Hatem Ben Arfa proves his worth as Newcastle snatch draw against Sunderland

Shola Ameobi's stoppage time leveller rescued Newcastle a draw against Sunderland

Shola Ameobi has never been universally popular among Newcastle fans.

He is seen by many as lazy and his overall goalscoring record doesn't help his cause, but against Sunderland he turns into a different player.

He once again came up trumps in the Tyne-Wear derby yesterday to earn the Magpies a deserved point in a 1-1 draw. Perhaps he should be saved exclusively for these occasions.

To be fair to him, he was superb in the 3-0 victory over Manchester United in January, but it is against Sunderland when he really comes into his own.

He has the ability to terrorise defenders and it is frustrating he cannot produce performances like this consistently, but he is guaranteed a place in Geordie folklore for his record against the Black Cats.

His tally in the fixture now stands at seven goals - second only to the great Jackie Milburn - and that record ensures Newcastle fans will look back on him with a smile on their faces when he retires.

The turning point in this game was undoubtedly the red card shown to Stephane Sessegnon in the 58th minute, with the Benin forward showing a complete lack of discipline in elbowing Cheick Tiote.

Sessegnon's red card invited pressure onto Sunderland

Tiote's reaction was over-the-top but it was a definite red card offence and handed the initiative to the home side, who were already showing signs of a second-half fightback after going 1-0 behind in the first-half.

Nicklas Bendtner's penalty gave Sunderland that lead after the increasingly clumsy-looking Mike Williamson pulled Michael Turner's shirt, while Tim Krul also had to be on his guard to pull off a superb double save from Sebastian Larsson and James McClean.

Hatem Ben Arfa's second-half performance proved why he should have a regular place in manager Alan Pardew's starting eleven.

Ben Arfa still gives the ball away too often but he is so slippery, tricky and talented that it is a massive waste to see him sitting on the bench.

He terrorised Sunderland at times in the second-half and he has the ability to do things other players can only dream of.

Ben Arfa is Newcastle's most gifted player and he makes things happen, which was ideal against a defence as resolute as Sunderland's.

He was certainly much more of a threat on the wing than Ryan Taylor, who switched to left-back - where he looked much more comfortable - at the break after Davide Santon was brought off.

There will always be frustration and question marks where Ben Arfa is concerned, but some of his play is breathtaking and makes all the negatives worth it.

The number 10 can unlock teams and his performance against Sunderland should be his breakthrough at St James' Park - his displays from now on have to be up to this standard.

Some of the mazy dribbles Ben Arfa goes on are incredible - although he has a habit of forgetting the ball from time to time - and his goal against Blackburn in the FA Cup was one of the best in Newcastle's recent history.

His talent merits a place in Pardew's team and this performance should have proved that to the manager.

Newcastle dominated after Sunderland went down to 10 men and even missed a penalty with eight minutes left when Demba Ba's spot-kick was superbly stopped by Simon Mignolet.

When the penalty was awarded, Pardew needlessly goaded Sunderland's bench and that is something he should look back on with a lot of regret.

Pardew lost his cool when his side were awarded the penalty

He showed a complete lack of class and it is clear the emotion of the occasion got to him, but he should have showed a lot more respect for opposing manager Martin O'Neill and his backroom staff.

It is clear the occasion got to Pardew.

Unless you live in the area, it is impossible to understand the passion and build-up which surrounds this fixture and the pressure on all involved in it to get a positive result.

Everything seemed to have built up inside Pardew, from Sunderland's rough tactics to the ferocity of the crowd and relief at getting the penalty, but he can have no excuses. He should have channelled those emotions in a different way.

Pardew be given a lot of praise for his role in the draw though, as his subs Ameobi and Ben Arfa were central to the second-half dominance.

Sessegnon's dismissal undoubtedly played a part in that dominance but Sunderland only have themselves to blame for their ill-discipline.

Lee Cattermole was red-carded after the final whistle for abusing referee Mike Dean, and this is a problem O'Neill will have to rectify.

Cattermole set the tone in the first minute with an ugly foul on Tiote which earned him a booking, something Pardew was clearly angered by.

Tiote and Cattermole had a running battle

Cattermole is a player who is always on the disciplinary tightrope but O'Neill needs his captain to set a positive example for his team-mates to follow.

This was certainly not the prettiest game you are likely to see, but it was full of passion and incident, while the atmosphere in the stadium left no player in any doubt as to what the fixture meant.

Aside from the superb noise generated from the supporters, the game was exhilarating and encapsulated everything this derby is about.

It had it all: controversy, goals, a missed penalty, chances galore, skirmishes and late, late drama.

The draw proved the two sides are not far apart but should ensure Newcastle finish the season as the region's top team.

They could have even won it when Williamson squandered a late, late chance, but the draw was a fair result and one Newcastle should be pleased with given the endeavour and fighting spirit they showed in getting the equaliser.

They are still in the superb position of sixth and if Pardew can lead his side through the final 11 fixtures and keep them there, he will have to be a major contender for manager of the year.

Ben Arfa's display certainly proved his worth to the manager but in truth, this day was Ameobi's.

The number 23 has been given a harsh time over the years but his record in this fixture will always ensure his status as a cult hero among Newcastle fans.

He may not be a great goalscorer, but Ameobi is the man for the big occasion. He is the man for derby day.