Aye, life has turned out canny for Geordie loyalists. Goodbye to Mike Ashley's poisonous era. Ta ta, Steve Bruce. Hello hope. Howe's that for a change of fortune!
Crystal Palace arrive at the cathedral on the hill with Newcastle truly the party city of reputation celebrating Premier League survival from the depths of despair and looking towards an exciting future.
Such has been United's charge to the sunny uplands of the mountain side that they are chasing their best winning streak at home in 18 years since they won six successive matches at St James' Park between January and April 2004 under Sir Bobby Robson.
