Keegan rejoices in Spurs rout

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has confounded his critics with a 4-1 victory over Tottenham.

The Magpies went to White Hart Lane having chalked up just one victory since Tyneside's favourite son returned as manager.

Keegan was visibly relieved after a win that will see Newcastle take a huge stride towards safety in the Barclays Premier League.

He had given travelling fans the thumbs-up before kick-off but threw his hands up in disgust when Darren Bent scored a soft opener for Spurs in the 26th minute.

But Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt pulled the score level with a neat finish in first-half extra time.

Geremi put the visitors ahead from a free-kick just seven minutes after the interval, sparking a full-scale rout.

England striker Michael Owen, himself under pressure following uneven recent form, got on the scoresheet when he took advantage of Mark Viduka's clever back-heel to slot home.

Obafemi Martins added a fourth with eight minutes remaining, picking up Joey Barton's pass and finishing calmly.

The victory puts Newcastle in 12th place with 35 points, nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Keegan said: "We're definitely not safe yet, but we can look up not down.

"We could catch Spurs up and we could catch up West Ham. People would have said that was ridiculous a few weeks ago.

"We have three home games and three away left and, playing like this, I think the players will look forward to playing anybody."

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.