Welcome to the second installment of my "Big 5" series. Today I'm looking at the best home wins during my time as a long suffering Newcastle United supporter.
Newcastle United 5-0 Manchester United 20/10/1996
Fresh from the club showing this game in full on their YouTube channel last weekend, this classic is ripe in the memory. And what a game it was. When watching this game, the time simply flies by, as it epitomises how Newcastle played their football under Kevin Keegan.
First half goals from Darren Peacock (miles over the line!) and a wonder strike from David Ginola, turning a young Gary Neville inside out, Newcastle dominated from start to finish, in a bone crunching game which would have produced a red card or two, were it to be played today.
Second half was much of the same as Man United had no reply to the toon's dominance. Eric Cantona spent most of the game in Phillippe Albert's back pocket. In fact, the only time our Belgian centre-back released the enigmatic frenchman from his impenetrable grasp, was to chip a dumbfounded Peter Schmeichel for the Mag's fifth.
This win took Newcastle back to the top of the Premier League, and surely after messing things up the previous season, it seemed like they couldn't mess it up again!
Newcastle United 3-2 Barcelona 17/9/1997
A second successive second place finish (they did mess it up again) in the Premier League meant Champions League football was coming to St James Park. After eventually seeing off Croatia Zagreb in the qualifying round after extra time. Newcastle were placed in Group C alongside, Dynamo Kiev, PSV Eindhoven and catalan giants Barcelona. It was the Spanish side first up for the black and whites, and this was one hell of a game to remember.
Tino Asprilla rightly took the headlines with a momentus hat-trick, but there was many in a Newcastle shirt deserving of credit, not least Keith Gillespie. The Northern-Irishman gave Barcelona left-back, Sergi a night he'd be desperate to forget. Gillespie's pace too much for the Spaniard, who assisted Asprilla twice with two worldies for crosses, as Newcastle took a 3-0 lead shortly after half-time.
Luis Enrique and Luis Figo (whatever happened to them!) got goals back for the Catalans, but it was to be Newcastle's night, as they secured a famous victory.
Newcastle United 8-0 Sheffield Wednesday 19/9/1999
Going into this game, this was 19th vs 20th in the Premier League. Newcastle had registered just a single point from their opening seven games, Ruud Gullit had been dismissed and after Steve Clarke took temporary charge of a back to back defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea, Bobby Robson had returned home to rescue the sinking ship that was his boyhood club.
Goals from Aaron Hughes, Kieron Dyer, and Gary Speed were paled into almost insignificance, as Alan Shearer racked up five (yes 5) goals to rejuvenate his career in a Newcastle United shirt, after being stifled by the woeful Gullit. Newcastle went on to finish eleventh that season, with Sheffield Wednesday relegated. Sir Bobby rescued Newcastle United, and an 8-0 win isn't a bad way to introduce yourself to St James Park.
Newcastle United 1-0 Juventus 23/10/2002
After rescuing United, Sir Bobby's best season was undoubtedly 2002-03. After finishing fourth the previous season, Newcastle were once again back in the Champions League. After losing their first three games in the group stage, it seemed like the Magpie's participation in the competition was to be short-lived. The task was simple, three games left, three wins needed to qualify for the second group stage. First up was a Juventus side featuring legends such as Buffon, Thuram, Davids, Nedved, and Del-Piero.
The game was a cagey affair, but just after the hour mark, a plucky run by right-back, Andy Griffin saw his shot bounce in off goalkeeper Buffon. Newcastle held on for a famous win, that reinvigorated their European campaign. Wins over Dynamo Kiev and Feyernoord followed, as Sir Bobby's men qualified as group runners-up.
Newcastle United 5-1 Sunderland 31/10/2010
Last but not least is the demolition of Sunderland. Impossible to leave this one out, and is the only game I've featured from the Mike Ashley era. Chris Hughton had guided Newcastle back into the Premier League after a volatile few years resulting in an embarrassing relegation. As they welcomed Sunderland to St James Park on Halloween, Steve Bruce's mackem side were in decent form in the top half of the table. Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck, and Darren Bent all started for the red and whites, but even the most optimistic Newcastle fan, couldn't foresee what was about to hit their fiercest rivals.
A Kevin Nolan hat trick combined with a brace for mackem slayer, Shola Ameobi sent St James Park into ecstasy. Combine that with a red card for former Newcastle liability, Titus Bramble, this was a day no Newcastle fan will ever forget. I myself was in the Gallowgate that day, and remains one of the best days of my life.
Which ones have I missed? Whether they be high scoring games, or matches that are personal and memorable to you, let me know your favourites in the comments!