Pardew will be allowed time, no matter what the atmosphere on the terraces after his team showed spirit to fight back from two goals down against Hull and rescue a point
Alan Pardew will be given more time by owner Mike Ashley after emerging strengthened from his fan-power trial.
Pardew has striker Papiss Cisse fit again and he struck scored twice to rescue a point for Newcastle. His previous two goals took 30 games.
The planned demonstration against the Toon boss ended up being isolated to a few thousand holding up posters calling for him to be sacked, the odd chant, and booing when Pardew caught the ball in the technical area.
The players who looked so limp against Southampton a week earlier showed they are still playing for their manager.
There was a bizarre moment when Cisse ran to high-five Pardew in celebration of his equaliser, prompting booing among the joy.
A home draw against Hull is not much to shout about – these games must be won. However Pardew’s men showed backbone, spirit and decent build-up play to give hope of improvements ahead.
A message from Ashley came via a confidant. Pardew will be allowed time, no matter what the atmosphere on the terraces.
He was not given a long-term contract for nothing, and knew there would be “dark moments”. Ashley has no appetite for upheaval and will be as loyal as possible. He points to Newcastle having had 18 managers in the last 30 years – none of whom won anything – and wants to change that short-term culture.
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It seems likely there will be a review of results in a couple of months.
Perhaps Toon fans realised Ashley was not for turning as they stuck with their team at 2-0 down, a moment when St James’ Park could have gone into meltdown.
Cisse’s return after a broken knee-cap looking sprightly and hungry is an important factor.
He played with a head-cold and just five days training behind him, but ended up the hero, dedicating his moment to team-mate Jonas Gutierrez who revealed his cancer battle this week.
Cisse said: “On Friday night I spoke to Jonas and he told me to get a goal. So those goals were for him – and the gaffer too.
“I know it’s been very, very hard for the boss this week, but Jonas’s news puts it into perspective.
“The gaffer said we had to be disciplined and work hard together as a team. We had to forget everything else and concentrate on the pitch and play football.
“I didn’t think I’d be playing. I started training on Tuesday. Then, on Friday, the gaffer said, ‘I think I’ll put you on the bench because you look right and good’. And I was OK. He put me on the bench and then I scored two. I’m happy.”
Cisse struck twice in 14 minutes late on after a spectacular overhead kick from Nikica Jelevic and Mo Diame’s brilliant 25-yard shot gave Hull a second-half lead.
Tigers boss Steve Bruce said the draw “felt like a defeat”.
Gallery: Newcastle fans' protest
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