Kinnear Finally Learns The Winning Mentality!

"We've had difficult away matches, but that's our third clean sheet on the road.

"We got great draws at Everton and Chelsea, which aren't easy places to travel to, and to go to Portsmouth and win by three clear goals was a massive result for us.

"It sent the Toon Army home very happy, and maybe they can enjoy the start of their Christmas.

"We did dominate at times. I was disappointed we didn't come in at half time one in front, as Oby had smashed the ball against the post. It was a tremendous shot.

"For me, this was a game which was there to be won if we stamped our authority on it.

"We looked comfortable with (Peter) Crouch and (Jermain) Defoe, even though they did create a couple of chances, as they always do.

"Fair credit to the back four, and above all Shay Given. It was a third clean sheet away from home, and as long as we keep building on it by making ourselves hard to beat, we have got enough talent and enough good strikers to score us goals.

"We were on a downer last week against Stoke. I think we just ran out of legs halfway through that game.

"We had no midfield players on the pitch, and it was a case of sticking people in left, right and centre.

"It took me a few days to get over losing a second game in the 90th minute, but you have to put these things behind you and get on with it, and that's exactly what we did.

"It was a tremendous reaction from the Stoke game to come to Portsmouth and win 3-0. It could have been more, but we'll settle for the three.

"It's done our goal difference the world of good, and we moved up a few places.

"It puts us in a good frame of mind for the Tottenham game, so bring it on!"