Andy Carroll kept Hughton's side on course for promotion with the only goal in a hard-fought win at Doncaster, and football was all the Toon boss wanted to talk about.
Chris Hughton: "The team have been focused all season.
"Everybody is aware of things. We have carried the pressure of being top all season and the pressures that go with that. This team is very focused.
"Andy Carroll is a player in very good goalscoring form at the moment.
"He's one that we've continually said had to add goals to his game and he's certainly providing that for us.
"Andy was part of the XI. We're always working on selection, but he's a player on very good form. He's a vital player for us."