The French playmaker signed for the Toon from French team Lille in June having been influential in Les Dogues title winning campaign, and the 25 year old hopes to be just as effective for Newcastle in the Premier League this season. Following Saturday's clash with Sunderland, Cabaye said that the entire United dressing room was focussed on victory before kick-off. Speaking to the Newcastle Evening Chronicle he said: "We went to Sunderland to win the game. "There were lots of good performances from our players, and it is always good to win the derby game because of what it means to the supporters. "I wanted to touch the ball more times and hope to in the next few games, but as I say, the main thing is we won and that the changing room was a happy place to be." The Frenchman found himself embroiled in a highly physical match, that he conceded was different to anything he had experienced in Ligue 1: "It is very, very different to games in France. "I have not experienced anything quite like this. "The style of the game and the speed is different too - it is all different to France. "It was not a good game to watch because there were a lot of tackles going in and the game stopped and started, but the most important thing is that we won the game." Cabaye has been amazed by the passion of the St James' Park faithful, and is proud that he and his team mates have been able to give Newcastle fans bragging rights over their fierce rivals: "The atmosphere was unbelievable along with the noise from our fans" enthused the France international: "Since I have been here, this is just normal behaviour - they're simply fantastic. "Now the fans can carry this result at Sunderland through the season. "They can fly the flag in the region because they are as you say top dogs. "It is our title until the next game we play against them in March next year."
