Pardew confirmed he substituted full-back Ryan Taylor as a precaution, because the left-back had picked up a booking and was walking a tightrope.
Alan Pardew: “They were very professional. You couldn’t say Cheick pulled out of anything. He was in the midst of everything, but he didn’t get booked.”
"I am still hoping to include him in his side for the FA Cup tie with Blackburn.
“Hopefully, we will have Cheick and Demba Ba for January 7.
"Manchester City are still fighting to retain Yaya and Koulo Toure until January 15, and we’re watching all of that.
"If Yaya Toure doesn’t go until later in the month, why should Cheick go? We are all in the same boat.”