Alan Pardew impressed with Jak Alnwick presence

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has admitted that he was impressed with the confidence of Jak Alnwick's performance against Chelsea on Saturday.

The third-choice goalkeeper, who replaced the injured Rob Elliot at half time at St James' Park, kept the Blues at bay in the second period as Newcastle recorded a 2-1 win.

Pardew says that the 21-year-old put in an assured display on his first-team debut.

"It's very unusual for a third-choice goalie to have the kind of aura that he was giving out," Pardew told the Northern Echo.

"He was calm and for me on the sideline, that gave me reassurance. I like my goalies to have that feel.

"He is definitely winning the cool award at the Christmas party because he just took it in his stride, and I have to pay a massive tribute to him for that."

Alnwick is expected to keep his place in the team for Newcastle's trip to Arsenal this Saturday.