December 27th, 1995, saw the Premier League title contenders come head to head at Old Trafford, as Kevin Keegan led his Newcastle side against Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
The Magpies were 10 points clear at the top and faced a Manchester United side missing defensive stalwarts Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister and starting with David May and a young Gary Neville in the centre of the backline.
The Class of ’92 were establishing themselves as regulars on the United side, with the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, and David Beckham all starting on a cold night in Manchester.
Another member of that famous FA Youth Cup-winning side was Ryan Giggs, although the Welshman had already made his debut in the first team prior to 1992, making his first start before the Premier League came into existence.
It was Giggs’ lovely left-footed pass that presented Andy Cole with a chance to score after just six minutes. Former Newcastle striker Cole had joined the Red Devils the previous January and, in some quarters, had been the scapegoat after Blackburn had pipped Fergie’s side to the title.
Cole’s goalscoring record at Newcastle was phenomenal, and it was only a matter of time before he came good with the United in red. Without breaking stride, he struck a powerful side-footed effort across Pavel Srnicek and into the far corner of the net. 1-0 to the chasing reds after just six minutes.
The visitors had a chance to equalise through Les Ferdinand, only for Peter Schmeichel to rescue his side with the England striker bearing down on goal. Ryan Giggs then hit the bar at the start of the second half before an excellent pass from Phil Neville found Roy Keane alone in the Newcastle box.
The Irishman had been moved from his usual midfield position to the heart of defence due to David May’s injury. Keane took the ball down and struck it on the bounce, firing it low into the net past a helpless Srnicek. 2-0 and daylight.
David Beckham and Andy Cole, the latter on at least three occasions, had opportunities to put the game to bed but failed to take them. Still, the hosts ran out 2-0 winners and closed the gap on Keegan’s side to seven points.
What Happened Next?
Newcastle recovered well from this setback, winning all of their next five Premier League matches to open up a 12-point gap over Manchester United.
However, an eight-game spell spanning February to April would ultimately lead the Magpies to a trophyless season. A 3-0 defeat at West Ham United on February 21st was the beginning of a run that saw just two wins and five defeats in those eight matches.
Eventually, Ferguson’s United clawed their way back and won their third title in four years, thanks to a run of 15 wins and just two defeats in 19 matches during the second half of the campaign.