The Keegan Renaissance appears to have finally arrived on Tyneside. After waiting until his tenth game in charge for a win, Kevin Keegan’s Magpies have now won three straight, scoring nine goals in those contests.
Any fears of relegation have now been all but allayed and Keegan’s unwavering optimism during the run of disappointing results now seems prescient. With Tottenham drawing against Blackburn, it doesn’t seem so far fetched for Newcastle to challenge West Ham for 10th place. Still in 12th, the Magpies are two points behind Spurs and six behind the Hammers.
Keegan’s tactic to put a trio of strikers on the attack yielded dividends as Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen and Mark Viduka all recorded goals against American keeper Marcus Hahnemann. The Royals couldn’t solve the Newcastle defense and forced Steve Harper to make only one desperate save of the four required for his clean sheet. Reading boss Steve Koppel put American Bobby Convey onto the pitch in the second half, but the midfielder has yet to score in 27 appearances for his side and couldn’t provide any offense to stem the Toon Army’s tide of goals.
The Royals looked in good form in the first half, but couldn’t take advantage of a defense devoid of Steven Taylor, out with a stomach bug. His replacement, young David Edgar was shaky at times, but Reading could not exploit the opportunities that arose. Wide back Habib Beye put in a brilliant performance, joining the offense down the wing. He provided the assist on Mark Viduka’s goal to put the Magpies up 3-0.
The scoreline could have been even bigger had Newcastle continued to attack, but once their win seemed secure the side seemed more content to play keep away from Reading rather than push for a fourth. Still, despite the pull-back, both Joey Barton and Martins had opportunities to further bury reading.
Barton was named man of match for his efforts, though Nicky Butt and Beye could easily have been given the honor on a day when Newcastle showed signs of being the club they’d been during Keegan’s first run as gaffer. Owen and Martins are tied for the club lead with nine goals apieces. Owen has scored in four straight matches.