Malick Thiaw reflects on first goal at St. James' Park | OneFootball

After a goalless first-half, Bruno Guimarães' header sent the hosts ahead in the closing stages of the Premier League clash before Thiaw, who netted his first United goals in November's 4-1 away win against Everton, doubled Newcastle's advantage against the Eagles with a close-range finish.

Thiaw featured alongside Fabian Schär, the latter making his 250th club appearance, at the heart of United's backline and helped record a first clean sheet in the English top-flight since October's 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest.

With Newcastle situated two points adrift of the division's top five, Thiaw is hopeful the Magpies can build on their bright start to the new year ahead of welcoming Leeds United to Tyneside on Wednesday night (kick-off 8:15pm GMT).

Here are some of the defender's main thoughts...

On claiming back-to-back league wins...

"Really happy. I think it was a really important game and now we have back-to-back wins in the Prem.

"Again, it's something really important where you can build off for the next game, also a home game, so we try to take the confidence. Everyone is happy about the win."

On his maiden strike in front of the home crowd...

"Amazing! I went to the corner flag and I saw the emotions of the fans. [It was] incredible. That's what Newcastle is about. The emotion. The passion."

On finding the breakthrough in front of goal...

"I think we played quite good. We didn't create too much in the first-half, scoring two offside goals but I think you have to stay patient in these kind of moments.

"The opportunities will arrive so we had to stick to the game plan and the chances will come."

On a first clean sheet since November's UEFA Champions League win against Athletic Club...

"It was time! It was something that annoyed us but we didn't try to put too much focus on it because we know we have quality.

"We defended well. Today, we deserved not to concede. Apart from the one chance in the first-half, they didn't really create anything."

On extending their unbeaten home run to 11 matches across all competitions...

"St. James' Park is something incredible, so strong. To come here to play is so hard for every team. The fans are incredible.

"We just to try to take the energy from or give it to them as well. It's been really good."

On targeting a third successive Premier League win ahead of Wednesday's visit of Leeds...

"That's what we should do now. We are in a time of the season where the games are really important.

"The championship is really tight so we just try to take the points, especially at home, and we should go there [against Leeds] with a lot of confidence."