The events on Tyneside have overtaken EastEnders as the soap of choice but, for those with an affinity, it doesn't make for very comfortable viewing.

Wednesday's defeat to Spurs – a club that usually don't even turn up for meetings at St James' Park – was another miserable episode in the drama that has veered from promise (remember a well-earned point at Old Trafford a few weeks ago?) to shambles quicker than you can say Albert Square wife swapping.

You can imagine, therefore, my glee at turning on Sky's Soccer Special on Tuesday to find out that the Cobblers were a goal up at Sunderland and cruising.

Another look a few minutes later and it was 2-0.

However poorly Newcastle are doing, they haven't succumbed to the potential giant-killing that was staring me in the face.

That it didn't quite turn out like that is a pity because Roy Keane's side were, by all accounts, there for the taking.

At least it shows that Stuart Gray's outfit are capable of competing with the Premier League sides of this world.

Hopefully they can take this form into the league and a promotion push because, the way things are going in the north-east, I wouldn't mind making a trip to Sixfields next season to watch Michael Owen, Nicky Butt et al.