Tiote Content With Clarets Point

By Tom Easterby

Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote insists a point was a good result for the Magpies after they drew 3-3 at home against Burnley on Thursday.

Moussa Sissoko's 78th-minute strike looked to have given United all three points at St. James' Park but a late effort from the Clarets' George Boyd denied John Carver's men the win.

Ivorian enforcer Tiote, who will join up with his country ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations following Saturday's FA Cup tie at Leicester City, believes a draw was a decent outcome for his side, given Burnley's dominance after the break.

"I think we're happy with the one point we got today because in the first half we dominated the game, doing everything, but the second was different and we didn't do the things we'd been doing in the first half," he told nufc.co.uk.

"The second half wasn't good enough for us, and after that Burnley came back into the game and scored.

"We created a lot of chances in the first half and we should have scored more than the two goals. I think if that was the case in the first half and we scored three or four, the game would be different in the second half.

"We just have to take the point we got today and think about the next game on Saturday."

Steven Taylor's header had given the home side the lead, but a Paul Dummett own goal levelled matters before Jack Colback's second in as many games gave United the lead at the halfway stage.

However, Danny Ings' glancing header restored parity before Sissoko and Boyd netted near the end to conclude an entertaining encounter.

Twenty-eight-year-old Tiote, though, recognised the importance of collecting points from games which haven't gone entirely their way.

"It was really, really difficult for us, because they play the long ball and they just run everywhere, so it was difficult for us but we didn't lose the game - I think that's the a good point," he said.

"In the Premier League, there are no easy games so every game is going to be like this. It's going to be tough, every opponent will try to win the game so I think today was important for us."

Attentions now turn to the FA Cup clash with Nigel Pearson's Foxes this weekend, with Saturday's opponents four points from safety after they drew 2-2 with Liverpool.

"It's an important game for the Club, the players and for everyone," said Tiote ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium.

"We have to prepare for that. It's not going to be an easy game as well so we just have to be focussed, take the positives from the game today and go back on Saturday."

To buy a Newcastle United shirt with Cheick Tiote's name and number on the back, click here.