Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan admits his players were taken aback by the St James' Park atmosphere in Sunday's victory over Sunderland.

Keegan told the Evening Chronicle: "I have not experienced that kind of atmosphere in the new, expanded stadium, so I was really knocked out by it. It reminded me of the old days.

"When you think about it, what was different in the old days was the stadium. It wasn't as big.

"The players enjoyed it - I think they earned that.

"After the game a lot of the players came in and said %uFFFDwow, what an atmosphere'.

"I don't think a lot of them, because of results, have had a chance to sample it.

"They have now and they've got to want more of it."