THE St. James' Park atmosphere at its peak is the best in the world, believes Kevin Keegan.

But the United players have to earn the Toon Army's backing from the start of games to recreate the halcyon days of the mid-90s, says the United boss.

King Kev savoured the red-hot Tyne-Wear derby atmosphere as two Michael Owen goals sunk rivals Sunderland at St. James' Park then said: "You don't get atmosphere like that anywhere in the world - it's fantastic.

"Terry Mac turned to me with five minutes to go when they were singing and said: `It's like the old days, gaffer.

"The players see that, and I told the players the truth: you will have that every week before you start if you get results - I've seen it here before.

PITCH PERFECT ... NUFC fan and English National Opera singer Graeme Danby got the Geordie crowd in a real frenzy just before kick-off with an amazing version of our world-famous anthem The Blaydon Races.

"They are the best in the world - you don't normally see an atmosphere like that in a stadium. When it gets like that it's absolutely the only place in the world to be - and I've played at Liverpool and at the Maracana and at the NepStadion in Hungary, but this is the best place in the world.

"But we used to have an atmosphere like that BEFORE the game because of what we had done. This team has got to learn that yet.

"If they get results and performances, they will get that from the start and that will inspire them.

"This is probably the first time they've really had the special atmosphere you can get here., but the last ten minutes today was exceptional."

Watch King Kev, Michael Owen and Steve Harper on Newcastle World TV in our great derby hat-trick for you to enjoy!