Kevin: I Won't Flee Toon

Feb 24 2008 By Euan Mclean

GUTTED Kevin Keegan has vowed he won't walk out on Newcastle after yesterday's 5-1 thrashing dropped them deeper into the relegation mire.

The Magpies' awful start to his second spell in charge has sparked rumours gaffer Keegan is already considering his position.

But yesterday he defiantly vowed to turn around the crisis club.

He said: "I'm here for the three and a half years I signed for.

"This is a club I love and I want to take it back where I think it belongs.

"My commitment is 100 per cent. That was a difficult day and we suffered for the two poor goals we conceded in the first half.

"But I'm still optimistic because the players are giving the effort.

"They got beat 5-1 but Man United can do that to anybody - a week ago they beat Arsenal 4-0. So we mustn't get carried away even though it hurts.

"We need 40 points to be safe and we've got 28 but I'm still optimistic.

"We have honest players who care but you must be streetwise and have better concentration."

Sir Alex Ferguson praised his superb attacking players as United closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to three points.

Fergie said: "Ronaldo and Rooney will get the headlines for scoring two each but Tevez and the penetration of Nani contributed to that.

"It was a good team performance and I'm delighted.

Coming to a volatile place like this is tough but we kept them quiet."