Liverpool's Steven Gerrard broke Alan Pardew’s heart with a late equaliser in the FA Cup final of 2006 with one of the greatest goals ever in the competition, before helping the Reds take a penalty shoot-out win over his old West Ham team.
Then he scored the goal to ruin Newcastle's hopes at Anfield last Friday.
However, Gerrard says that Pardew is doing a fine job with the black-and-whites.
Steven Gerrard: “Alan Pardew has the players well organised and they defend strongly.
“I think most people would go along with the suggestion that Newcastle have been the league’s surprise package so far.
“They went unbeaten in the first 11 games and it was only ended by Manchester City away from home.
“Even though they lost at Man City they performed well and could have been ahead.
“They then went to Man United and drew 1-1 after going a goal down – it shows they aren’t intimidated, no matter who or where they play.
“They’ve spent most of the first half of the season in and around the top four – which tells you they must be a good side who do a lot of things right.
“Alan Pardew has the players well organised and they defend strongly.
“It’s not easy to break them down. They’re very good at getting bodies in the way and their goalkeeper (Tim Krul) has also been playing well.”
“They’ve got one of the in-form strikers in Demba Ba. We know all about him after he played against us for West Ham and scored.”