On 11 November, he scored with a header against Foresta Fălticeni giving his team a 4–0 lead in the 47th minute, only to receive five goals in the last 30 minutes of play and Dinamo lose the game 4–5. Despite the team was struggling in the championship, he was having an excellent run continuing to score against Universitatea Craiova and a brace against Astra Ploieşti. On 30 November, he converted a controversial penalty against Rapid Bucureşti, helping his team to qualify in the Romanian Cup semi-finals. He was selected by the fans "Dinamo Player of the Year", gaining 58% of the votes. In March 2001, Niculae continued where he left off the previous year, netting against FC Naţional and Rapid Bucureşti from the penalty spot. He helped his team to reach the Romanian Cup final, netting in both legs of the semi-finals against Sportul Studenţesc, Dinamo claiming a 5–3 win on aggregate. On 14 April, Niculae scored his first league hat-trick against Gaz Metan Mediaş, in a 4–2 home win. In May, Niculae continued his quest for the Golden Boot, scoring three more goals against FCM Bacău, Petrolul Ploieşti and Ceahlăul Piatra Neamţ, taking his league tally of goals up to 17. On 19 May, he scored twice against Gloria Bistriţa in a 3–1 home win. On 9 June, he scored in a 3–1 win against Universitatea Craiova, ending his tally of goals at 20, just enough for him to win the Golden Boot. He ended up second in the league with Dinamo, managing to play in 27 games. On 16 June, he scored a brace against Rocar Bucureşti in the Romanian Cup final, helping his team to claim the trophy after winning 4–2. Niculae dedicated his goals to former team captain Cătălin Hîldan, who died on the pitch in a friendly match against FC Olteniţa on 5 October 2000. After the match, he stated: "We played this game thinking of Cătălin Hîldan, in his memory. I dedicate the goals I've scored to Cătălin and his family".