Newcastle United’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Norwich City was not the first time they have pulled off a great escape.
Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle scores their fourth goal
Newcastle’s last-gasp 4-3 victory against Norwich tonight will have sent supporters home feeling overwhelmed with emotion. Rescuing a win from the jaws of defeat in such a dramatic way is one of the most emotionally draining aspects of sport, but it is not something that should come as a completely unnatural phenomenon to Geordies.
While they have been privy to some woeful performances in recent years, they have have also been afforded to opportunity to witness some outstanding comebacks, where the Magpies simply refuse to give in.
Take a look at five of the best Newcastle comebacks in recent years.
5th February 2011 – Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal
If any match-going supporters had turned up to St. James’ Park ten minutes late, they would have missed the opening three goals – they were all in Arsenal’s favour. By the end of the first half, the Gunners would have added a fourth and the symphony of boos were ringing out.
With Andy Carroll having recently departed, a source of goals for the Magpies looked scarce, so it was quite the surprise when they managed to salvage a result.
Abou Diaby’s red card proved a catalyst for the fightback, following his melee with Joey Barton, before the former Man City midfielder converted two penalties either side of a Leon Best strike to set up a grandstand finish.
The equaliser the crowd craved duly arrived from an unlikely source, Cheick Tiote crashing in a 25-yard strike in the dying minutes to send the 52,000 Geordies into raptures. He has not repeated the feat since.
Cheick Tiote celebrates after scoring Newcastle’s fourth goal
22nd December 2001 – Leeds 3-4 Newcastle
Newcastle remained top of the Premiership after hauling themselves back from a 3-1 deficit to claim a Christmas win at Elland Road.
Craig Bellamy had given the hosts the lead after 38 minutes, only for Lee Bowyer to immediately equalise against his future employers. Mark Viduka would follow suit early in the second half, before Ian Harte whipped home a free-kick to leave Sir Bobby Robson staring at a fifth defeat of the season.
Robbie Elliott quickly pulled one back however, before Alan Shearer converted a penalty on 71 minutes. The game looked as though it would peter out to a 3-3 draw, before Nolberto Solano popped up in injury-time to steal all three points and keep the Geordies at the top of the pile.
Paul Robinson Leeds
21st October 2003 – Fulham 2-3 Newcastle
Fulham were left stunned as Champions League-chasing Newcastle recovered from a disastrous start to collect all three points from Craven Cottage.
Newcastle began the game with their heads still at home as former Toon boys Lee Clark Clark and Louis Saha bagged inside the opening ten minutes. However, Laurent Robert half-volleyed home a strike five minutes later to spark the resurgence.
The Magpies had to wait until the second half to find the equaliser, when Alan Shearer converted a spot-kick before the club’s talisman bagged again on 56 minutes to seal the points for Sir Bobby Robson’s men.
Louis Saha and Sean Davies celebrate
2nd February 1997 – Newcastle 4-3 Leicester
With Leicester winning 3-1 at St. James’ Park with only 14 minutes left, all hope seemed lost in St. James’ Park as the Tyneside faithful were once again forced to witness another title bid crumble before their eyes.
As it stood, there were eight points between them and the Premier League’s summit. With it being February, surely it would prove insurmountable were they to drop three points here. Step forward Alan Shearer.
Robbie Elliot had given the hosts the lead after just two minutes, but the Foxes had fought back valiantly through goals from Matt Elliott, Steve Claridge and Emile Heskey. The championship looked gone, only for the anonymous Shearer to smash home a free-kick on 76 minutes.
The equaliser arrived ten minutes later, his strike nutmegging Julian Watts en route to goal. And then, in the last minute, the local hero was on hand once again to apply the finishing touches to a Rob Lee cross.
General view of the statue
13th January 1990 – Newcastle 5-4 Leicester
During the 89/90 season, both Newcastle and Leicester were battling it out in the second tier.
Newly-relegated Newcastle were pushing for an immediate return to the First Division but found themselves trailing 4-2 when the Foxes visited St. James’ Park. Goals from John Gallagher, Mick Quinn and Mark McGhee rescued victory for the Magpies however.
There must be something about Leicester that brings out the best in Newcastle. Well, perhaps not in recent years.
Mick Quinn – Newcastle United
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