Cissé started against Everton alongside Shola Ameobi and scored a header in the second minute in a 2–1 defeat on 2 January 2013. Cissé scored a spectacular 25-yard volley in Newcastle's 4–2 win over Southampton on 24 February, helping the club come from behind to secure a crucial victory over fellow relegation strugglers. Cissé scored an injury time winner at home to Stoke City on 10 March, sending Newcastle into 13th place. On 14 March, in the second leg Europa League Round of 16 tie at home to Anzhi Makhachkala, Cissé headed in a 94th-minute winner as Newcastle progressed to the quarter-finals with a 1–0 aggregate victory.