Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has insisted that his team are still in good shape to be in mix for a European qualification place, despite their defeat to West Ham United.
The Magpies saw their streak of five straight wins in the top flight ended by Sam Allardyce's side as a strike from Aaron Cresswell condemned them to defeat at Upton Park.
However, Pardew is confident that his side can bounce back over the busy festive period and maintain their good form.
He told reporters: "I think there is going to be a lot of chopping and changing right up until the end of the season. We hope that we are at the right end. I said to the team that the first goal in the Premier League is so important when the platform is so tight, which it was between the two teams.
"We have won games against Liverpool and Spurs where it could have gone against us. We are thankful they didn't on those occasions but we can't be disappointed.
"We would have liked to have played a little bit better than we did but the most important thing is to now to get the next result. When we finished fifth, when I have had really good teams in the past, we have bounced back quickly."
Newcastle are ninth in the Premier League after 13 matches this season.
Simon Sinclair
