Steve McClaren hails Newcastle character after Man Utd draw

Steve McClaren said Newcastle's 3-3 draw with Manchester United felt like a win after Paul Dummett's last-minute equaliser.

Newcastle trailed 2-0 and 3-2 but fought back to snatch a share of the spoils thanks to goals from Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dummett.

The draw snaps a four-match losing streak for the Magpies and moves them to within a point of safety in the Premier League.

"They've shown everything tonight," said McClaren of his side. "We started well and during the game we had more possession than United, who are way out in front in the possession stats in the Premier League.

"We played football from the start, created chances, went behind, came back, got another blow, came back again, and I think we deserved to equalise at the end.

"We have demonstrated for the last eight or nine weeks we have character, it was questioned after Leicester and Crystal Palace, but they have responded after that to show real character.

"They have not got the rewards after that. Tonight it was important we didn't lose it and to score in the last minute felt like we had won it.

"Manchester United are a quality team and they keep the ball and they control it once they're in front. You don't realise what a monumental effort that is, to come back from 2-0 and 3-2, and to perform as we did."

Newcastle had not scored in their previous four matches and looked to be heading for another defeat at 2-0 down after 40 minutes.

McClaren was irked by the first goal after the visitors were awarded a penalty when a header hit Chancel Mbemba's arm.

"I couldn't believe it," said the Newcastle boss. "The first goal against top-four teams is absolutely vital. When nobody appealed and walked away...I couldn't believe it was a penalty.

"We could have gone under from that, and then 2-0, but they fought back and got a vital goal just before half-time. The second half was end to end and a real classic."