Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has heralded the return of the "exciting times" at the club as the Magpies remain in the hunt for a Champions League berth this season.
Alan Pardew's men comfortably dispatched lowly Crystal Palace by a 3-0 scoreline at Selhurst Park on Saturday, with Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and an own goal from Danny Gabbidon securing the points.
As a result, the North-East outfit are four points adrift of fourth-placed Everton in the Premier League table at Christmas, and Krul is relishing the club's festive fixtures with Stoke City and Arsenal respectively in a bid to retain their momentum.
He told the club's official website: "We are over the moon. It is a quick recovery for Thursday but what a confidence boost and we can keep looking up.
"You have so many games, this was the first of five in two weeks. It is exciting times, especially when you win like that and now I'm looking forward to two home games."
Newcastle host the Potters at St James's Park on Boxing Day, before welcoming Arsenal to Tyneside three days later.
Shane Callaghan
