Owen gives Magpies bragging rights
Michael Owen demonstrated exactly why manager Kevin Keegan is so desperate for him to sign a new contract by claiming a derby day double to increase Sunderland's woes with a 2-0 win.
The 28-year-old headed the Magpies into an early lead and then made it six goals in as many games in the final minute of the first half from the penalty spot.
The win maintained Keegan's 100% record against the Black Cats, which now stretches to five games, on a day when his mission to keep the club in the Barclays Premier League was successfully completed.
The game was only four minutes old when Paul McShane, who had already taken a wild swing at Owen, lost the England striker and saw him run on to Geremi's cross to power a header past Craig Gordon and set St James' Park alight.
Roy Keane might have been happy to get his team back into the dressing room with the scoreline at 1-0, but his hopes were dashed just seconds before the break.
Owen and Mark Viduka carved the visitors open with a deft one-two inside the penalty area and when the former Real Madrid man tried to lift the ball over the sliding Danny Higginbotham, the ball made contact with his arm and referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot.
Owen stepped up to blast the penalty past Gordon despite the keeper getting a hand to it to leave Sunderland with a mountain to climb.
After the break Obafemi Martins perhaps should have scored after he and Owen sliced Sunderland open, but Gordon made a vital block, and Steve Harper had to match him seconds later to keep out Kenwyne Jones' thumping header.
