Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has insisted that no excuses can be made if his side fail to achieve a positive result in the next two matches.

The Magpies face a trip to Chelsea on Saturday before hosting Tottenham Hotspur next week, and Pardew has admitted that his team need an immediate response after losing 3-0 to Sunderland last weekend.

The 52-year-old told reporters: "It's an important period because we have got two really tough games, I think everybody would appreciate that

"However, we really do need to put a performance on the pitch that contains enthusiasm, desire and a real purpose, and that's what we are going to do."

Newcastle are currently in eighth position in the Premier League table.