Emmanuel Riviere can guide Newcastle United back to finishing form after breaking his six-game drought in a 3-2 Capital One Cup victory at Crystal Palace, according to Alan Pardew.
France under-21 striker Riviere claimed a brace for his first Newcastle goals as the visitors edged past Palace thanks to Paul Dummett's extra-time header.
Dwight Gayle handed Palace the lead from the spot before Riviere turned the tide, only for teenage debutant Sullay Kaikai to level in second-half injury time.
Newcastle manager Pardew tipped Riviere and Papiss Cisse, who netted twice in the weekend's 2-2 draw with Hull, to boost the club's ailing goal return.
"Anyone who has seen us play this year will know the top of the pitch has been an issue for us,'' said Pardew. "We've just not had that cutting edge. So perhaps the two goals on Saturday and two tonight is a big lift for the club.
"I'm so pleased for Manu, he's worked tirelessly this season, and he deserves those goals. That will give him a real lift.''
Newcastle's reward for edging home in south London is a fourth-round trip to Manchester City after the Premier League champions blitzed Sheffield Wednesday 7-0.
Former Palace star Pardew admitted he relished his Selhurst Park return, hailing full-back Dummett's late far-post header that stole the tie.
Pardew tipped Dummett to prove to the Tyneside public he can cut it at the highest level, and battle with Massadio Haidara for regular first team action.
"Paul's a local lad and he's having to prove to the Newcastle public that he's good enough. It's hard for players to come through the academy these days,'' he said. "Sadio gets a bit more glamour than Paul, but Paul does what it says on the tin.
"He's a tough tackler, good in the air, getting better going forward. How he's ended up in the middle of the goal at that time, I don't know.''