Alan Pardew hoping for Sunderland win

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has admitted that he wants local rivals Sunderland to beat Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Magpies are now just two points off fourth-placed Spurs in the race for a Champions League spot following Friday's 2-0 win at Swansea City.

"It will be one of the first times we are all going to be pulling for Sunderland in our dressing room!" said Pardew. "So good luck to Martin and the boys up in the North East. We will be hoping they can do us a favour."

A win for Harry Redknapp's team on Wearside would lift them above Arsenal and into third place in the table.