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Rob Spereall (@rob_spereall)

The best NUFC matches since August 1992 (20-16)


In April 2020, myself and my brother, David created our individual lists of ranking our top 100 NUFC matches since August 1992.

This series of articles goes through the top 30 from our combined list. The criteria for the rankings in our lists were subjectively about drama, significance, excitement, result and occasion.

20) Manchester United 0 - 1 Newcastle United - Premier League (07/12/2013)

Rob: 6th

Dave: 39th

Yohan Cabaye scored the game's only goal as Newcastle secured their first win over Man United at Old Trafford since February 1972.

Following a tightly contested first half, Man United were struggling to get a hold of the game. Hatem Ben Arfa was pulling the strings the Magpies down the right hand side and set up Cabaye after pulling it back to the midfielder on the edge of the box, the French international then buried the shot into the bottom to give Newcastle the lead.

Soon after the goal, the Newcastle fans had Vurnon Anita to thank for a clearance off the line from Robin van Persie's header. The Toon then saw out the game to come away with a historic win to inflict more misery and Man United's then new manager, David Moyes.

On a personal note, this win meant so much to me because it was on that morning that I had a job interview for my gap year starting the following summer. I got back into Darlington in time to watch the match in a bar. It was during the first half that I got the call from my future boss offering me the job which I delightfully accepted and then Newcastle got the win which made the day all the more sweeter.

19) Newcastle United 2 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur - FA Cup Semi-Final (11/04/1999)

Rob: 17th

Dave: 25th

Alan Shearer once again sent Newcastle to an FA Cup final after scoring the crucial goals against Tottenham in the semi-final at Old Trafford.

During normal time, the match could have easily gone either way and Ruud Gullit's side, who have been somewhat reliant on their FA Cup run to keep up morale in the squad, managed to force Spurs to an extra half an hour in search of a winner to go to Wembley.

It was then in the second period of extra time when the deadlock was finally broken. The Newcastle legend, Alan Shearer scored from the penalty spot to give the Magpies one foot in the final. The result was then secured when Shearer came up when needed again as he let fly from just outside the box and he ball cannoned in via the bar. Newcastle were on their way Wembley for the second time in as many years.

18) Leeds United 3 - 4 Newcastle United - Premier League (22/12/2001)

Rob: 30th

Dave: 12th

A thrilling Christmas comeback was the story at Elland Road as Newcastle came from 3-1 down to snatch all three points from the Yorkshire side.

Following a goalless opening half an hour, Craig Bellamy continued his blistering form in his first season on Tyneside by netting the game's opening goal which was quickly ruled out by future Newcastle man, Lee Bowyer.

Leeds began the second half as the better team. Another future Newcastle man, Mark Viduka gave Leeds the lead before Ian Harte's excellent strike doubled the lead. Magpies veteran, Robbie Elliott pulled one back to bring the match back in the balance before Alan Shearer converted a penalty to equalise.

The game went down to the dying minutes and it was the legend, Nolberto Solano that managed to complete the comeback with a shot in the bottom corner to send the Newcastle faithful home happy and top of the table at Christmas.

17) Sunderland 1 - 4 Newcastle United - Premier League (17/04/2006)

Rob: 10th

Dave: 31st

The Magpies ran riot on an Easter Monday afternoon as they destroyed Sunderland in a season to forget for the mackems.

Full back Justin Hoyte gave the Sunderland fans a rare chance to celebrate by giving them the lead on the half hour mark. After 60 minutes, Newcastle began their riot with three goals in the space of six minutes.

Michael Chopra just wandered onto the pitch and ghosted through the defence to equalise. Just a minute later, Alan Shearer, for the 206th and final time, scored for Newcastle just before he had to come off injured which finished his career. Moments later, Charles N'Zogbia scored to take the game away from the black cats before Albert Luque wrapped it up in the closing stages with his one and only Premier League goal.

16) Newcastle United 2 - 1 Manchester City - Premier League (29/01/2019)

Rob: 16th

Dave: 24th

An incredible win for Newcastle gave Liverpool's title hopes a big boost as the feel good factor was coming back to Tyneside with consecutive Premier League wins.

Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after only just 33 seconds which prompted many Newcastle fans to think that they could see something of a cricket score come the end of the evening.

Despite the early setback, Rafa Benitez persisted with the game plan and had Fabian Schar to thank for preventing a second Man City goal with an excellent block in the six-yard box. The Citizens also had a second goal disallowed in the first half which subsequently saw Kevin De Bruyne in the referee's book.

The second half began in similar fashion to how the first half played out. Raheem Sterling missed a close range chance as he failed to connect with the ball. Halfway through the second half, Newcastle, out of nothing, equalised thanks to a Salomon Rondon volley. Heading into the closing stages, Sean Longstaff won a penalty after being brought down by Fernandinho.

Despite Ederson's mind games in feigning an injury before the penalty was taken, Matt Ritchie was converted the penalty in confident fashion and Benitez's side was able to hold on for an unbelievable three points on Tyneside.

Honourable mentions

70) Newcastle United 3 - 1 Middlesbrough - Premier League (11/05/2009)

69) Newcastle United 2 - 1 Chelsea - Premier League (06/12/2014)

68) Arsenal 0 - 1 Newcastle United - Premier League (07/11/2010)

67) Newcastle United 2 - 1 Dynamo Kiev - Champions League First Group Stage (29/10/2002)

66) Newcastle United 6 - 2 Everton - Premier League (29/03/2002)

65) Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 2 Newcastle United - Premier League (13/12/2015)

64) Newcastle United 4 - 3 Manchester City - Premier League (24/10/2004)

63) Sunderland 1 - 2 Newcastle United - Premier League (04/09/1996)

62) Newcastle United 6 - 2 Norwich City - Premier League (18/10/2015)

61) Newcastle United 3 - 0 Charlton Athletic - Premier League (20/04/2002)

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