NEWCASTLE United fans showed Demba Ba just what he’ll be missing at Stamford Bridge – on and off the pitch.
That’s the verdict of Alan Pardew after Satuday’s remarkable win over Ba’s new club Chelsea.
The striker quit the club in last month’s transfer window.
And Ba – who suffered a broken nose – had a forgettable first return to St James’s Park.
The 27-year-old was given a bloody nose by former team-mate Fabricio Coloccini, and didn’t last the first half.
Ba – jeered by United supporters – had to watch from the sidelines as Newcastle came from behind to win 3-2 in dramatic fashion.
The noise inside St James’s Park was comparable to that when Pardew’s side came back from four goals down to draw 4-4 with Arsenal two seasons ago.
And Pardew doesn’t think Ba will experience that kind of atmosphere anywhere else.
“It was unbelievable,” Pardew told the Gazette.
“That’s what we’ve got. Demba’s going to miss it at Chelsea, trust me.”
All too often this season, United have started slowly at home. Not on Saturday.
Pardew’s side – who went behind in the second half after goals from Frank Lampard and Juan Mata wiped out Jonas Gutierrez’s opener – were roared on by fans.
And the atmosphere late on as Moussa Sissoko struck twice rivalled that when the club famously drew 4-4 with Arsenal.
“I’ve been at some big clubs where you don’t get an atmosphere like that,” added Pardew.
“Big, big clubs. Even at Manchester United. You can go to three quarters of their home games and you don’t get an atmosphere like that.
“It’s unbelievable when it’s like that. It’s our duty to get ourselves in that position.
“We did that. It was a really outstanding performance.”
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