Last-gasp Cisse shoots Newcastle towards safety

NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom (AFP) –

Fulham's Stanislav Manolev (L) vies with Newcastle United's Jonas Gutierrez in Newcastle, on April 7, 2013

Fulham’s Bulgarian defender Stanislav Manolev (L) vies with Newcastle United‘s Argentinian midfielder Jonas Gutierrez during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Fulham at St James’ Park in Newcastle, on April 7, 2013. Newcastle won 1-0.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew threw himself into the crowd after striker Papiss Cisse‘s stoppage-time goal earned his side a potentially vital 1-0 victory at home to Fulham on Sunday.

Cisse slammed home from Yohan Cabaye’s shot in the 93rd minute to send Newcastle six points clear of the relegation places with six games of the season remaining. Fulham remain 10th.

It had looked destined to be a frustrating afternoon for the hosts, who were denied by the frame of the goal on three occasions, and Pardew’s relief was evident as he celebrated Cisse’s goal by leaping in among the Newcastle fans.

Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov was bidding to score for the fifth Premier League game in succession and he came close with a 20-yard effort that narrowly cleared the crossbar in the fourth minute.

Newcastle centre-back Steven Taylor headed a Moussa Sissoko cross over before Cisse chanced his arm from long range with a curler that sailed narrowly wide.

The best chance of the first half fell to Fulham’s Stanislav Manolev, but his close-range effort was superbly kept out by Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

Vurnon Anita came within inches of giving Newcastle the lead early in the second half, but his deflected shot from 25 yards landed on top of Mark Schwarzer’s crossbar.

The woodwork continued to thwart the home side, with Yoan Gouffran heading a corner against the post and Cisse striking the same upright with his follow-up.

At the other end, Krul produced another eye-catching save to deny Berbatov from a John Arne Riise free-kick.

As the nervousness in St James’ Park grew, a goalless stalemate seemed inevitable, only for Senegal international Cisse to pounce at the death and send his side streaking up the table to 13th place.