Pardew: Eagles Call-up Has Lifted Ameobi's Game

Alan Pardew believes Nigeria call has done Shola Ameobi world of good.

The Newcastle United stiker scored his 77th goal for the club in Wednesday night’s 2-0 Capital One Cup win over Morecambe.

Ameobi, a second-half substitute, broke the deadlock six minutes before time.
And his young sibling Sammy put the game beyond Morecambe in injury time with only his second goal for the club.


Ameobi Snr has a chance of playing in next summer’s World Cup finals, and United manager Alan Pardew believes he’s got the bit between his teeth for club and country.

“He’s actually looked the best I have seen him in this pre-season,” Pardew told SportMail.

“I think the Nigeria selection has actually given him a boost - I can see that in his eyes.

“He is looking forward to the international coming up, and I think that’s benefited us.

“Sometimes we moan about that (international call-ups), but this time it’s been a bit of a lift for him and his confidence and everything. He was terrific in the second half.”

The Ameobi brothers made history by becoming the first siblings to both score in a game for the club, which has been drawn against Leeds United in the third round of the competition.

On Sammy’s performance, Pardew said: “I thought Sammy put in a really good display offensively and defensively. We have had problems with him defensively in the past.

“We have never doubted his talent, but he put it all together this pre-season and that was shown.

“I thought he was the difference between the two teams until Hatem (Ben Arfa) came on, who them really did open the game up for us.”