Owen in derby-day double

Newcastle 2 Sunderland 0

Michael Owen wrote himself into Newcastle folklore with a match-winning derby day double against Sunderland.

The England striker headed his side in front with just four minutes gone, and then converted a 45th-minute penalty after Danny Higginbotham had been penalised for handball.

Obafemi Martins could have wrapped up the win with 22 minutes remaining, but saw his effort blocked by Craig Gordon, and Steve Harper had to make a fine save from Kenwyne Jones seconds later to deny the visitors a way back into the game.

Keegan made his first change with 20 minutes remaining when he sent on Damien Duff for Martins and matched up Sunderland’s formation.

But the visitors might have pulled a goal back within seconds, Murphy running on to Jones’ knock-down and firing in a shot which was well blocked by Abdoulaye Faye.

Keegan handed Geordie Andy Carroll a taste of the derby action with 74 minutes gone when he came on to replace Viduka, and the reception he was afforded was in stark contrast to that which greeted Chopra as he came on for Murphy with 10 minutes to go.

To their credit, Keane’s men battled all the way to the whistle, but their fate had been sealed long before it sounded.