With the international break coming this week, the last thing we wanted was to dwell for two weeks on a defeat by the Mackems.
Sam Allardyce: "The most important thing here is not to lose the derby, we haven't and, in the circumstances, we are pleased.
"This was a game that we couldn't afford to lose - that would be unthinkable - and a point is important for Newcastle and for me.
Most Important Point Of Big Sam's Short Reign!
"You need to buy time with results, because this is an impatient business - that has been proved with the managers who have gone already.
"Are Newcastle's supporters impatient? Not if you're winning.
"Are Newcastle's supporters impatient? Not if you're winning.
"Martin O'Neill didn't win in 16 games last season (and he's still in a job) and that's what you need in your first year under new owners.
"Mike strikes me as a man who is committed to the club - just look at what he has spent here. He also seems to want to be enjoying it - I wasn't surprised he watched with the fans - and I'm all for that.
"It's up to me to help him do that. I'm just glad we scored at the end he was in. I'm working on a day-to-day basis with the chairman and we're building a great relationship at a rapid pace.
"We're over the blip, we've steadied the ship.
"We're going okay, although football managers are never satisfied. We've had a rough time. But we've come back and not allowed it to escalate. This will help to lift spirits.
"Good defensive play in the Premier League doesn't happen overnight when you've got new players.
"We're working on them as a unit and as individuals and they'll get better. The mistake we made might have cost us this game and it's something that we've got to overcome."