Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has stated that Sunderland’s heavy-handed nature in the Tyne-Wear derby was intended to upset his team, after the rivals drew 1-1 at the Sports Direct Arena on Sunday.
A Nicklas Bendtner penalty gave the Black cats the lead at half-time, but feisty challenges from both sides made it an aggressive and hard-fought first 45 minutes.
It didn’t look like it was the Geordies’ day after Demba Ba missed from the penalty spot with less than ten minutes remaining, but Shola Ameobi equalised at the death to salvage a point for the hosts.
Stephane Sessegnon was given a red card in the encounter, whilst Lee Cattermole was also dismissed after the final whistle; Pardew has slammed Sunderland’s wild approach.
“In the first half Sunderland came here to upset us and Cattermole set the scene, it was ugly,” Pardew told Sky Sports.
“Luckily we got to half-time and got into our players about calming down and playing the game.
“We put them under pressure and sometimes people crack. And when Sessegnon was sent off it was all us,” he continued.
Pardew went on to praise home-grown hero Ameobi after the striker grabbed a later leveller.
“The goalscorer says everything about Newcastle United. He is a legend to me,” the coach concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
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