next season with a 2-0 victory over the Reds at the Sports Direct Arena.

Pardew was full of praise for his entire squad, although he did single out centre-back pairing Mike Williamson and James Perch for special recognition.

"They were awesome today. We were very much in control of the game, I thought," Pardew told Sky Sports News. "Liverpool had a lot of flair on the pitch and we dealt with it well.

"The two centre-halves for us were magnificent and we got goals. We have said all along that the front four or five of ours will get goals and we just have to make sure we are disciplined and defend."

Newcastle are currently fifth in the Premier League table.