Huntington: Scoring Was Special

By Nick Raynor
January 16 2007

Newcastle's unlikely goal hero Paul Huntington has spoke of erasing the bad memories of Birmingham.

Huntington played at centre-back against Birmingham in the FA Cup, a game which Newcastle drew 2-2 and Huntington played poorly.

But the 19-year-old is happy that his performance, and first equaliser in Newcastle's 3-2 win over Tottenham, made up for his errors against the Blues.

Huntington said:

"Centre-back is an important position and I know I wasn't good enough at Birmingham.

"The manager told me in the changing room (at Tottenham) that I responded well which is what I was looking to do.

"It was a relief for me because I have been waiting a while. To pull the shirt on is a dream, to be honest, but to score and help the team win is special.

"It wasn't just the goal it was the team's all-round play on the day.

"It was a great feeling and good to get it out of the way. My colleague David Edgar got his two weeks ago against Manchester United and now I am pleased to join him. The ball just broke me to and I hit it as hard as I could.

"I am getting used to first-team life, I just want to stay in the team. Celestine Babayaro is out so I have a chance at left-back.

"Tottenham isn't an easy place to come and win and now we have done the double over them, which is great. To come away with three points is a great feeling."