Rafa Benitez chose Moussa Sissoko as his Newcastle captain in Saturdays 3-0 win over Swansea due to his big influence over the French contingent in the squad. Sissoko played a key role in the impressive home victory and he repaid the managers faith by finding the net for the first time this season.I wanted to give Sissoko some confidence, Benitez said. We also have a lot of players who talk French and Sissoko has big influence with them. They see him as a big name. So, if hes performing well, they will follow him.The introduction of Sissoko as captain meant Jonjo Shelvey dropped to the bench against his former club Swansea, but the midfielder refused to criticise his new boss. Rafa Benitez praised the Newcastle fans for supporting his players after they beat Swansea 3-0 at St James Park I was a bit surprised and frustrated to be left out against my old club, but I think he [Benitez] knows what hes doing, Shelvey said.Its going to be tough but weve got real belief now, the midfielder added. Jonjo Shelvey started on the bench against Swansea Newcastle will be looking to pick up more crucial points in there next game against an in-form Manchester City on Tuesday night at St James Park, live on Sky Sports 1.City are exceptional but, if we press them high up the pitch, like we did against Swansea, well get chances, Shelvey said. Also See: Newcastles woeful run vs City Win stirs Townsends belief Transfer Centre LIVE! Becks best Sky Sports moments Puma Shoes Nz Sale . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Cheap Puma Shoes Nz . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. http://www.pumaoutletnz.com/ . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. Buy Puma Shoes Nz . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Puma Shoes Online Clearance Sale . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. Western Force fullback Dane Haylett-Petty has apologised to his teammates and the public for urinating in a Bloemfontein hotel hallway last week.Both Pek Cowan and Haylett-Petty were fined $5000 and served with breach notices by the ARU after it was deemed they broke the Australian Rugby player code of conduct following the 30-29 loss to the Cheetahs on July 2.Cowan went into the bad books for gaining unauthorised access to a team vehicle after the 1am curfew last Sunday.A drunken Haylett-Petty urinated in the hallway of the teams Bloemfontein hotel after being locked out of his room.The 27-year-old was also involved in a heated play fight with his brother in which a vase was broken.Haylett-Petty paid for the broken vase and apologised to hotel management for the urinating incident the next day.The Wallabies newcomer put in a strong performance during Saturday nights 22-3 loss to the Stormers in Perth, and he made an on-field apology after the match.I was very disappointed with the way I acted and let the team down, Haylett-Petty told Fox Sports.Im really looking forward to trying to make up for it. Hopefully my actions speak louder than my words.Interim coach Dave Wessels revealed Haylett-Petty also fronted his teammates during the week to apologise.Ive been lucky enouugh to know Dane for a very long time, and Pek as well.dddddddddddd And theyre both outstanding human beings, Wessels said.Dane in particular has been very embarrassed and very apologetic all week.For him, its just a one-off mistake. Its important people understand its certainly not a trend. Dane is a very special part of this team.Winger Luke Morahan, who captained the Force against the Stormers after Cowan was stripped of his leadership duties, said the players have forgiven both Cowan and Haylett-Petty.They apologised and we accepted that, and we moved on pretty quickly as a group. Morahan said.Force chief executive Mark Sinderberry described the actions of Cowan and Haylett-Petty as out of character.The off-field misbehaviour comes just a month after the ARU formed an alliance with the Force in a bid to save the struggling Perth-based franchise from going under.Force coach Michael Foley was sacked soon after the alliance was formed because of the teams poor run of results.The Force (2-12) sit last in the Australian conference, but theyre aiming to finish their season on a high when they take on the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night. ' ' '