On this day ... 2001
December 19th 2010 11:05
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
With very little Premier League football to review from yesterday, and none to preview today, I've decided to do a blast from the past. This day, December 19th, nine years ago in 2001, saw Newcastle United record a stunning victory at Arsenal. That night at Highbury, still to this day remains one of my favourite football memories, ever.
Sir Bobby Robson was at the healm for the Magpies, and of course, Wenger was at the Gunners. Nearing the Christmas period, Newcastle travelled to Arsenal, looking for the first win in the Capital, for four years. Whoever won this match, would go into Christmas day, top of the Premier League. Here are how the sides lined up;
Arsenal
Stuart Taylor
Lauren
Sol Campbell
Martin Keown
Ashley Cole
Robert Pires
Ray Parlour
Patrick Vieira
Silvan Wiltord
Kanu
Thierry Henry
Newcastle
Shay Given
Aaron Hughes
Robbie Elliott
Andy O'Brien
Nikos Dabizas
Olivier Bernard
Gary Speed
Kieren Dyer
Nolberto Solano
Craig Bellamy
Alan Shearer
The conditions were terrible, as a rain stricken Highbury pitch made beautiful football very difficult. The home side dominated the first half however, and took a deserved lead in the 20th minute, through Pires. In a game which was to have plenty of controversary, it appeared the Frenchman handled the ball in the build up to the goal, but nothing was given, and 1-0 to Arsenal it was.
The Gunners went on playing well in the first half, but the momentum switched just before the break. In a bizarre incident, referee Graham Poll sent off Ray Parlour for a second bookable offence, fouling Shearer from behind. But the Toon skipper pleaded with Poll, that Parlous shouldn't be sent off. Ever the gentleman, big Al's pleads luckily fell on deaf ears, and despite being behind at the interval, we were back in it.
After 58 minutes, Sir Bobby made an instrumental double substitution. Off went Solano and Elliott, and on came Lomano Lua Lua and Laurent Robert. And what an impact they had! After winning a corner, Lua Lua stuck it on centre back Andy O'Brien's head, 1-1. All of a sudden, a win in London at the 30th attempt seemed a big possibility.
But Graham Poll was to take centre stage again in the 72nd minute. After an accidental collision with a diving Ashley Cole, Bellamy was shown a straight red card, for hitting the Englishman in the face. Maybe it was our striker's reputation that had him sent off, as it does sound like something he would do. But on this occasion he was innocent. But nevertheless, the pendulum had swung again, 1-1, 10 men each, 10 minutes to go, everything to play for.
Poll just hadn't had enough of the limelight yet though. With five minutes to go, he awarded the away side a dubious looking penalty. Future mag Sol Campbell had committed a 'foul' on Robert in the box, but the challenge looked legal. Alan Shearer didn't complain about the decision this time, stepping up and smashing it home. Newcastle United were within touching distance, of a famous win, and the summit of the Premier League table.
Substitute Laurent Robert broke clear in the last minute, sprinting through on goal before cooly finishing past Taylor, to make it 3-1. The travelling Toon army went crazy. On a winter's evening, in the capital city, Newcastle were going top of the Premier League.
Obviously, we didn't go on to seal the title, but considering where the club was when Robson took over in late 1999, going into Christmas two years later top, was a huge achievement. Newcastle United ended the 2001/02 season, in fourth place, before going one position better the following season. Oh for these days to return, RIP Sir Bobby Robson.
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But for Newcastle, one of my happiest ever memories!