Steve Bruce admits he feared that Newcastle United’s late collapse would come back to “bite” his side.
But after an energy sapping win at the London Stadium, the Magpies held on for the victory that keeps them away from the bottom three.
After the 3-2 win Bruce paid tribute to his players following his second away win as boss.
Bruce said: “When I look back on it, that could have been four or five.
“That would have been a truer reflection when you look at the chances we had at this level.
“In the end you are thinking is it going to bite you?
“Unfortunately we had to try hard not for it to come back and bite us.
“That would have been an injustice because even in the first half we caused a threat.
“It’s what we have been after because even the front three, who have been criticised, were excellent at times.
“Even though they didn’t score a goal they did everything else and I’m particularly pleased for them.”
Bruce was delighted with his front three of Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron , despite another game without a goal.
He said: “As I’ve said it takes time.
“For the lads coming into the team it’s not easy for them to just adapt.
“The big thing is in the Premier League we know what it entails.
“For Allan Saint-Maximin it’s only his fourth game and you can see that.
“Almiron and Joelinton caused a threat and if they can play like that and we can get the other side right we will be OK.”
