There were just two minutes of the 90 left between Crystal Palace and Newcastle, and it was finely poised at 1-1.

Then the big Norwegian centre-back Brede Hangeland out jumped three Newcastle defenders to power a header towards the bottom right corner of Tim Krul’s goal, but the shot-stopper managed to push it out for a corner.

There would not be a dramatic end, and Alan Pardew and John Carver shared the spoils.

Hangeland said: “The header was close, really close. I should have had more pace on it, but he’s a good keeper and unfortunately it didn’t go in.”

The single point consolidates the Eagles' 13th position in the Premier League, five points clear of relegation with 27 in the bank, and just one defeat in the past seven league outings.

“It was very important to not get beaten and keep going,” said the 33-year-old Hangeland.

“A point is massive, compared to a defeat but it feels really disappointing because they only had one chance and, although we didn’t have loads of chances, we still felt that we could win the game, it’s mixed emotions.

“Ahead of the game we were going for three points but they scored just before half time and you could see that they were just going to sit back defending in the second half and attack on the counter, so we’ll take a point.”

With Yannick Bolasie returning from African Cup of Nations duty, described by Hangeland as a “new signing for us”, Pardew’s side will not be taking anything for granted going forward assures the former Fulham player.

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“We’re still very much looking over our shoulder,” he said.

“There’s no reason to get carried away - we can start looking up if and when we have 40 points - I’ve been in this league long enough to know it’s a dogfight to get there.”

With all eyes on Pardew facing his previous team for the first time and his former assistant coach, the Newcastle match took on an extra significance, but for Hangeland, he was quite sure that the gaffer was well prepared.

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The defender sai: “It was another game for us. For Alan [Pardew] personally it was a special occasion.

"He knows everything in the Premier League well but with this game he had a lot more tactical knowledge.

“That said though, he does a really good job ahead of every game and prepares us really well; he’s impressed us all.”

The Norwegian finds himself in a Palace side without Scott Dann due to a nasty head injury picked up in the Leicester away match last week, but the former Viking player, where he was coached by Roy Hodgson in Norway, is not taking anything for granted.

“I get along really well with Damo (Damien Delany) and Scotty Dann,” he said.

“Believe me, when they are playing I wish them all the best - the main thing at this stage of my career is to be part of a successful group who win games and we are doing this under, Pardew which is great and I’m happy to be part of the set-up.

“I’m happy to be a squad member, it’s a team game and if I am not playing I will support those who are - a win is more important that an appearance.”

Hangeland’s next appearance could be the FA Cup fifth Round tie at Selhurst Park tomorrow in front of the BT Sport cameras against Liverpool.

And with the game sold out at the beginning of the week it is set to be another big test for the Norwegian.

“We have another really tough game against Liverpool and we’ll have to have a quick turnaround,” he said.

“We will rest our legs and go again on Saturday.

“Liverpool are a quality side; everyone knows that. We won’t be expecting an easy game that’s for sure.”