NICK Pope insists he is just playing his part in a strong team unit after saving his first Premier League penalty.

It was a night to remember for the 25-year-old at St James’ Park as he pulled off what he labelled as his best save yet in a Burnley shirt when he turned Kenedy’s shot onto the post.

He was then the hero from 12 yards denying Joselu but Pope believes that is all in a day’s work.

“There are 11 of us out there and we all play our part. We all know we’re a team and it’s a great togetherness that we have,” he said.

“We’re all out there to do our jobs individually and then stick together as a team. Maybe it swings the game’s momentum sometimes with a penalty save or a save like that so it’s nice to contribute.”

Pope felt the penalty awarded to Newcastle was ‘soft’, with Phil Bardsley bringing down Kenedy, but he pushed away the spot-kick.

He said: “From my angle it looked soft, I thought he got the ball. I managed to get it though so I’m delighted.

“As a goalkeeper you can’t really score goals so those are your moments. I’m happy to help.

“I have a little look (at penalty takers) in the days leading up to the game just to see what’s going on. At the end of the day you pick a side, you guess and you go for it really. That’s what I did and happily I guessed right.”

But his penalty save wasn’t the highlight of his personal night, with the flying finger-tip save to keep Kenedy’s effort out topping it.

“It’s taken a nick off Longy and I’ve stretched as far as I can. I’ve managed to get a little touch on it and it’s hit the post and stayed out. I needed every inch to stop that,” he added.

“I think it’s one of my best. I’ll have to watch it back. I enjoyed it; it felt good. Hopefully I’ll get a few replays of it.

“You can be under the cosh in moments in every game so to go in 0-0 at half-time gave us a boost when we went out for the second half.”

Those saves were a further confidence boost for Pope who continues to impress in the absence of injured captain Tom Heaton.

“I’ve managed to come in and enjoy it. I’ve come in to a great team and I’m playing for a great club,” he added.

“I’m building every week and adding layers to my game.

“I’m growing in confidence with every week that goes by and the games keep coming. I’ve just been taking it a game at a time so I’ve just got to keep continuing with that.”