No. 24 – Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle
TIA forum member Bojde takes us back to 3rd April 1996 for our classic 4-3 win over Newcastle, the night Liverpool dashed Newcastle‘s title hopes in dramatic fashion….
“Barnes, Rush, Barnes, still John Barnes…Collymore closing in…” Some say that result ended Newcastle United’s chase for the title that season, some also say that our 4-4 draw with Arsenal this season was the result that ended our race for the title. In my opinion those two games I have mentioned are very similar in that you see fundamental defensive negligence at almost every turn in both games, from Liverpool’s shambolic offside trap to Stan Collymore’s winner to Aurelio’s failed clearance landed at the foot of Arshavin to put it in the net to give him his hattrick and make the score 3-2 to Arsenal.
There was also bucket loads of goals scored in both games and they were both played in April. The only difference between the two though is that the match v Newcastle was even more special than the one v Arsenal.
Newcastle came off the bus at Anfield in April 1996 knowing that they still had a realistic chance of pipping Manchester United to the Premier League title, Kevin Keegan included who actually looked like a bus driver in the attire he chose to wear for the game.
Robbie Fowler got Liverpool off to a dream start by scoring after just two minutes. But the visitors hit back with an equaliser eight minutes later through Les Ferdinand and went in front on 14 minutes with a David Ginola strike. Only a superb save by James prevented Lee, on a solo run, putting Newcastle two up early in the second half, but by now Liverpool were in the groove.
Fowler levelled the scores with a low shot from 14 yards, taken as coolly as Greaves of old, when McManaman put the ball to his feet from square on the right. Former Parma ace Faustino Asprilla restored Newcastle‘s lead two minutes later.
Newcastle were 3-2 up and on course to go level on points with leaders Manchester United with a game in hand, until Stan Collymore broke their hearts. Liverpool’s response was not long arriving: McManaman to McAteer down the right, a curling low cross, a stab from Collymore, with Newcastle again in disarray. Scenting victory, Liverpool’s pressure mounted. “Barnes, Rush, Barnes, still John Barnes… Collymore closing in…”
Rush having come on in the 86th minute for Jones, he and Barnes set up the opening for Collymore to crash home the winner and to put an end to one of the most exhilarating games the Premier League has ever seen..
Liverpools Team v Newcastle :
David James, Neil Ruddock, Mark Wright, Rob Jones, John Scales, Jason McAteer, Steve McManaman, Jamie Redknapp, John Barnes, Robbie Fowler, Stan Collymore
Fan Comments