Prior to kick-off at St James’ Park, it was revealed that Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer and is beginning treatment in hospital.
Newcastle’s fans chanted Keegan’s name prior to kick-off, and choruses of ‘There’s only one Kevin Keegan’ rang around the stadium at regular intervals during the game.
The former Magpies boss was famed for his ‘Entertainers’, with a 4-3 scoreline featuring in a couple of classic matches during his first spell in charge, so last night’s events felt apt.
And having marvelled at Keegan’s heroics during his time in charge on Tyneside, Keegan was proud to have watched his players live up to the 74-year-old’s legacy.
“That team that Kevin created was incredibly special and is still talked about – and quite rightly so – for what it achieved and how it played and the entertainment that it gave everybody,” said Howe, whose side have climbed to sixth in the table after claiming a third successive victory.
“We are always trying to be that team, we want to entertain, we want the supporters here to be on the edge of their seats. Sometimes, unfortunately, we can’t always guarantee that, but today I thought that was us at our thrilling best without playing at our very best.
“Of course, the news before the game really shook us all, I think. Kevin, with what he did here as a player and as a manager, is a truly iconic person. I want to pay tribute to him, really, and just hope he’s okay and send him all our love.”
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One of Howe’s first conversations after being appointed as Newcastle boss was with Keegan, and the pair have spoken on a number of occasions since.
Howe has always thoroughly enjoyed his predecessor’s company, and understands why he is held in such high esteem by everyone who has encountered him.
“He left a huge impression on me,” said Howe. “He’s such an inspirational figure. One of the first things I did when I took the job here was to ring him and speak with him. I wanted to try to get an understanding of what the job was going to look like and what I needed to do.
“He was unbelievable with his time and his insight. I’ve been lucky enough to meet him a couple of times in different scenarios, different events, and he’s always been so kind, so gracious, so giving.
“And humorous. He’s such a funny man, I could listen to his stories for a long, long time. He’s brilliant, and when the news comes today, you feel someone like Kevin has got this zest for life that will never go. It brings back that everyone is human, and we really feel for him and hope he’s going to be okay.”
Keegan would almost certainly have loved Newcastle’s spirited display last night, with the Magpies pegging Leeds back on three separate occasions thanks to goals from Harvey Barnes, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes.
The third of those goals came from the penalty spot in the 90th minute, and looked to have secured a draw, but Newcastle went one better in the 12th minute of stoppage time when Barnes stabbed home his second goal of the game from close range.
It was the first time all season the Magpies had claimed something from a losing position, and while Howe conceded that his side’s performance was far from perfect, he was willing to overlook any flaws in order to praise his players’ character and never-say-die spirit.
“I said to the players after the game, I don’t want to talk about any negatives because that wasn’t our finest performance, we’re well aware of it, but I want to focus on the positives,” he said.
“The comeback win, we haven’t done that; the late goal, we haven’t done that enough; then the never-say-die spirit, the togetherness, the unity.
“We’ve got some special players here and it’s about trying to get them in the right place to produce their best football. It’s only by winning games that you can truly get into that position, so that win will do us the world of good.”