First-half goals from new signings Liam Miller and Graham Kavanagh were added to by Stephen Elliott shortly after the break to send 5,000 Sunderland fans into ecstasy.

This latest victory – Sunderland’s third straight win and their second since Keane took the helm – was every bit as convincing as the scoreline suggests.

Keane made some astute signings prior to the closure of the transfer window and is threatening to turn a team of losers into serious promotion contenders.

By stark contrast, Leeds boss Blackwell is fighting desperately to save his job after watching his side slump to a third straight home defeat to lie in the relegation places.

Leeds fans again chanted ‘Blackwell, time to go’ when Kavanagh made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time and repeated those chants during the second half.

Not that any of the hysteria distracted Keane from the task in hand.

The Irishman was predictably subjected to abuse by the Leeds fans – two of whom attempted to confront the Sunderland boss at the beginning of the second half before being led away by stewards.

But he remained calm and composed throughout as his players did all of his talking to him at a ground where he endured one of his darkest days. The 35-year-old Keane suffered debilitating knee damage at Leeds in November 1997 when he tried to illegally upend Alf Inge Haaland.

The challenge sidelined Keane for nine months and although he was met with the predictable boos and anti-Manchester United chants prior to kick-off, the taunts were quickly drowned out by the huge travelling army of Sunderland fans.

Sunderland were dominant from the outset and Keane again named five of his new singings in his starting line-up.

Leeds’ goal began to live a charmed existence and it was breached in the 28th minute when Sunderland orchestrated a beautifully worked goal.

Robbie Elliott carried the ball deep into Leeds territory and his neat pass found Ross Wallace, who swiftly move the ball on to Miller on the far side of the penalty area.

The former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder, who spent a period on loan at Leeds last season, was completely unmarked on the right side of the penalty box.

He took one touch before hitting a low and hard diagonal shot into the far corner from around 10 yards.

The goal further inspired Sunderland only an excellent save from Tony Warner prevented Kavanagh’s 20-yard volley from finding the top corner nine minutes before the break.

Three minutes before the break Sunderland were dealt a blow as David Connolly was forced off through injury and replaced by Stephen Elliott.

But moments later it was 2-0 as Kavanagh latched on to Daryl Murphy’s flick and lashed a vicious 20-yard volley past Warner’s despairing dive.

When Keane re-emerged after the break, two middle-aged Leeds fans clambered on to the track by the pitch and attempted to confront the Sunderland fans.

They were belatedly ushered away by stewards and barely a minute later Sunderland extended their lead when goalkeeper Ben Alnwick punted a long clearance up field.

The impressive Murphy flicked the ball into the path of Stephen Elliott, who hit a superb volley into the far corner.

Blackwell had replaced Eddie Lewis with debutant Kevin Nicholls at the break - and also replaced Steve Stone with Seb Carole.

But Sunderland held on comfortably to heap the pressure on Blackwell during a memorable night for Keane as the cheers for the Black Cats drowned out the boos for faltering Leeds.