KIERON DYER has been provided with precious few positive football memories by the city of Southampton.

Before Saturday he had failed in his near five years with Newcastle to enjoy success at the Hampshire venue and, at 5.35pm, the Magpies wait for a win there stood at 32 years and counting.

But the worst moment of the 25-year-old's career came in May 2002 at the St Mary's Stadium, when a crude lunge by Southampton's Tahar El Khalej left his World Cup dreams in tatters.

A knee injury on the eve of the festivities in Japan and South Korea curtailed his role in Asia to the extent that his presence hardly registered in England's march to the quarter finals.

In truth he was never fit enough to make his mark and, although Dyer will never forget the Moroccan's impact on his World Cup chances, on Saturday evening he went a long way to expunging that particular memory from his instant recall.

His relentless requests to Sir Bobby Robson for a forward role were answered and, he in turn, answered his critics with a two-goal salvo.

His return along with that of the impressive Jonathan Woodgate - back after recoveriung from a hamstring tear - were the two major reasons for the Magpies successfully negotiating their way into the hat for the FA Cup fourth round draw today.

With a constipation problem apparently alleviated, and a manager prepared to listen to his requests, Dyer set about proving he could be the man to play a similar attacking role for the England side.

He said afterwards: "It's a role I enjoy playing. I have been nagging the manager for ages to play me there.

"He gave me the opportunity and it's nice to be able to repay him with a couple of goals.

"I prefer playing there because its all out attack. There aren't so many defensive responsibilities.

"It gives me the chance to really go at defenders. It's a role I have played for England and it seems to be a role that Sven-Goran Eriksson likes me playing.

"I think it is a position I can play for England but I have to show I can do it for Newcastle consistently first.

"I have not scored enough goals over the last two seasons but hopefully that will change if I can stay up front for a while."

The win itself was routine after Newcastle survived an early burst of pressure, and then a 15 minute spell in the second-half when Saints threatened to claw their way back into the game.

A Claus Lundekvam header - saved by Shay Given at the second attempt - and an effort headed over by James Beattie from former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips' cross was the best the home side had to offer.

Robson said: "We were prepared for a battle after half-time.

"We had the 2-0 cushion but it was just going their way a little bit when Kieron Dyer killed the game off with a sensational goal.

"It was amazing really. He had a minor stomach operation on Monday, he hardly trained Tuesday, had a better day Wednesday and we gave him Thursday off.

"He trained lightly on Friday and then he's played like that on Saturday.

"He's quite remarkable. He's like that in that he doesn't need a lot of training to produce a performance like that."

That performance included Dyer's first goals of the season; his first in almost a year and his first in 36 games.

Those facts were not lost on his manager. Sir Bobby, it appears, has been driven to distraction by the lack of goals from his midfielder. He said: "Have we talked to him about it? We've talked to him about it and we've asked him can you finish?

"We know he gets there but we've asked him can you put it past the keeper? He's told me yes and he's done it here."

The first came a minute after he'd displayed what is seen as his more typical profligacy in front of goal. On 23 minutes a clever free-kick from Laurent Robert was played via Nolberto Solano to Dyer in the box, but he lost his footing and failed to shoot.

Sixty seconds later and all was forgiven. A cross by Aaron Hughes was flicked on by Solano and Dyer steadied himself before picking his spot with a half volley from eight yards.

His second was exquisite. A swift move from defence to attack saw Gary Speed clip a pass to Alan Shearer who laid the ball off to release Dyer just inside the Southampton half.

He drove purposefully at the Saints' defence leaving Lundekvam and Michael Svensson in his wake before firing in a left footed drive from 12 yards.

In between his two strikes Robert picked up the pieces after the Saints' defence only half cleared a corner driving his effort home off Antti Niemi.

But the glory belonged to Dyer and now he has persuaded his club manager he's worthy of a run in attack, the England man has the small matter of persuading Sven of his worth up front.

Good luck Kieron!

Result: Southampton 0 Newcastle United 3.

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