In that respect, this was an improvement. The team looked more secure at the back thanks to the return of captain Fabricio Coloccini and, in the first half at least, they were also a threat going forward with Hatem Ben Arfa starting on the right flank.
After the break, though, Newcastle lost momentum and they were clinging on for much of the second half, relying on last-ditch blocks and a superb double save by goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
“It’s a good point,” said Pardew. “It’s a great win for Wigan and that has put pressure on us, but we rolled our sleeves up in the second half and we have answered the talk of rifts in the camp. I think we have put that to bed. The players have had some heavy criticism and I’m pleased for them.”
There are not many more physical teams in the Premier League than West Ham and they were quickly in the faces of their visitors, Mohamed Diame firing over under pressure from Coloccini.
Newcastle grew into the game, Ben Arfa fizzing a free-kick narrowly over before Papiss Demba Cisse was unlucky not to score. Cabaye spotted his run and Cisse’s first-time shot beat Jussi Jaaskelainen, but Winston Reid did brilliantly to hook it off the line.
“I thought it was in and I think the West Ham players did too,” said Pardew. “The linesman said he’d seen it, but I don’t know how he could.”
Newcastle faced a sterner test after the break and they had goalkeeper Elliot to thank for keeping out their former captain Kevin Nolan.
“Newcastle were the better team in the first half,” said West Ham’s assistant manager Neil McDonald, a Tynesider who used to play for Newcastle. “I still think they will have enough to stay up. We were a little disappointed not to win it in the second half, but a draw was a fair result.”
Match details
West Ham (4-4-1-1): Jaaskelainen; Demel (Taylor 80), Collins, Reid, O’Brien; Vaz Te (Collison 59), O’Neil, Diame, Jarvis (Jarvis 84); Nolan, Carroll.
Subs: Henderson, C Cole, Noble, Pogatetz.
Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Elliot; Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Taylor, Simpson; Jonas, Tiote; Gouffran (Gosling 76), Cabaye, Ben Arfa (Ameobi 66); Cisse.
Subs: Harper, Williamson, Anita, Perch,Campbell.
Booked: Coloccini.
Referee: P Dowd.
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