Comments from Shay Given:

"You could see against Manchester United that we only just had 11 fit players to put in. We need new faces to add numbers to a small squad.

"We were struggling to get the desired number of players out there and young Edgar came in and had a fantastic debut.

"We deserve a lot of credit because we had a lot of young lads out there. They became men and we got our rewards for that.

"Edgar is a right-footed centre-back playing at left-back and that sums up our situation. But to come in and get the equaliser like that is fairytale stuff.

"He did some great defending as well and credit to him for that. He has been training with us and he has had to come in ahead of time really.

"It was also Huntington's first game in the middle of the defence as well and he did well there with Taylor. It's a very young back four playing alongside Nobby, who is at least 56. That deserves a lot of credit.

"Edgar had a great game, but he has to progress as a player. He has to build on this and use the experience he gets from playing other matches. It's a great start for him to grab the equaliser against Manchester United."

Grumbling old Fergie was in a benevolent mood, telling the media afterwards:

"We missed a stack of chances but you have to admire the character and spirit of the Newcastle team. They deserved a point without question.

"We had three cleared off the line so that was a bit unlucky. Then we went and missed two or three good chances. When you are creating chances you hope you are doing enough to win the match and we should have won the match.

"We didn't play as well as we have been because Newcastle didn't allow us to play. I've nothing but praise for them."

The dawning of a new year has seen some sizeable highs and lows for Toon watchers, ranging from the double delight of 3-1 derby victories here in 1980 and 1985, to the abject misery of a 0-4 reverse at Southend in 1992. 

And despite 2007 not beginning with three points, the result and performance here today against the Premiership leaders provided a good deal of satisfaction. 

After having faced Chelsea in both cup and league just before their run (and Drogba's touch) disintegrated, we were aided in this game with a measure of good fortune against in-form opposition.

However, vital goal-line clearances in both halves from Parker and Solano and numerous other near misses could have easily seen a third successive festive reverse for Newcastle. 

And had Saha's groin not given out or Rooney been more in the Van Nistelrooy goal poacher mode, then a repeat of that Scholes-inspired 2-6 beating could have been on the cards - unbelievably Fergie's men had more shots today than back in 2003. 

But sticking to the facts  - and not moaning about injuries - we got our show back on the road. 

This was a welcome point after successive reverses in the North West had threatened to draw us back into the pack of clubs scrabbling at the bottom, and in terms of being a morale-booster of the "told you so" variety was priceless.

We'd privately written this one off beforehand, failing to accept that we'd be able to hold Ronaldo & Co. out for 90 minutes and disinclined to believe that we could outscore them for the first time in our previous 12 meetings.  

And even vague hopes of a draw were seemingly dashed before kickoff when it became clear that Butt was missing. 

Having been the glue that has held us together in recent weeks, we'd been eagerly awaiting this test against his old employers and acknowledged mentor, hoping for a good performance that would finally bury thoughts of the Cardiff misadventure that saw him openly abused from the SJP stands.

Taking all that into account and the full fettled team in the stand, it didn't look good - but we're delighted to have been proved wrong. 

A decade on from Peacock and Albert netting against the Red Devils in that immortal 5-0 win, the current crop of Magpie defenders were justifiably praised - Edgar for his goalscoring contribution and both he and Huntington for coping with Fergie's big guns.

However amidst the hullabaloo of the Edgar goal and his consequent discovery by the rest of the planet, by the time those papers are wrapping fish suppers a somewhat reality may intervene.    

Having looked nervous at right back against Bolton and been left on the bench at Everton when Ramage hobbled off (despite being our only substitute defender), Edgar was today asked to fill in at left back - Solano fit enough to return to the opposite flank.

That Roeder felt unable to play him in his chosen position against Everton is interesting - given that the home side were slinging over corners and crosses and Edgar is a good few inches taller than the man who ultimately dropped into central defence - Nicky Butt.

While Huntington was tipped for greatness before Roeder took charge, snapped up by Dyer's agent as he received his first England youth callup and signing a pro deal in 2005, Edgar's time at SJP by contrast looked to be drawing to a close.  

Indeed the biggest irony of his goal against Manchester United is that it came on the day that players whose current contract ends in the summer are officially able to open talks with new clubs.

Whether Edgar gets offered a deal at SJP (or accepts it) may depend as much on the injury situation and on how successful our transfer window dealings as his own performances. 

In a worse case scenario for him, this could be it; a replacement signing could be hours away and he could join his dad Eddie (1 first team appearance) as a footnote in our history - this year's George Hope (6 games in the 1970s and 1 goal....against Man United at SJP) 

Quite simply, the mass media exposure could ultimately be most useful to him in helping secure a future in the game - either on a permanent basis or, as he was preparing for just weeks ago, a loan move outside the Premiership.    

While that's sad in some ways, the romanticism of the game is long gone and John Hall's dream of a team of Geordies is no more realistic now than it was at any other time in our recent history.

Even since he uttered that phrase the whole football map has been redrawn, with Academies recruiting globally, not just from the local area. 

Take a closer look at current crop of hopefuls: Edgar is from Canada, Huntington from Carlisle, Pattison South African, O'Brien from Dublin, Krul Dutch and the as yet unseen Troisi is Australian - Tynesiders Carroll (sub today) and Gate are in the minority.   

A combination of gumption, inspiration, talent and fortune saw us earn something tangible from this match, but the consequent feelgood factor cannot obscure the fact that we are recycling and making do on what even for this club is a short-term footing.

If there is a lesson in all of this, it's that the effort and application of the unknowns pressed into service recently shows up the mercenary journeymen for what they have become. 

The twin policies of acquisition and youth development remain equally important: the trick is in buying sensibly and developing players through improved scouting and coaching. We can't play 11 Edgars, but equally we can't continue to sign the Luque and Babayaros of this world forever.

Chucking the young 'uns in is one thing - keeping them in there is quite another. 

Roeder knows that, let's hope that his boss does....

Biffa