Newcastle United Home LS 1995/1997

Newcastle United Home LS 1995/1997

Season 1995/1996
The 1995–96 season saw Sir John Hall’s millions allow Newcastle to invest heavily in players from across the world. With a total of some £16 million spent on the signings of Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Warren Barton and Shaka Hislop before the start of the season, Kevin Keegan’s team made a strong start. Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla and England midfielder David Batty were also attracted to the north-east in February 1996 for a combined total of around £11 million.

An explosive start to the season saw Newcastle storm to the top of the Premier League table. Newcastle led the league for virtually all of the season from August until mid-March. By Christmas had established a 10-point lead over Manchester United. Though they lost 2–0 at Old Trafford on 27 December. They still managed to extend this lead to 12 points on 20 January 1996, putting them in prime position for the title with 15 matches remaining.

However, Manchester United – bolstered by the return of Eric Cantona from suspension – then enjoyed a surge in form. Despite an emphatic 2–1 win at Middlesbrough largely inspired by debutant Faustino Asprilla, Newcastle lost five of their next eight. Newcastle dropped vital points away to West Ham and Manchester City. Whilst a 1–0 win for Alex Ferguson’s team at St James’ Park on 4 March ended Newcastle’s 100% home record in the league. And it cut their lead to a single point. Further away defeats at Arsenal, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers proved crucial. It allowed Manchester United to overtake them and establish a lead that would ultimately prove decisive.

Ferguson’s mind games added further heat to the title race and provoked an infamous rant from Keegan live on Sky Sports on 29 April 1996. Following his team’s 1–0 win at Leeds United. A 1–1 draw at Nottingham Forest three days later left Newcastle needing to beat Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United needing to lose against Middlesbrough, if the title was to return to Tyneside for the first time since 1927. In the end, a 1–1 draw proved academic as Manchester United beat the Teessiders 3–0, thus winning by four points. Newcastle’s second place finish was nonetheless their highest finish for 69 years.

Season 96/97
After the disappointment of finishing runner-up to Manchester United in the previous campaign, despite having at one stage held a 12-point lead over their rivals, the club responded by signing Alan Shearer from Blackburn Rovers in July 1996.

Shearer would go on to become the all-time leading goalscorer in Newcastle United’s history. He began his career at the club inauspiciously – his debut came against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in the 1996 FA Charity Shield. In a game that Newcastle lost 4–0. Newcastle quickly recovered and started the league campaign well, winning seven of their opening eight games.

A 5–0 victory over Manchester United on 20 October 1996 at St James’ Park seemed to confirm that a strong title challenge would again be mounted. But a subsequent poor run of form including a run of seven games without a win. Saw the title challenge falter and ultimately culminated in the resignation of manager Kevin Keegan. Keegan’s replacement, Kenny Dalglish, was appointed on 14 January 1997 and was in charge as United lost 4–3 at Anfield. However, a late season surge in form, including a crucial win at Highbury on 3 May 1997. Saw the club overtake Liverpool and Arsenal to finish runner-up again to Manchester United and qualify for the Champions League.

The Shirt
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