DELIGHTED Newcastle United boss Bobby Robson last night quipped that he was off to the Quayside to celebrate his side's derby victory over Sunderland.

United striker Craig Bellamy was cautioned by police earlier this month for an assault on a woman student at the city-centre hotspot, which is also a familiar haunt of teammate Kieron Dyer.

And 69-year-old Robson joked: "I'll be going down to the Quayside with Bellamy and Dyer!

"I tend not to get too excited these days, but this is one of my happiest days in football.

"The players deserve the credit. They've done the job and worked hard from start to finish.''

It was Robson's first win against Sunderland as Newcastle boss in five attempts, and it means the Wearsiders are still only six points clear of a relegation place.

In contrast, double-chasing Newcastle jumped two places to second, only two points behind champions Manchester United with a game in hand, and Robson confessed: "It's nice to beat Sunderland.

"But they'll be all right. They have enough quality and competitiveness not to let this defeat worry them.

"They'll be okay - and I hope they are.

"This was a massive hurdle cleared and a big victory for us. I can't see Manchester United losing between now and the end of the season unless their European conquests take it out of them.

"They are the team to beat and Arsenal will always be up there.

"We go back to second and the next three matches will tell us if we have a chance.''

Robson insisted Bellamy was wrongly adjudged to be offside when he beat Thomas Sorensen as early as the 16th minute.

And the United boss also hit out at referee Graham Barber's booking of Bellamy for berating Sunderland right-back Bernt Haas.

It was Bellamy's ninth booking and he is now walking a disciplinary tightrope in the knowledge that he will be banned for two games if he receives another yellow card before the second Sunday in April.

"We were robbed of a goal - that was a bad decision,'' said Robson.

"And the referee didn't have to take Bellamy's name - can't players talk to each other these days? I thought he was unfair to Bellamy.''

Keeper Shay Given was Newcastle's hero with a string of magnificent saves, the pick of which was a stunning stop from Kevin Phillips late in the game.

Robson said: "That was an unbelievable save.''

Given said: "I suppose it was a good stop. He hit it really early and took me by surprise, but I managed to get a hand on it. Kevin is capable of that kind of strike.

"Although we're only interested in a Champions' League place, there's something special about winning a derby.

"I made the big saves at the right time. Even when I was making the saves, all I was thinking about was closing in on Man. United."

"And if those three points take us a bit closer to Europe, then it's even sweeter.

"There are still teams at the top with better squads than ours, but the closer we get to the end of the season, the more we believe in ourselves.''

Sunderland boss Peter Reid admitted: "I think they've all got to beat Man. United, but Newcastle have got a great chance.

"They're a good side, we gave them a good game, but you can't take anything away from them.

"We had Shay here at one time and I tried to get him to come here permanently - I've always had a sneaking admiration for him. I always thought he was a top-quality keeper.

"I just wish he hadn't been that today.

"We had good chances, but Shay was fantastic - I shouted goal when Kevin hit it.''

Reid was impressed with the debut of on-loan Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma, who came on as a half-time replacement for Niall Quinn, even though he gave away the free-kick which led to Nikos Dabizas' match-winner.

"He gave away the free-kick, but otherwise I was very pleased with him,'' said Reid. "I think He's going to be a big asset to us.

"I'm just really disappointed for the supporters because they were fantastic. It's a bitter pill to swallow.''

Reid revealed that midfielder Julio Arca was ruled out with a groin injury

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