Newcastle United were looking like the Britney Spears of football, a basket case sinking into the gutter as Sunderland showed distinct signs of life.

There were even some cheeky whispers of a cataclysmic power shift in the north-east, from troubled Tyneside to the Stadium of Light.

Then ... the Messiah returned!

‘... Is Roy Keane quaking in his boots at the second (or third, if you include his playing days) coming of KK? You can bet your boots that he will be relishing the rivalry.’


But is Roy Keane quaking in his boots at the second (or third, if you include his playing days) coming of KK? After seeing off another St James' Park gaffer, you can bet your boots that he will be relishing the rivalry with Kevin Keegan.

Keane’s Sunderland side are now only six points behind Newcastle after the win over Portsmouth, who boasted one of the two best away records in the Premier League before Sunday. Two convincing home wins have shown that the Black Cats can lick teams they have to beat to survive.

Keegan stopped the rot just by turning up for Newcastle's 4-1 demolition of Stoke in the Cup last night. But he has to transform a side who were hammered 6-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday and were beaten in their three previous Premier League games.

Kieran Richardson is starting to really look the business for Sunderland. The Toon army will be expecting miracles  from their team with Keegan back. The two great rivals showed there was nothing between them when they drew 1-1 in November.

A lot can happen between now and April when they meet again at St James' Park. So it's over to YOU, the
fans of both clubs – will it be King Kev or King Keano by the end of the season?

Just tell us which of the north-east giants will finish higher in the Premier League and why?