"It looked like it was going to be a really good game, but the sending-off spoiled it," Pardew said after the 0-0 draw.
"I've seen the replay and all that happened was Dion kicked out a bit, but he should have known better.
"After the sending-off, we had plenty of possession but just didn't have that spark to open the door. But it was very hot out there and perhaps we weren't at our sharpest because it was the first game of the season.
"But coming to Leicester against the team we know are going to be our big rivals and getting a point makes it a great day for us.
"We were disappointed Rufus was sent off because the referee said his first yellow card was for an aggressive reaction to the Dublin sending off - but that's what we pay him for, isn't it?"