DERBY hero Nikos Dabizas has admitted that the Newcastle dressing-room is secretly buzzing with title talk.

Manager Bobby Robson was quick to escape the wild celebrations behind closed doors after Sunday's long-awaited victory over rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

"I've had to come out of there,'' said 69-year-old Robson, who continues to play down his side's championship chances.

But double-chasing Newcastle are now masters of their own destiny.

The defeat of Sunderland lifted them back into second place in the Premiership, two points behind Manchester United but with a game in hand on the champions.

Saturday's visit of third-placed Arsenal, a point behind the Magpies from the same number of games, could prove pivotal in the seasons of both sides, who meet again on Tyneside seven days later in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

In between, Newcastle face another crucial League game at fourth-placed Liverpool, who have played a match more than the Geordies and are two points in arrears.

Newcastle are still regarded by many as an outside bet to land their first top-flight title in 75 years.

But Dabizas, who grabbed the only goal against Sunderland, believes that being in the shadows could work in his side's favour.

The centre-back said: "We have a very tough game now against Arsenal, then we have Liverpool away four days later.

"We're not the favourites for the title, but it's good for us that people don't highlight us and give us the attention we deserve.

"We finished 13th and 11th in the last two seasons and we have taken a massive step forward this season.

"We do talk about our chances - we can't hide our feelings. We have a game in hand and as long as we stay near the top, we'll just see what happens.''

The signings last summer of Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert, for a combined £16m, have added a fresh edge to Robson's side.

And Dabizas added: "Basically, we're a new team because we have two new players who have made a big difference and are still improving.

"As a team, we have a lot of things to improve on, but we are playing exciting football and we can compete with the best in the country.''

Dabizas sealed Newcastle's first win against Sunderland in seven attempts and confessed the goal gave him greater satisfaction than the one he scored in the triumph over Man United.

The Greek international makes a habit of scoring on his derby travels - he was on target at Middlesbrough three seasons ago and again last September in a 4-1 Riverside romp.

A week later, he netted Newcastle's third in their memorable 4-3 eclipse of the champions at St. James' Park.

But Dabizas, whose 14 goals make him the Magpies' highest-scoring defender of all time, insisted: "The one against Sunderland has given me more pleasure.

"The difference is that this was the winning goal. Everybody says it doesn't matter who scores as long as you win.

"But that's not the case for me! It was important for me to score because I had two great chances to score before that.

"This was also the biggest game of the season for us and one we wanted to win. Everybody was expecting us to drop points, so it is a massive win for us.''

Keeper Shay Given brought off more breathtaking saves as Newcastle recorded their sixth successive League and Cup win, and Dabizas declared: "Shay has been outstanding all season.

"He's proved he's a world-class keeper and, in my opinion, he's the top keeper in the country at the moment. He's very consistent and doesn't give bad goals away.''

Given's display was all the more remarkable for the fact that he rose from his sickbed only hours before the game.

The Republic of Ireland international said: "I felt terrible on Friday and didn't train for two days.''

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