The 28-year-old England international took his tally for the season to 12 with a fine double as the Magpies finally ended their fears of being dragged into the fight for Barclays Premier League survival.

Keegan is still intent on beating the club's lowest Premier League points total of 43 - today's victory took them to 42 - and with three games remaining, it would be a brave man who would bet against him achieving that.

Then he will turn his attention to building for a brighter future, and key in that will be Owen's retention beyond the confines of his current deal, which runs out at the end of next season.

Keegan remains confident that he will stay, although Owen himself was diplomatic when asked about his contractual situation.

He told Sky Sports: "Talks haven't begun yet. The manager has pulled me to one side and said he wanted me to stay and the club would be in touch soon, and that's where we stand.

"I haven't spoken to the club yet, but obviously I would think in the close season, then maybe they will approach me or my advisor."

If it has anything to do with Keegan, who has left the matter in the hands of chairman Chris Mort, that will happen sooner rather than later.

He said: "I think he will (stay) because Michael likes it here and we want him here, so there's two good reasons, and I can't think of any better ones.

"He is the most important signing, I think, and then we can look at bringing, I have said, three or four players in to change this around.

"We have got a good squad here, a quality squad, but we are small.

"But he is a key player, he is a leader. He leads by example, which is the best way to lead.

"He is 28 years of age, he scored another two goals today.

"It is the first time he has had a run here, it is the first time the fans have seen the real Michael Owen, and they like him.

"He never had a chance before with his injuries."

Owen was the toast of Tyneside after heading his side in front just four minutes into a game which has been the main topic of conversation in both cities for days.

But it was his sixth goal in as many games, a 45th-minute penalty awarded after Danny Higginbotham was adjudged to have handled, which effectively sealed the points.

Sunderland rallied after a poor first half as manager Roy Keane, who lost key defenders Jonny Evans and Phil Bardsley to injury before the game, abandoned his 4-5-1 formation and went for broke, but when Steve Harper kept out Kenwyne Jones' 68th-minute header - his only save of any note - the game was over.

An already raucous atmosphere at St James' Park went up several notches on the finally whistle and sent Newcastle owner Mike Ashley into raptures.

Keegan said: "He said there is £250million to spend in the transfer window. I think that's what he said.

"Or he may have said, 'I am going out on the town tonight'. I think it was the second.

"No, I am just joking. He is pleased and I am pleased for him.

"Terry McDermott just turned to me with five minutes to go when they were singing and he said, 'It's like the old days, Gaffer'."

Opposite number Keane was once again left to reflect upon costly errors as he prepared for an uncomfortable conclusion to a difficult season.

He said: "At this level, you tend to find the teams around the bottom, we seem to give the teams nearer the top a helping hand.

"We have done that is so many games this season. We did it last weekend and we have done it again today. They were two really bad goals to concede.

"In the second half, it would have been nice if we had scored one to make it interesting when Kenwyne had a good chance, but it wasn't meant to be."