It was a disappointing opening period as the Blues conceded twice, but skipper Reece James kick-started our comeback with a sublime free-kick from range just after the restart. And with the wind in our sails, Joao Pedro helped us capitalise as he fired home the equaliser soon after, at the end of a move between himself and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who earned the assist.

Although the Blues actually had chances to win it at the end, it wasn’t to be as Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and the Brazilian forward all went close. Despite that, the 24-year-old was pleased to earn a point, while also feeling we could have earned more if we had begun with the same vigour we showed in the second half.

‘I think we could have started better in the first half, but in the second half we showed our character, and we tried to get the three points,’ Joao Pedro opened, speaking after the contest at St. James’ Park.

‘I think we had a lot of chances, but in the end it didn’t quite happen. We didn’t lose the game, but we need to learn, improve and be ready for the next few games.

‘I think in the first half we started a little bit slowly, and in this type of game you need to win more second balls and in the second half that’s what we did. It helped us to create more when you start to win these balls. We started quicker and with more power, and that’s why we scored.’

Joao Pedro wanted to credit the skipper for helping inspire the comeback, pointing to Reece’s goal as key to helping us find that momentum.

‘When Reece scored, it showed us that we could win this game,’ he explained. ‘It was a very important goal. It’s difficult, it’s tough when you start the game, and they score as early as they did, but [Reece’s goal] helped us and gave us more confidence.’

As well as James’ well-taken free-kick, the travelling Blues supporters also got to watch Joao Pedro at his best for our equaliser, controlling and nodding on Sanchez’s long pass into a goalscoring position. And the Brazilian explained that it was actually a move they had worked on previously.

‘Since the Atalanta game, the gaffer has told me to be ready for these kinds of passes, because if I win the ball, I can be in a great position, and that’s what happened today,’ he continued.

‘I told Robert to send long balls towards me because I was in a one-versus-one situation, and I knew if I could control the ball, I would be in front of the goal. I was able to do that, and then one-on-one with the goalkeeper, I scored.’

With a win very much our aim on Tyneside, Joao Pedro was still content in making sure we didn’t send the travelling support home empty-handed, wishing them the best over the festive period.

He finished: ‘The fans expect that we win every game, and today we didn’t win, but it was a great match and great to get a point away at a tough stadium, and I wish them a Merry Christmas. I hope they enjoy the end of the year.’