Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has insisted that his team are proud of their efforts in today's Wear-Tyne derby.
Krul returned to the Newcastle side that drew with bitter rivals Sunderland after more than a month out with an elbow injury suffered on international duty.
Despite being ahead for more than 70 minutes a point was all Alan Pardew's men took home from the Stadium of Light thanks to a late equaliser.
The Dutch keeper thinks that Newcastle are entitled to view the result as a point gained after playing the majority of the match with ten men, following Cheick Tiote's dismissal for a late lunge.
He told the club's official website: "I'm really proud of us, of the whole team. I think we see this as a win to be honest.
"Of course we're disappointed (to concede) because if you're 1-0 up and you've played so well for 60 minutes with ten men it's hard to take.
"But at the end of the day when everything's settled down we see this as a good result, especially with the lads working their socks off for each other again. I think that's what put us through last year, the spirit, and I've seen today that we've got the spirit back."
The Magpies return to European action in their next match when they host Club Brugge in their third match in the Europa League group stage.
Liam Power
