An own goal from John Heitinga and a goal by Ryan Taylor secured the win for the Magpies.
“It was one of those games today where we got disrupted,” Pardew told Sky Sports.
“We lost two key players, but the guys who came on did well. It shows another side of us – that we have strength in depth.
“They had their big guns come off the bench and come at us but we defended solidly. It was one of our best defensive performances.
“We had that disruption and we lost our rhythm but we kept the ball and were clever.”
“It’s great (to be second),” Pardew added.
“But I think Fergie will have some say later on. We had some great performances today.”
