Many critics had declared that we were where we were as a result of "not playing anyone yet", and that we would soon come undone when 'Arry brought his boys to town. Once again, we defied said critics and picked up a well deserved point against a team who are going to be there or thereabouts. If you can draw with those teams and win your games against the so-called beatable teams, then you set yourself up nicely for a decent league finish. Even the most optimistic Newcastle fan knows that we aren't going to finish in 4th at the end of the season. We simply haven't got the resources or spending power of Spurs and Liverpool. Every team goes through a period of niggly injuries and suspensions, and our time will come soon - you just know it. November is going to be a very difficult month when we make the journey to Manchester (twice) before entertaining Chelsea in our back yard. Then, in December - we face 9 games I think it is. Playing that many games in a 4 week period is going to stretch us. Following that, we have the African Cup of Nations which is likely to see Ba and Tiote missing for a month. They will be testing times for us, but in the meantime it is fantastic to be able to enjoy ourselves, look forward to the match at the weekend and generally feel that you have a chance going into a game. It's nice to be able to look down on the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal. Let's just enjoy it while it lasts. It's also funny that Jose left to sign for a "Champions League club"...should have stayed where you were eh?!

The first half was a fairly tight contest, with not a great deal in it. It was ruined by another rash challenge by Taylor on Adebeyour just before half time which led to a penalty. I was disappointed in Steven in all honesty, after getting away with it at Wolves before the international break you'd think he'd be careful - but we all know he's prone to a rush of blood to the head on occasions, which is probably why he is always overlooked by England. The second half was as entertaining a game you'll see all season. Two decent footballing sides playing the game the way it should be. Ba notched his 5th goal of the season after a great run from a much improved Gutierrez. Jonas worked tirelessly once again, and terrified the Spurs defence for much of the game as well as supporting Ryan Taylor at left back. I've said it before, but I do think Jonas is one of the hardest working players we've ever had. His only problem was a lack of final product, but so far he has managed to supply the balls for a couple of goals as well as notching one himself. I've found it very difficult to ever criticise Jonas, purely because of his work ethic, and I'm delighted for him that he is finally managing to find the end product. Long may it continue! We were behind again after a good finish from Defoe after some poor defending from the otherwise faultless Ryan Taylor. He is another player who has impressed me this season playing out of position. He has rarely put a foot wrong and made some vital tackles in the process, not least the one against Wolves and some last ditch defending on Sunday which helped prevent Spurs from scoring a last minute winner. Then you have The Big Sho...so often he is at the butt of people's jokes and you hear groans from the nuggets sitting around you when he comes on. Those same groaners were on their feet, falling forward two rows when he buried the equaliser. I love it when Shola scores, I really do. He's never once shied away when asked to do a job. Granted, he isn't always brilliant but when you look at some of the players we've had who have made every excuse possible not to play, and then Shola plays when needing a new hip. Ultimate professional. Sunday showed us what he is capable of when he really fancies it. Twisting and turning like it was no ones business, and as for the finish...top notch.

Coloccini is for me, the best centre back I have ever seen in our colours. I know the competition isn't that fierce, but everyone talks about Woodgate in the 6 or 7 games he managed to play for us. Colo is almost the complete defender in that he can tackle, head the ball and also play football. A proper South American defender and you know you can rely on him. I really do hope he spends the rest of his career with us. Taylor will learn a lot from him, as well the young lads coming through the youth set up. He might even be able to teach James Perch a thing or two! Poor old Perchy. It was also nice to see Santon get a run out for a few minutes. I'm not entirely sure what to expect from this lad, but given that the Special One rates him - he'll do me.

Onto Wigan at home next weekend, dare I say it - it's one of those winnable games. As you know, this is Newcastle United and things are prone to go belly up before you realise it. Another three points there and a couple against Stoke and Everton would set us up very nicely for those games in November. It won't be easy though, last season we were lucky to scrape a draw against Wigan.

Onwards and upwards then. It's great fun being a Newcastle fan right now, even the doom mongers are smiling...aren't you Keith?!