Local hero Taylor rescues Big Sam as Newcastle halt Arsenal

Taylor, back in the side after injury, turned the ball home on the hour to give Newcastle an important point after humiliating home defeats against Portsmouth and Liverpool.

Stunning strike: Adebayor smashing an unstoppable volley past Shay Given

Allardyce's struggling side, still without a win in six games, fell behind after only four minutes to Emmanuel Adebayor's ninth goal of the season — a wonderful effort that saw him deftly control and then volley Emmanuel Eboue's cross home.

But Newcastle fought back valiantly, with the full support of home fans who have been critical of Allardyce's tactics and team selections since he took over in the summer.

Midfielder Joey Barton, whose criticism of the supporters attracted headlines at the weekend, also received full backing from the Toon Army.

Allardyce said: 'I am relieved but disappointed we haven't won. It's a little hard to take after putting in a performance like that and having enough opportunities to win.

No chance: Given can't stop Adebayor's volley

'After the last few results I am obviously relieved we got a point against the best team in the Premier League. It takes the pressure off. But I don't want it to ebb away after this performance. We have to kick on.

'It is a huge result and a weight has lifted off us. I would have said a draw might have felt like a win but I didn't feel we got what we deserved. It's not often you have Arsenal on the back foot for so long and it was Arsenal hanging on, not us.

'The fans were fantastic. I love it. It's what I came here for and what you want to hear every week. But it's what the players do which will help build a relationship over time.'

Arsenal were still without Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Alexander Hleb but the draw will disappoint Arsene Wenger, though his side now have a four-point lead over Manchester United.

Local hero: Geordie Steven Taylor fired home the equaliser off the post

Allardyce still has one of the most impressive records against the Frenchman, with only eight defeats in 19 top-flight games and Wenger admitted playing Newcastle felt a little like Bolton of old.

He added: 'You could feel there was a crisis and I anticipated a different game because, no matter what, it looked like they had made a real pact to win this game and to fight.'

Newcastle chairman Chris Mort used his programme notes to urge home fans to support Allardyce and owner Mike Ashley.

Mort wrote: 'We have an ambitious owner, chairman, manager, players and supporters. However, we all have to decide how much pressure we want to put on our manager and players to get things right.'

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