Emmanuel Riviere can guide Newcastle back to finishing form after breaking his six-game duck in a 3-2 Capital One Cup victory at Crystal Palace, according to Alan Pardew.
France Under-21 striker Riviere claimed a brace for his first Newcastle goals as the visitors edged past Palace thanks to Paul Dummett's extra-time header.
Dwight Gayle handed Palace the lead from the spot before Riviere turned the tide, only for teenage debutant Sullay Kaikai to level in second-half injury time.
Manager Pardew tipped Riviere and Papiss Cisse, who netted twice in the weekend's 2-2 draw with Hull, to boost Newcastle's ailing goal return.
"Anyone who has seen us play this year will know the top of the pitch has been an issue for us," said Pardew.
"We've just not had that cutting edge.
"So perhaps the two goals on Saturday and two tonight is a big lift for the club.
"I'm so pleased for Manu, he's worked tirelessly this season, and he deserves those goals.
"That will give him a real lift."
Newcastle's reward for edging home in south London is a fourth-round trip to Manchester City after the Premier League champions blitzed Sheffield Wednesday 7-0.
Former Palace star Pardew admitted he relished his Selhurst Park return, hailing full-back Dummett's late far-post header that stole the tie.
Pardew tipped Dummett to prove to the Tyneside public he can cut it at the highest level, and battle with Massadio Haidara for regular first team action.
"Paul's a local lad and he's having to prove to the Newcastle public that he's good enough, it's hard for players to come through the academy these days," he said.
"Sadio gets a bit more glamour than Paul, but Paul does what it says on the tin.
"He's a tough tackler, good in the air, getting better going forward.
"How he's ended up in the middle of the goal at that time, I don't know."
Palace boss Neil Warnock praised young academy graduate Kaikai for his smartly-taken debut goal, and hailed his side's grit after making 11 changes from the side that pulled off a fine 3-2 league win at Everton on Sunday.
The 19-year-old fired home at the second attempt after Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot parried his initial shot.
"I've only seen him a couple of times, but I'd just felt we'd nothing to lose," said Warnock.
"He scored a couple of good 'uns in the week I came in another game.
"He's always likely to score a goal.
"If young lads do well they deserve a chance.
"I couldn't possibly have played anyone who had played Everton because of the amount of work we did up there.
"We can't get carried away with it all just yet, he's very young and working hard in our set-up.
"But it's great for him to have a chance and to take that opportunity."
Source: PA
