Alan Pardew says Newcastle United deserved their last minute equaliser at Chelsea

Alan Pardew, Newcastle United

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Alan Pardew believes his Newcastle United side were good value for their point at second placed Chelsea.

A stoppage time equaliser from Steven Taylor was enough to earn a 2-2 draw as the visitors twice came behind against the team that has just lost its Premier League title to Manchester United.

After the match, Pardew said he was pleased that his side’s positive play had been rewarded and that he felt his side were worthy of their point.

“I was trying to set the team up with a positive view on the game, we could hurt Chelsea, we just needed to stick to the game plan,” he told reporters.

“I was thrilled by younger players’ performances, it was a just result.”

With just one match left of the season, at home to West Brom next week, Pardew is already looking forward to the challenge next season.

He has begun to think about expanding his squad in the summer, but admitted he was pleased with the performances given by some of the younger players on show at Stamford Bridge.

He added: “Newcastle is a big, big club, we want to attract big players and bring a few younger players in.

“I think the focus is to try and beat West Brom, if we beat them we jump above them then there’s the possibility of a top ten finish.

It’s outstanding considering we lost Carroll and Ben Arfa through injuries and the suspensions. The staff are very resilient, and never give up.

“When you get a performance and young players entering the field of play at this club it gives them a great start.

“Ferguson, Lua Lua, Ameobi and Ryan Taylor playing out of position, and experienced players did well.

“The two centre halves were outstanding, you can’t get a result at Chelsea unless you’ve got very good players.

“Whilst youth contributed, our senior players were outstanding.

“The next stage for us – we have fans who are in great voice day, outstanding support we always get, we can’t take that for granted, we’ve got to give them hope and belief.”

With £35 million generated from the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool, Pardew is on the look-out for a new striker, although in a light-hearted exchange he dismissed any chance of signing Didier Drogba from Chelsea, who it is thought might leave the club.

Pardew joked: “I’m a big fan of Didier, but I don’t think I’ll entice him to the north-east. It’s a bit cold for him at this stage of his career.
 
“Some set the example of others to follow, he’s done that. He’s an outstanding player for Chelsea.”