It's been some time when I recall all four of Sunday's Premier League games ending in draws.
A beach ball went un-noticed last year at the Stadium at Light when Sunderland scored, but a magpie was not welcome today in the North East in the intense derby atmosphere.
It was good to see Asamoah Gyan get back on the score sheet from a neutral point of view and Steve Bruce will again be delighted that his side found confidence to rally and claim a draw.
Two derby defeats against your bitterest rivals in one season, no matter of league positions, would be demoralising and worrying, for any Premier League manager, given the current sacking rates.
Still, the point looks good for both teams who have no need for looking over their shoulder in what promises to be a good season in Tyneside.
The best game of the day, rather predictably, was the Merseyside derby, with Liverpool and Everton playing out the day's entertaining game at Anfield, with a 2-2 draw.
Interestingly, Steven Pienaar wasn't included prior to his ominous move, but Kenny Dalglish's first point as Liverpool manager round two couldn't have come in better circumstances, with his side 2-1 down just after half time, despite leading through a Raul Meireles effort early on.
Sylvain Distin scored his first league goal for Everton since March 2007 earlier today.
No doubt Match of the Day 2 will reveal how long it's been tonight, but I don't have 60 hours to check the records and see when, or if, it has happened.
I have to admit, I've watched all three televised games today and I was disappointed with the football on show, aside from the Merseyside derby.
Usually with derby football, there are tackles flying in left, right and centre but, aside from Rafael, it wasn't anywhere near as heated as I expected.
The first televised game was at St Andrews where one of the more predictable draws was played out between two sides who can't keep clean sheets or score goals.
It was good to see David Bentley return to the first team to make his debut for the Blues, and I was impressed with his temperament and crossing ability, which he has showed throughout his career.
Perhaps Birmingham could have counted themselves unlucky to have come away with only a point, given the chances they missed, notably from Matt Derbyshire, who I like as a player.
The Birmingham derby never really got going between two teams struggling for form.
Credit; here
At the other end, it was James Collins who hit the target for Gerard Houllier's side, which sums up their problems, given that the front pairing of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor only have 3 goals between them this season.
At the other end, it was James Collins who hit the target for Gerard Houllier's side, which sums up their problems, given that the front pairing of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor only have 3 goals between them this season.
If you don't score goals, you will struggle to stay up and something has to change for these teams, although I think Birmingham, as Blackburn did a few years ago, will benefit hugely from Bentley's deliveries, and that will be a huge boost for them heading into the second half of the season.
Admittedly, I haven't yet seen the Tyne Tees dervy but I've had a read online and read the BBC Live text and it sounded like another drab game, with the highlight being the Sunderland mascot chasing a Magpie, the nickname of Newcastle, around the Stadium of Light and failing to get rid of it.
Something to watch tonight again on Match of the Day, no doubt.
A beach ball went un-noticed last year at the Stadium at Light when Sunderland scored, but a magpie was not welcome today in the North East in the intense derby atmosphere.
Aside from that, another good result for Newcastle under Pardew. He might have taken some criticism with taking over after Hughton under the circumstances but it seems he's settled well and kept the dressing room and Kevin Nolan, who scored his fourth goal against Sunderland this season, happy.
It was good to see Asamoah Gyan get back on the score sheet from a neutral point of view and Steve Bruce will again be delighted that his side found confidence to rally and claim a draw.
Two derby defeats against your bitterest rivals in one season, no matter of league positions, would be demoralising and worrying, for any Premier League manager, given the current sacking rates.
Still, the point looks good for both teams who have no need for looking over their shoulder in what promises to be a good season in Tyneside.
The best game of the day, rather predictably, was the Merseyside derby, with Liverpool and Everton playing out the day's entertaining game at Anfield, with a 2-2 draw.
Interestingly, Steven Pienaar wasn't included prior to his ominous move, but Kenny Dalglish's first point as Liverpool manager round two couldn't have come in better circumstances, with his side 2-1 down just after half time, despite leading through a Raul Meireles effort early on.
Sylvain Distin scored his first league goal for Everton since March 2007 earlier today.
On the other side, Everton manager David Moyes must be delighted that his team are unbeaten against their rivals this season, and the Scotsman must hope that there are better things on the horizon for a team who have only won twice in their last 12 league games.
Jermaine Beckford might have finally found his feet in the Premier League and it shows some good signs that Moyes was prepared to let Yakubu out on loan to Leicester for the remainder of the season, another sure confidence boost after his goal made it 2-1 today.
It will be interesting to see how Liverpool respond from their first point in four league games, ahead of their games against Wolves and Fulham, with Dalglish still searching for a first win. Surely that will come but Liverpool played better football today, even without their captain, than they have been doing of late, despite conceding two goals.
Maybe times are changing at the club but it's already a season which should be written off by all involved with the club.
The last game, and perhaps the most anticipated, was Manchester United travelling to Spurs.
I would mention anything, but I really can't and, aside from Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale, there was precious little good about the game, which ended 0-0.
Willem Korsten scored twice when Spurs last beat Man United over ten years ago.
Credit; here
United remain unbeaten this season and return to the top of the table with games in hand, after City beat Wolves 4-3 in a cracker at Eastlands yesterday.
Spurs, on the other hand, move down to fifth after Chelsea's victory over Blackburn who can hopefully complete a better Super Sunday next week when they face West Brom at Ewood Park in the only game.
Jermaine Beckford might have finally found his feet in the Premier League and it shows some good signs that Moyes was prepared to let Yakubu out on loan to Leicester for the remainder of the season, another sure confidence boost after his goal made it 2-1 today.
It will be interesting to see how Liverpool respond from their first point in four league games, ahead of their games against Wolves and Fulham, with Dalglish still searching for a first win. Surely that will come but Liverpool played better football today, even without their captain, than they have been doing of late, despite conceding two goals.
Maybe times are changing at the club but it's already a season which should be written off by all involved with the club.
The last game, and perhaps the most anticipated, was Manchester United travelling to Spurs.
I would mention anything, but I really can't and, aside from Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale, there was precious little good about the game, which ended 0-0.
Willem Korsten scored twice when Spurs last beat Man United over ten years ago.
Credit; here
United remain unbeaten this season and return to the top of the table with games in hand, after City beat Wolves 4-3 in a cracker at Eastlands yesterday.
Spurs, on the other hand, move down to fifth after Chelsea's victory over Blackburn who can hopefully complete a better Super Sunday next week when they face West Brom at Ewood Park in the only game.
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