Is it a happy anniversary?
Five wins out of six is the way to go - BUT is he seen as the man to bring a trophy to St James' Park?
We asked the question in the summer and more than 70% of voters wanted him on the next train out of Central Station.
He was not a popular figure in the summer, and Mike Ashley had to think long and hard about the Londoner's future.
Knowing Ashley as we do, he probably tossed a coin and Pardew was allowed to keep his sweets, but only when ex-Womble, part-time troubleshooter and full-time gobshite Joe Kinnear was drafted in to put pressure on him.
Then after four wins on the trot we put up another poll to see if his popularity had improved, and it had ... but not as much as you would expect.
58.2% say he is the man for the job.
Pardew’s last job had seen him sacked by League One Southampton, and questioned the wisdom of United owner Mike Ashley - who met Pardew in Derek Llambias' casino.
Three years on and are we in a better position? Until last month, I would have said "No!", but beating Spurs and Man Utd on their own patch is certainly an chievement in itself.
The sale of Andy Carroll – after Pardew had insisted the striker would not be let go – did not go down well on Tyneside, but the manager played it down ... even though it was a huge embarrassment to him.
The incredible fightback from 4-0 down at home to Arsenal to draw 4-4 won many people round, although a final day collapse at home to West Bromwich Albion saw United finish in the bottom half of the table.
Newcastle had been 3-0 up in that game, but the Baggies fought back to clinch a 3-3 draw and send United into the summer in a negative frame of mind.
Pardew then faced one of his most challenging times at the club to date.
Captain Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique all left, but two of those because Ashley wanted them out of the club - Pardew didn't have a say.
However, an incredible campaign was to follow, with new signings Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and January arrival Papiss Demba Cisse spearheading a push for Europe.
Eleven games in, Newcastle found themselves in third place after an unbeaten start to the season, and they went on to finish fifth after they had been initially tipped by some pundits to go down.
Pardew was named LMA Manager of the Year, Newcastle were back in Europe and all in United’s garden appeared rosy.
However, Pardew's dislike of European football is when the cracks began to appear, with him moaning daily about playing "too many games" ... something the big boys (Man Utd, Liverpool, and Arsenal) have been doing for decades.
The players LOVED it - Pardew didn't.
Then he signed an incredible eight-year deal early in the new campaign.
Vurnon Anita was the only senior player brought into the club in the summer, and after a slow start, Newcastle found themselves in mid-table.
That soon turned into a relegation battle as Pardew’s squad struggled to cope with the dual demands of the Premier League and Europa League, and January arrivals were desperately needed.
France’s Ligue 1 was raided as five players arrived from the division in January, and they helped Newcastle survive with a game to spare.
Speculation began about Pardew’s future.
Home drubbings by Sunderland (0-3) and Liverpool (0-6) had been simply embarrassing for Newcastle, and many felt a change was needed.
Pardew kept his job, but doubts around his tactics had arisen, and he had faced heckling from the terraces in a 2-1 home defeat to Reading, who went on to be relegated.
Joe Kinnear arrived in the summer of 2013 as the club’s director of football, and at that stage, the writing seemed to be on the wall for Pardew.
Only loanee Loic Remy was brought to the club over the summer, and a tepid 4-0 opening day defeat to Manchester City did nothing to help Pardew’s cause.
His future appeared to be hanging by a thread after another derby defeat to Sunderland, but five wins in the next six games have left him riding the crest of a wave again.
However, the truth is that, as he hits three years in charge of Newcastle, he is still not universally liked.
I will be honest, I don't like his arrogance, the way he patronizes supporters with the 'obvious', his arse-licking of Ashley, the way he blames defeat on everything and everybody other than himself.
He talks to supporters as though they are school kids - and look no further than last week at Swansea.
We reported that Hatem Ben Arfa had a court case on Thursday morning facing a very serious charge.
He didn't travel to Wales, as expected, but Pardew said: "Hatem has a virus so he won't play, but he will be OK for Old Trafford."
Why not TELL THE TRUTH?
Has he has learned from the mistakes of last season, and a change in playing style and actually WORKED on dead-ball kicks – or was he right about Europe?
Perhaps his squad WAS too small.
As Pardew becomes the first manager of United to reach three years in charge since the late, great Sir Bobby Robson, he has still not done enough to be mentioned in the same breath as the former England boss ... but last week he BELIEVED he was!
He still has much to prove, and perhaps he will do it. I'm sure 52,000 at St James' Park pray he does.
Pardew was not the first choice of many when he was appointed three years ago and he probably isn’t the first choice of some now (me included).
Will he get us that trophy - or will he continue to be 'Ashley's Doormat'?
Let's hope it's a trophy ... then he WILL become as good as he thinks he is.
MAN UTD 0 NEWCASTLE 1
MAN UTD
1. David De Gea
2. Rafael 76'
6. Jonny Evans
15. Nemanja Vidic
3. Patrice Evra
44. Adnan Januzaj
4. Phil Jones
23. Tom Cleverley 69'
17. Nani 68'
20. Robin van Persie
14. Javier Hernandez
Subs
5. Rio Ferdinand
8. Anderson 69'
13. Anders Lindegaard
18. Ashley Young
19. Danny Welbeck
25. Antonio Valencia 76'
29. Wilfried Zaha 68'
NEWCASTLE
1. Tim Krul
26. Mathieu Debuchy 83'
6. Mike Williamson
2. Fabricio Coloccini
3. Davide Santon
4. Yohan Cabaye 78'
24. Cheick Tiote
8. Vurnon Anita
7. Moussa Sissoko
14. Loic Remy
11. Yoan Gouffran 57'
Subs
9. Papiss Cisse
10. Hatem Ben Arfa 57'
13. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa 83'
18. Jonas Gutierrez
21. Rob Elliot
23. Shola Ameobi 78'
25. Gabriel Obertan
The hoodoo of 1972 is behind us ... after 41 long years. The week after we lost to non-League Hereford Utd in the FA Cup we beat Man U with goals from John Tudor and Stew Barrowclough and ... we hadn't beaten the Mancs on their home turf since.
Yes we saw two victories at Old Trafford in FA Cup semi-finals against Sheff Utd and Spurs - but not against the Red Devils.
The Toon fans sang "you're goin down with the Mackems", to the few United fans who were left in the stadium, but that's Glory Seekers for yer.
It was a marvelous result, but this Man Utd team is a pale shadow of last season, and if Moyes is the man to bring them glory, I will show my arse in Fenwick's window.
FOOTYMAD MATCH REPORT ...
David Moyes' calamitous start as Manchester United manager turned into a full-blown crisis as Yohan Cabaye ended Newcastle's 41-year wait for an Old Trafford win.
It meant United have lost five times already this season and that they have collected just two points from their last four games.
Little wonder the reaction at the end was one of anger from the home supporters, who watched virtually the same group of players they booed off today clinch a 20th title by 11 points less than seven months ago.
For Moyes, it is absolutely the stuff of nightmares.
The Scot has been dignified in rolling the heavy blows that have already been inflicted upon him during his short tenure and he retains the unquestioned support of the club's owners.
Yet it seems patience elsewhere has started to wear thin.
When Patrice Evra's clearing header bounced back off Moussa Sissoko, allowing the Newcastle man a free run into the area, before cutting back a perfect cross to invite Cabaye's first-time finish, albeit via slight deflection off Nemanja Vidic, the discontent rippled round all but a small corner of the stadium.
Amid their glee, the Magpies fans delivered two of the cruellest jibes. They suggested Moyes would be sacked in the morning and that United would be accompanying Sunderland into the Championship at the end of the season. And it is true that United are nearer the drop zone than they are the top spot they occupied for so long.
As the whistle blew on yet another goalless first-half for United, it was hard not to feel a little bit of sympathy for a set of players who appeared paralysed by fear.
Seven changes from the midweek defeat by Everton, including the return of Robin van Persie following a four-match absence with a groin strain, should have had a positive impact.
But the additional mobility compared to Wednesday was lost amid the tentativeness of a team who looked scared to lose in front of a crowd on the brink of a very negative reaction.
Too often invention was spurned in favour of safety, which in turn reinforced the defences of a solid Newcastle outfit, who never looked in danger of coughing up the type of goals they did at Swansea on their last outing.
Player-of-the-month Tim Krul pulled off a decent save from Phil Jones in the early stages but had little else to do in the first-half.
Fabricio Coloccini made an excellent clearing header to prevent Vidic getting to Adnan Januzaj's cross, whilst the young Belgian was robbed in the box brilliantly by Yoan Gouffran.
And other than a blatant dive by Javier Hernandez, that was that for the hosts.
Newcastle did not do that much better.
But with Cheick Tiote controlling midfield and Loic Remy remaining on the move, United's defence did not look as settled as Newcastle's.
And when Evra was caught out of position, allowing Remy to slide a brilliant pass through for Mathieu Debuchy, whose thunderous first-time shot was turned away one-handed by David de Gea.
De Gea moments later repelled a close-range Debuchy header to at least ensure United reached the break level.
Moyes appeared to have used the interval wisely, judging by the sense of purpose his side had at the restart.
Krul saved from Hernandez and Januzaj before Evra met a Nani corner with purpose and sent a header bulleting against the post.
Vurnon Anita had no chance to react as the rebound struck him on the hand from barely six inches.
As the ball was flashing straight across goal and the diversion helped take it away to safety, a penalty surely should have been awarded. Instead referee Andre Marriner waved play on, just as he did when Tiote cut down Evra close to the Newcastle goal-line moments later.
Incidents like these tend to be followed by a hammer blow. And Cabaye duly provided it with his 10-yard finish from Sissoko's cross - via Vidic.
The introductions of Wilfried Zaha for his Premier League debut and Anderson looked like the reactions of a desperate man, just as the noise appeared to be when Van Persie turned home what he thought was an equaliser. A brilliant call by assistant referee Sian Massey ruled otherwise.
United continued to push forward but to little effect and when Marriner called time on another sorry day, there were thousands of empty seats.
Those who remained let their feelings be known in a different way.
IDEAL FOR CHRISTMAS
MAGPIES IN EUROPE -
HARVEY TO PARDEW
Although NUFC are not talking to the Chronicle or Sunday Sun ... we are!
And the full story is expected to be in newspapers this week.
The official new title is "Magpies In Europe - Harvey To Pardew" and is an up-dated version of "From Antwerp To Zurich" - which includes the 14 Europa League fixtures we played last season.
The 280-page book features match reports from the 134 European matches Newcastle United have played, starting with the memorable 4-0 win over Feyenoord in 1968 on our European debut.
Included are stats and the figures you would expect, but also each away fixture has the remarkable experiences of individuals who travelled to watch the matches.
Introduction by "Big Bad" John McNamee, part of the Fairs Cup winning team of 1969.
It is a fascinating history that every Newcastle United fan will enjoy.
And with a limited print-run, make sure you order a copy.
Mail order: Send a cheque for £10.45 made payable to K.Fletcher to:
K Fletcher, 5 Dunelm, Sacriston, Durham DH7 6NU
Include your own address.
ON SALE NOW AT:
M&M City News; 140 Northumberland St, Newcastle NE1 7DQ.
The Flower Shop, Spennymoor, Co Durham.
RRP: £10.95
if you want to order, contact us:- Kevnumad@fsmail.net
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NEWCASTLE UNITED 2013/14
PREMIER LEAGUE
MAN UTD 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Cabaye)
Krul, Debuchy (83' Yanga-Mbiwa), Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Cabaye (78' Shola Ameobi), Tiote, Anita, Sissoko, Remy, Gouffran (57' Ben Arfa).
Subs: Cisse, Gutierrez, Elliot, Obertan
SWANSEA 3 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson (77' Yanga-Mbiwa), Coloccini, Santon (56' Haidara), Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi (67' Obertan), Remy
Subs: Anita, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
NEWCASTLE 2 WBA 1 (Gouffran, Sissoko)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Sissoko (90+5' Cisse), Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi, Remy (84' Anita)
Subs: Ben Arfa, Yanga-Mbiwa, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi
NEWCASTLE 2 NORWICH CITY 1 (Remy, Gouffran)
Krul, Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye (68' Anita), Gouffran (83' Ben Arfa), Shola Ameobi (74' Cisse), Remy.
Subs: Haidara, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi
TOTTENHAM 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Remy)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote, Gouffran (85' Obertan), Remy (75' Cisse), Shola Ameobi (60' Anita).
Subs: Coloccini, Ben Arfa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi
NEWCASTLE UTD 2 CHELSEA 0 (Gouffran, Remy)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote (53' Anita), Gouffran (85' Obertan), Shola Ameobi (62' Cisse).
Subs: Ben Arfa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Tavernier.
SUNDERLAND 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Debuchy)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Dummett, Santon, Sissoko (45' Cisse), Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran (86' Sammy Ameobi), Ben Arfa, Remy (70' Shola Ameobi).
Subs: Anita, Haidara, Elliot, Obertan.
NEWCASTLE UTD 2 LIVERPOOL 2 (Cabaye, Dummett)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Cabaye (78' Sammy Ameobi), Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko (45' Dummett), Remy, Ben Arfa (78' Anita).
Subs: Cisse, Elliot, Obertan, Dummett.
CARDIFF CITY 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Remy 2)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye (86' Ben Arfa), Gouffran, Sissoko, Remy (71' Gutierrez), Cisse
Subs: Anita, Yanga-Mbiwa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
EVERTON 3 NEWCASTLE 2 (Cabaye, Remy)
Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa (46' Williamson), Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Anita (69' Cisse), Ben Arfa (46' Cabaye), Sissoko, Gouffran, Remy
Subs: Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
NEWCASTLE 2 HULL CITY 3 (Remy 2)
Krul, Debuchy (86' Tiote), Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Cabaye (62' Gouffran), Anita, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Cisse (73' Marveaux), Remy
Subs: Williamson, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
ASTON VILLA 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Ben Arfra, Gouffran)
Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Anita (74' Tiote), Cabaye (88' Sammy Ameobi), Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Remy (63' Gouffran), Cisse
Subs: Elliot, Marveaux, S Taylor, Dummett
NEWCASTLE 1 FULHAM 0 (Ben Arfa)
Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita 65' (Cabaye), Marveaux 74' (Remy), Shola Ameobi 65' (Gouffran), Cisse
Subs: Gosling, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
NEWCASTLE 0 WEST HAM 0
Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita, Marveaux 66' (Sammy Ameobi), Shola Ameobi, Cisse 72'
Subs: Gosling, Bigirimana, Elliot, Vuckic, Dummett
MAN CITY 4 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, S Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Sissoko, Tiote, Gouffran 45+4' (Dummett), Ben Arfa 65' (Sammy Ameobi), Gutierrez 44' (Anita), Cisse
Subs: Elliot, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Obertan
LEAGUE CUP
NEWCASTLE 0 MAN CITY 2 (AET)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara (45 Dummett, 80 Ben Arfa), Anita, Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko, Shola Ameobi (66 Cabaye), Cisse
Subs: Remy, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi
NEWCASTLE 2 LEEDS UTD 0 (Cisse, Gouffran)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Gouffran (90' Vuckic), Anita (80' Gosling), Tiote, Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Cisse (71' Obertan).
Subs: Ben Arfa, Yanga-Mbiwa, Bigirimana, Alnwick
MORECAMBE 0 NEWCASTLE 2 (Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi)
Elliot, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Good, Dummett, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux 88' (Sissoko), Vuckic 46' (Shola Ameobi), Sammy Ameobi, Gouffran 71' (Ben Arfa)
Subs: Santon, Anita, Alnwick, Streete
Newcastle United Fixtures
Saturday December 7
12:45 Premier League
Man Utd v Newcastle United
Saturday December 14
15:00 Premier League
Newcastle United v Southampton
Saturday December 21
15:00 Premier League
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Thursday December 26
15:00 Premier League
Newcastle United v Stoke City
Sunday December 29
13:30 Premier League
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Wednesday January 1 2014
15:00 Premier League
West Brom v Newcastle United