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Magpies salvage draw with Cats
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By Agencies
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![In an entertaining derby, Sunderland and Newcastle couldn't be separated after 90 minutes [AFP]](http://mwcnews.net/images/stories/Global2/1/2/3/4/Magpies.jpg "In an entertaining derby, Sunderland and Newcastle couldn't be separated after 90 minutes [AFP]") | | In an entertaining derby, Sunderland and Newcastle couldn't be separated after 90 minutes [AFP] |
Newcastle snatched a 1-1 draw against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby after James Milner's fortunate equaliser in the 65th minute cancelled out Danny Higginbotham's 52nd minute effort for the home side at the Stadium of Light.
Sam Allardyce's side were outplayed for long periods and fell behind to Higginbotham's second half header, but Sunderland were denied a first home victory over their local rivals in 27 years when Milner's cross somehow eluded everyone and crept in at the far post just after the hour mark. Newcastle will be relieved to emerge unscathed after another lacklustre display, while Sunderland, who are now without a win in seven matches, may feel hard done by.
Roy Keane has insisted he doesn't want to keep bemoaning his team's brave but unrewarded performances, but this was another unlucky story for the Black Cats.
"The beauty of the Premiership is if you don't take your chances it will come back to haunt you and that's what happened," Keane said after the match. "We can talk all day about luck but the players had the chances. We keep getting these lessons in the Premiership." Roy Keane, Sunderland manager
"That will only change with experience. We've got a lot of players who haven't played in the Premiership before. These are lessons you have to learn and you have to learn them quickly."
Sunderland had lost their last five matches against Newcastle and the bitter memories of those defeats ensured a raucous atmosphere as the home fans thirsted for revenge.
Joey Barton was lucky to escape punishment on the stroke of half-time after an ugly studs-up, stomach-high lunge on Sunderland's Dickson Etuhu.
Sunderland squander lead
Mike Ashley, Newcastle owner, had chosen to sit with his club's supporters and must have been squirming in his seat as his side went behind just after half-time.
Kenwyne Jones took a quick corner to Grant Leadbitter and his cross picked out Higginbotham at the far post, with the Sunderland defender completely unchallenged as he powered a header past Steve Harper for his first goal of the season.
Wild celebrations followed but Sunderland were too caught up in the euphoria and instead of going for the kill they lost their way. Newcastle sensed an escape route and took it in the 65th minute when Milner exchanged passes with Barton before cutting into the penalty area and curling a low cross that trickled in at the far post.
Sunderland threw everything at the Newcastle goal in the dying stages without reward, and Michael Chopra had a final chance to win it when he met Ian Harte's corner with a header that rattled the bar.
Newcastle manager Allardyce was relieved to avoid defeat after a disappointing recent run.
"We deserved it because of our response after we went a goal down. It was what I was looking for from the start," Allardyce said.
"Their goal was disappointing. We can't afford to keep giving silly mistakes away."
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Tags: Magpies Cats
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