Magpies slipping dangerously towards dreaded zone

When coming to choose a team manager, the Newcastle United board have erred on many an occasion in the recent past.

It looks like they have made the wrong decision again this year to hire Kevin Keegan for his second spell at St James' Park after three seasons out.

At first, the fans were glad to have Keegan back, remembering how close Newcastle came to winning the championship when they were ten points clear before they were eventually leapfrogged for the title by Manchester United.

United trounced Newcastle 5-1 last Saturday and earlier in the season they hit six goals past them at Old Trafford.

Now, Newcastle are facing a nightmare as the team is slipping perilously close to the relegation zone. Deep inside, the fans know that the man they booed out of St James' Park, Sam Allardyce, is wearing a wide smile these days.

After leaving, Allardyce claimed that the Magpies were not a big club for him, after all.

Goalkeeper Steve Harper has admitted that Newcastle's season is rapidly drifting to a point of no return.

After the hiding to Manchester United, Keegan confessed that Newcastle's Premier League status was in danger as his side have been hauled into a fight for survival.

He went on to state that Newcastle must somehow reach the magic 40-point mark with 11 games left to stay in the top flight. Newcastle are on mark 28.

Since Keegan took over from 'Big Sam' Allardyce his side collected a mere two points from a maximum of 15 and conceded 13 goals in the process, scoring three.

This afternoon, Newcastle take on Blackburn in front of their own fans. The Magpies' home record is not encouraging, having failed to win their last five matches at St James' Park.

Man. United close gap

Emirates Stadium. After dropping two priceless points at Birmingham, where they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser, Arsenal saw their advantage cut down to three points by rivals Manchester United.

The injury to striker Eduardo da Silva was a big blow to the Gunners but the player refused to blame Martin Taylor, of Birmingham, for the broken leg he sustained.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa continue to impress on their travels... they lost only two Premier matches.

Craven Cottage. Fulham, one place from bottom and who face Manchester United this afternoon, rightly felt they had been hard done by the referee in the loss at home to West Ham after he allowed Nolberto Solano's goal despite the latter's disputed challenge on goalkeeper Anti Niemi.

Similar to Newcastle, since the arrival of new manager Roy Hodgson the Londoners cashed in only four points from 21 points (a win and a draw) and their plight has deepened.

The Red Devils still have to chalk up their first league win in London this season after draws with Arsenal (2-2) and Tottenham (1-1) and the upset to West Ham (1-2).

Incidentally, their last triumph in the capital was against Fulham last season, in late February, 2-1 (Giggs, Ronaldo).

Upton Park. Chelsea must forget all about the League Cup final as they look to strengthen their league position against fellow Londoners West Ham.

Boss Avram Grant wants Chelsea to appoint a director of football to make things 'easier' for him while Peter Kenyon has restated the Blues' desire to keep Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

Chelsea will be keen to claim their third double of the season at West Ham (won 1-0 earlier in season) after they had beaten Birmingham and Reading home and away.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has urged the fans to show more patience with striker Dean Ashton.

Reebok Stadium. Bolton's remarkable draw at Atletico Madrid to progress to the fourth round of the Uefa Cup took its toll on the players in the Lancashire derby against Blackburn as they went down 4-1 at Ewood Park.

The Trotters, who are three points outside the relegation zone, face Liverpool tomorrow.

The Reds were also involved in a 2-0 win over Inter and then defeated Middlesbrough 3-2 at Anfield... both matches were played on home territory.

Fernando Torres, having netted a total of 21 goals in debut season at Anfield, remarked that he wanted the fans to remember him for title he won and not for the goals scored.

Goodison Park. After the 2-0 triumph at Manchester City on Monday night, Everton host Portsmouth tomorrow afternoon.

Both clubs are looking to secure a passport to the continent and seem to be well in contention of reaching their target.

On the four occasions the sides met in the Premier League in Merseyside, the Evertonians won three and lost once.

The Toffees' stalwart Phil Jagielka has high hopes that the side's Uefa Cup run is assisting them in the Premier League.

Harry Redknapp was full of praise for the 'unique' Kanu after his club's vital win over Sunderland.

St Andrews. Spaniard Juande Ramos's revolution at Tottenham has started to gain pace as they went past London rivals Chelsea to lift the League Cup in extra time (2-1).

Tottenham, who deserved to win the silverware, will gain the confidence needed to end the campaign on a high and improve their placing in the classification, even if they have already gained a Uefa Cup place.

The Lilywhites travel to the Midlands to square up to Birmingham. The latter were also overjoyed in the weekend to earn a point (2-2) against Arsenal despite playing with 10 men for most of the match.

It has been some time since Jonathan Woodgate played so heartedly and deservedly won the 'player of the match' award at Wembley.

City of Manchester Stadium. Manchester City have lost their second home match of the season against Everton. Today they stay at home to tackle Wigan.

The Latics have widened the daylight between them and the relegation contenders following their significant 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Derby.

Steve Bruce is doing a fine job at the JJB Stadium even if his selection options are limited.

Paul Jewell, who returned to his ex-club with defeated Derby, remarked that he turned down Wigan as he did not want to be seen as two-faced and a money-grabber when he was wanted for a second spell.

Riverside Stadium. Gareth Southgate has warned his players that though they are seven points off the bottom three, they must still win points in front of their own fans as they face struggling Reading.

The Royals, having lost eight straight Premier League matches, appear to be heading to the Championship come May.

Pride Park. Derby are practically doomed and that is no news. Yet, their opponents Sunderland are in dire straits, fighting for dear life.

The Black Cats, who along with the bottom three teams have not won away, will look at this fixture as the ideal breakthrough that can give them more space to breathe.

Manager Roy Keane accused his players of being 'overawed' by Portsmouth in the 0-1 defeat at Fratton Park.