Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was happy that his team executed the gameplan and remained disciplined in Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Manchester City.
The Magpies' first victory at the Etihad Stadium put them through to the Capital One Cup quarterfinals, where a trip to Tottenham awaits.
Pardew said his side were never intimidated against the Premier League power.
"We don't ever come not to win. We had a gameplan," Pardew said. "The players needed to execute it but I couldn't ask for more than they gave me. It was outstanding in discipline and the way they carried the threat all night.
"The pace in wide areas is something that I think is an asset for us."
Pardew also hailed the performance of defender Ryan Taylor, who not only returned to action after a two-year absence with a knee injury but was actually one of the most influential players on the pitch.
The 30-year-old, who created the first goal and almost set up another in a highly-energetic performance, had been sidelined since August 2012.
"Obviously he was outstanding," Pardew said of Taylor. "Professional footballers sometimes get a bad press for the way they conduct themselves and their professionalism but you are talking about a guy who for two years has been injured and conducted himself in the best possible manner.
"He came in with a smile on his face, encouraged players in those two years. He got his reward because of that professionalism. He has only had one and a half reserve games and to play like he did was absolutely outstanding and a credit to himself.
"Our staff have been very impressed with his conduct. He is a beacon of light in professional football. We are delighted we have been able to give him a platform but he had 10 good players around him and we couldn't have asked for more."
On a light note, Pardew's post-match news conference was bizarrely interrupted by the piping in of conversation from elsewhere in the stadium over the sound system.
He joked: "Manchester City are doing this on purpose because we won!"