NEWCASTLE UNITED fans celebrated the return of Kevin Keegan in style tonight after Stoke City were rolled over in the FA Cup.
The Messiah lifted the gloom instantly on Tyneside as United dished out a real hiding.
The win means they will now face Arsenal at the Emirates at the end of the month but with KK now back in the helm the Magpies will feel anything is possible.
The game began amidst a crackling atmosphere with many fans snapping up tickets late in the day on the news that Keegan was back in Toon.
United caretaker boss Nigel Pearson was without United’s four African internationals and suspended Nicky Butt and Alan Smith.
The crowd were pumped up as the game unfolded as KK mania swept across the stands.
And United’s first goal of the new era arrived from Michael Owen who converted from close range after Damien Duff’s left wing cross was nodded down by James Milner and into the former Liverpool man’s path.
With 18 minutes played the crowd were distracted from the game as Keegan took his seat in the Milburn Stand flanked by both Chris Mort and Mike Ashley.
Inevitably the Toon Army were on their feet as the applause and cheers boomed round St James’s.
But in keeping with the madness of the day controversy followed the Toon Army’s joy.
Indeed on the half hour mark a nasty challenge by Turkish ace Emre sent Stoke skipper John Eustace flying and Rennie – who sent off Alan Shearer in 1999 - wasted no time in showing him a straight red card.
Yet Stoke failed to take advantage of the extra man and two minutes later Newcastle doubled their lead.
N’Zogbia’s corner was swirled in to the near post and Cacapa rose high to head the ball down and beyond Steve Simonsen.
Keegan mania had a chance to die down for 15 minutes during the break but the home crowd were once again in great voice in the second period.
However, the reality on the field of play was that 10 man Newcastle still had to battle through another half with little cover on the bench.
Newcastle though still kept pressing and with Stoke on the back foot United looked to add to their two goal cushion under the watchful eye of KK.
And the Magpies seemed intent on serving up a repeat dose of the good old days when The Entertainers attacked at every opportunity.
With 67 minutes on the clock the return of attacking football was confirmed when a dazzling run by James Milner was followed by a thumping finish by the Yorkshireman.
It was 4-0 with 14 minutes left after United hit Stoke on the break.
Milner found N’Zogbia who rolled it across the centre circle to Duff who kept his cool and finished crisply as the game turned into a rout for Newcastle.
OK, Liam Lawrence did score at the end - but who cares?
UNITED: Given, Carr, Enrique, Taylor, Cacapa (Rozehnal 71), Milner, N’Zogbia (LuaLua 79), Emre, Duff, Owen, Viduka (Carroll 73)
Subs Harper, Edgar.
Crowd: 35,108
Ref: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield)
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