Going to Arsenal is never an easy fixture, even though we did leave them 'pointless' last season with an Andy Carroll winner.
Pardew set out his stall, and for 94 minutes we thought we were going to come away with a point.
The Toon boss went with 4-5-1, leaving Demba Ba to battle alone upfront, supported from deep by Hatem Ben Arfa.
It looked a balanced side, although I don't think any Newcastle supporter has the faith Pardew has in Gabriel Obertan.
It was pointed out after the game that in the first half the former Manchester United winger covered more ground than any other on the pitch ... sadly I don't think he covered more than ten yards with the ball!
He's a headless chicken who shits his pants the moment he gets the ball. Sir Alex Ferguson said the winger wasn't Premiership quality ... and who can argue with the greatest manager in Premiership history?
But, Obertan apart, United kept their shape and looked a side going places.
We didn't pepper the Arsenal goal or create as many chances as the home side, but we looked reasonably comfortable.
If anything, we showed more passion than Wenger's side, and Pardew can at least say he switched his tactics to go for the win when others have gone to that ground and sat back for 90 minutes.
It was brave and the Toon boss was a credit to the game.
Alan Pardew: "Last-minute defeats are galling.
"We could have had a bit more threat, could have kept the ball a little bit better, but it's difficult, they're a tough team here.
"We put such an effort in that we were really running out of steam. The five extra minutes didn't help us.
"Tim Krul usually takes his time over goal kicks, something which upset the home fans.
"The goalie's going to take his time, we're away from home, but maybe he took a bit too long on one two, and it is frustrating for home fans.
"We have it ourselves at our place, but you couldn't fault us for commitment and effort."