Rafa Pleased With Magpies' Reaction

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez says he was happy with the reaction of his players after they recovered from going a goal down to earn a draw with Sunderland on Sunday.

Jermain Defoe's opener just before half-time had put Sam Allardyce's side ahead in the Tyne-Wear derby, but Aleksandar Mitrovic's late header ensured United picked up a point.

And, after taking charge of his first home game at St. James' Park, Benitez expressed his satisfaction with how his players responded after Defoe's first half strike put them behind.

"To get just one point, I'm not very happy, but the way that we got the point really pleased with the reaction of the players and the fans," he said.

"We didn't play to the level that I was expecting in the first half, but the reaction was so good and that's very positive.

"In the situation that we are in in the table, to see the reaction of the players, the way that we were playing the second half, was really pleasing, and hopefully we can keep this momentum for the next games.

"I think (Mitrovic's goal) was really important for everyone here. The first fan to the last one, people in the dressing room - everybody needed a goal like this and a reaction like that."

With the Tyne-Wear derby going the Black Cats' way at the break, former Real Madrid manager Benitez said that making sure his charges took to the field after the break with a greater level of confidence was key.

And the Spaniard admitted that there was "frustration" in the Magpies' changing room after the game as they couldn't convert their late pressure into a winning goal.

"I think that we made two or three fouls that we didn't have to do it, and that was the main thing. It allows them to play the ball into the box, win the second balls and then play the game that they like to play," he said.

"I couldn't show them I was really angry (at half time) - it was more about managing the situation. We weren't doing the best first half, we had some chances and they had some chances, and then we conceded at the end.

"I had to give them confidence and I had to give them an idea of how to play, how to deal with the situation in the second half, and I think that they did really well.

"At full-time, it was much better because there had been a bit of frustration because we could do better. The last minute, we were pushing and pushing and we could have won the game, but we didn't have too much time," he continued. "I try to take the positives. You cannot be talking about the negatives all the time because it will change nothing."

And after his first experience of a Tyne-Wear derby, Benitez enthused about the "passionate fans" that created a fantastic atmosphere at St. James' Park.

"I like these kind of games, when the stadium is like this - full of passionate fans. I think that this is good for the game," he said.