The Magpies produced a much-improved display to see off West Ham United at St. James’ Park, with Joselu and Aleksandar Mitrović on target either side of a Clark header.
Both Newcastle and the Hammers had yet to get off the mark ahead of the clash, with Slaven Bilić’s side propping up the Premier League table following defeats to Manchester United and Southampton.
But, from the moment Spanish frontman Joselu opened the scoring late in the first half, it was only ever the Magpies who looked like prevailing – although Clark did have to produce a superb last-ditch clearance to boot a Javier Hernández effort away from goal just after the break.
And, with a fortnight to go until the top-flight campaign gets back underway, the defender – who joins up with Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland squad this week – acknowledged that the last thing the Magpies needed was another slip-up.
“Both ourselves and West Ham were in the same position. For us, we wanted to make sure we got some points on the board, we were aiming for the win, we wanted to go out there and put on a performance, and that’s what we did,” he told nufc.co.uk.
“This week, we’ve kept working hard in training and we’ve tried to take that into the game today. We’re going into the international break now, and those that are here can enjoy it, and when we come back, we have to make sure we push on and get a few more decent results.
“Last season, we had that momentum – we were going into every game really positively, challenging for the Championship, but this is a totally different league. It’s probably one of the toughest leagues in the world, we’re playing against the best players, but we want to keep improving and see how we get on.”
Key to the Magpies’ first three-point haul of the season was the showing of recent signing Joselu, with Clark quick to pay tribute to the Spaniard after the game.
“He’s a big, strong lad, he works hard, and he managed to hold the ball up a lot of the time, which is obviously good for us as it helps the team get up the pitch,” he said. “He’s an outlet to hit off goal-kicks, as well, and when we do need to go longer, he can obviously win those headers, and we can get up the pitch and win the second ball.
“I’m pleased for him and I’m pleased he got his goal. Hopefully we can all kick on now and improve.”
