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THE NORTH-EAST SUMMIT - THREE POINTS FOR KEEGAN 27-3-08
Stuart Young
It was three points all round for the North-East sides last weekend as they all climbed away from the relegation zone.
Kevin Keegan got his first win in charge of Newcastle, Sunderland earned themselves three vital points away at Villa and Boro downed Derby at home to claim all three points.
Newcastle
King Kev finally got his first win since taking charge of Newcastle United for the second time.
The win could not have come at a better time as the Geordies look to aviod relegation to the Championship next season. Viduka and Owen were both on target as they beat fellow strugglers Fulham at St James' Park last Saturday.
The home side got off to a great start as Viduka opened the scoring early on with a smart strike from the edge of the box. The Newcastle fans had to wait until seven minutes from time to see the second as Owen rose to head home a Geremi free-kick.
Fulham offered very little in the game and Keegan's players were rarely challenged by their opposition. Looking at this match before the kick off, you would have thought it was going to be a tough tackling bottom of the table clash. But it was anything but tough for Newcastle as they strolled past a team that seem doomed to relegation.
The Newcastle fans would have enjoyed their team having lots of possession and getting the points on the board but they will know that their team will have to put in a massive performance against Spurs on Sunday to get any points at White Hart Lane.
Sunderland
Sunderland picked up three vital points at Villa. Not only will Roy Keane be happy with the points but he will also be happy with the fact that his team have finally won a game away from home in the league this season.
Keane's side looked very good on Saturday and showed the league that they are capable of beating relegation. Sunderland had lots of chances and should have been comfortable winners against an out of form Aston Villa outfit.
The win against Villa will give the Sunderland players a massive boost ahead of their weekend clash against West Ham at the Stadium of Light. Keane will be expecting another three points here in the push for Premiership survival. I can't see West Ham getting much out of this game and expect a Sunderland win.
Middlesbrough
A snow blizzard was one of very few exciting moments in a dismal game against Derby at the Riverside last Saturday. Boro fans will not care too much about the performance however as long as the team pick up three points every week from now until the end of the season.
Gareth hit the nail on the head in his post-match comments when he stated that the team seem to play to the standard of the opposition. I totally agree with what Southgate said and thus I expect Boro to lift themselves for the game against Chelsea on Sunday.
It's always an interesting encounter between Chelsea and Middlesbrough. Chelsea are coming off the back of a great win against Arsenal and will be looking to close the gap on Manchester United at the top of the table.
Boro fans know all too well though that their team gains superpowers against the top teams and that they also play good football. It will be an interesting game but I still fancy Chelsea to take the points.
From all three sides' performances and results last weekend, I can't see any of the North-East sides going down because there are far worse sides in the league. I'm talking about Wigan, Fulham, Bolton, Birmingham and of course Derby.
Boro, Newcastle and Sunderland should only have to rely on their remaining home games to be safe.
As all three sides are nearing safety, Keegan, Keane and Southgate will have one eye on finishing as the top team in the North-East to secure bragging rights.
It will be a close one but Boro have the lead for the race to the Summit. With Boro traveling to Chelsea though, Newcastle and Sunderland could catch them this weekend.
See You At The Top
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