Pardew: I feared axe

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has admitted he feared the sack after head-butting Hull midfielder David Meyler.

The 52-year-old was this week handed a three-match stadium ban and a further four-match touchline suspension after admitting a Football Association misconduct charge.

Pardew was also fined £60,000 (€72,000), some £40,000 (€48,000) less than the punishment imposed on him by his club within hours of the incident at the KC Stadium on March 1.