Alan Pardew: “The fans at the end were brilliant.
“We’ve taken a club with great tradition and history back where it belongs – to the top of the division.
“Now the task is to try to finish it off, and then next year to try to stay there. It won’t be easy.
“It was a nice moment on a lovely day.
“The only thing that spoiled it was the result.
“We unveiled the statue for our fans, and the sun was out.
“The way the game was conducted was good, too. There was a great spirit to the game and great honour from both teams.
“The fans gave us the respect, and we have them it back too.
“The only down side was that we got beat.”