Yanga-Mbiwa was preferred to Steven Taylor in defence after captain Coloccini was given compassionate leave.
Taylor's agent has been very vocal in recent months, suggesting the former England Under-21 international will put in a transfer request if he continues to spend the season sat on the bench.
Coloccini was allowed to return to his native Argentina on the eve of the Premier League game because of a family bereavement.
Newcastle won 4-1 at the KC Stadium to move within two points of seventh-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand.
And the performance of Yanga-Mbiwa alongside Mike Williamson heartened United manager Pardew, who says he will take his showing “into consideration” when he selects his starting XI for the club’s visit to Fulham on March 15.
Alan Pardew: “It didn’t disrupt things too much because Mapou was with us, and it was one for one.
“The best thing in those circumstances was the guys who played to produce a top performance, which they did.
“It’s given an opportunity to Mapou, which he’s taken.
“I’ll take that into consideration when I pick my next team, obviously.
“I took Mapou over Steven because I think Steven is a little bit uncomfortable on the left. He prefers Willo’s channel.
“So I made the decision after the Spurs game that – Mapou and Colo on the left side, and Willo and Tayls will contest the right side.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more from Mapou. He was terrific.”