Alan Shearer said in the TV studio Tiote had to go, although the majority of Toon fans didn't agree, especially as the referee gave Newcastle a free-kick for a foul ON the midfielder.
Alan Pardew had no complaints about the sending-off which left his side facing an uphill task.
Alan Pardew: "I have kind of accepted in my mind to accept it. There is absolutely no doubt - and I know Cheick - that he has not tried to do the player, he is just late, if I am honest, and the referee has deemed that a red."
Martin O'Neill: "Do you know what? When we equalised, it was one of the best moments, it really was, and to be accompanied by that noise...
"There's an element of relief, but every derby game I have ever been involved in either here or in Scotland, there has always been an element of relief.
"In the second half, sheer pressure alone probably yielded us the goal rather than anything flamboyantly brilliant.
"We got the goal and maybe had enough time them to go on and win it, but in the circumstances with Newcastle being down to 10 men and having defended so strongly, that would have been harsh."