Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce left the Stadium of Light a relieved man today, pleased that his team had stopped the rot of two consecutive defeats with a point at the home of their local rivals.
After the 1-1 draw with Sunderland, the one-time Roker defender said: "It's important not to lose a derby and we haven't.
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Keane rues missed opportunity."Under the circumstances, with our poor away form, I've got to be happy.
"This really was a game we couldn't afford to lose and to come back from a goal down for the first time this season is pleasing.
"Sunderland outmuscled us and outbattled us in the first half.
"They put pressure on us with Kenwyne Jones, who is a difficult player to handle and there's no doubt that the first half was theirs.
"But they lack a cutting edge at the moment – something I saw at Man City – and that was what was so disappointing to me about their goal because I thought we made it far too easy for them.
"I thought we all but let them have it."
* More reaction from Sam Allardyce in tonight's Football Echo
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