Football Daily - That Season When... Liverpool Beat Newcastle 4-3

Episode Date: April 3, 2026

In April 1996, Newcastle and Liverpool met at Anfield with both trying to beat Manchester United to the title. What followed was one of the Premier League's greatest ever matches - a 7-goal-thriller with a late winner.  30 years on, former Liverpool player Jason McAteer, former Newcastle defender Steve Howey, the Anfield Wrap's Ian Ryan and the Athletic's George Caulkin join Alistair Bruce-Ball to reflect on the match and its place in Premier League history.TIMECODES: 04:00 - Initial Thoughts 06:15 - The Game's Context 08:00 - The Squads 15:15 - The First Half 29:30 - The Second Half 39:00 - Stoppage Time 46:30 The Impact on the Title Race

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. I'm Tristan Redmond, one of the hosts of the Global Story podcast from the BBC. How would the US invade Iran? Different options are on the table, but the Pentagon has wargamed this for years, and our guest today was in the room for many of them. What are Donald Trump's remaining military options? Listen to the global story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the Football Daily podcast with Alistair Bruce Ball

Over the next hour We are travelling about 30 years To relive one of the greatest games in Premier League history The 3rd of April, 1996 A Wednesday night at Anfield It finished Liverpool 4, Newcastle 3 With both teams in a three-way title race With Manchester United

Now chats who's going to win the championship this year And award Liverpool, Newcastle United You can't win anything with kids. I think they'd be great for the game of football. Three times in the past four seasons, the championship has been won by the club leading the table on Christmas Day. This year, it'll be Newcastle. I can safely say if we put the second half of the season

the same as the first we will be championed, but very easily said, it had to do. Liverpool had turned up the heat in a premiership that is now quite definitely a three-horse race. And for sure, Newcastle fans are sick and tired of being reminded, that they were 12 points ahead of the field in January. Wembley-bound Liverpool had shown no sign of waving a white flag from the battle for the Premiership title.

It's all out attacking by Newcastle, absolutely thrilling, but somewhere along the line you'd have expected the team to take advantage by hitting them on the break. He was across from Cardinal. Oh, he's done well, the Castle level. Ginola's going forward, Macatier struggling, and Ginola scores! What a response from Newcastle!

If you're honest about it, it's a bit of Camaccargy Football, isn't it? I don't think either we'll win the league. Playing like that would be. Whatever happens, you know, it's going to go right through the way. I do think he makes his favourites, but it gives us a better chance that it was a month ago. It's going to be real nip and tuck now at end of season. Liverpool 4, Newcastle 3, the game that took place 30 years ago at Amfield. It's widely regarded as one of the best matches in Premier League history.

We're going to reminisce about that historic night at Amfield. and hear the memories from people who were there and played in it. So helping me to do that. Two people who played in the game, former Liverpool player Jason McAteer, the former Newcastle centre half, Steve Howie. We've also got Ian Ryan from the Anfield Rap, who was in the stadium that day watching the game

and Newcastle fan and writer for the athletic George Corkin. So let's get round everyone quickly to kick off. Jason, first of all, you ended up on the win. team. Is it a game you get asked about more than any other? I know it this time of year you will get asked about it, particularly on an anniversary like this. But in terms of all the games you played in your career?

Yeah, it does crop up. I think the game that probably people ask me about most is the 96th Cup final because I don't even know it, but we wore a white suit. Yeah. So everyone kind of goes there first. But listen, as games go and classics go, it's certainly up there.

I mean, I think Sky voted it is the number one game ever, and I think it still stands. So, yeah, it does crop up from time to time, yeah. And Steve, if, you know, just an initial opening question, what's your overriding memory of that night? Despair, I think, would be the words that you would use. I mean, you know, I think myself and Jason would say it. I mean, it was a great game to play in.

I think it obviously, it's a lot. better from the Liverpool lads as a point of view, being on that team and the winning team. But for us, it was, it's kind of, yeah, in one way you look at it and think it's a classic, but it's massively changed with the disappointment of the results and then ultimately what came after that as well. And Ian knew you were inside the ground as a fan that night.

I mean, it must have really helped, actually, first and foremost, the fact that it was, a Wednesday night under the lights. That must have made a difference in itself. Yeah, absolutely. I think it was one of those games where as soon as you get into the stadium, you could feel it. You could sense that maybe something special was about to unfold.

And that's exactly what happens. I mean, Liverpool play on the Wednesday. He just got to a cup final. You know, Jason alluded to it before. You know, the cup final against Manchester United, which was on the horizon. Liverpool had just beaten Vela 3-0, the semi-final, a few days before.

So it set it up perfectly. So you're going into the game, bouncing as a fan. And obviously within minutes, the game explodes. Yeah. Yeah. And George, for you, I mean, where were you? How do you remember it?

Can I just, before I answer that, can I just say, it's too soon, Allie. This is too soon. Like 30 years' time, maybe. I mean, this is the funny thing about talking about this match and others like it is that, as Steve said, for one team, it's a great memory. But I've never used the word triggering about myself. But this is, I've never watched.

it back. Like, I associate this game with agony. I mean, like with pain, with proper agony. You know, I'm so proud of that team and Kevin Keegan and that era and what they stood for and that season. But well, I was in,

true professional, I was in the pub for this match. But, but yeah, no, I mean, it's such a difficult, I was watching it, watching some of it back today, just the highlights. It's so painful, honestly. But the point to make there, George. So I mean, you and Steve, I think, have sum that up perfectly from the Newcastle point of view.

After this game, there was still a fair bit of the season to run. I mean, Newcastle start the game three points behind Manchester United with two games in hand. They hadn't been on a great run going into the game. But the fact that Steve uses that word despair and you say it's still triggering, it feels like the pivotal moment then in the season for Newcastle. There were a few. I mean, obviously, as we heard in that montage before, beforehand, Newcastle were 12 points clear at one stage. And, you know, they were then behind by this time,

you know, by the time this game comes around. And so, you know, you also look back on things with hindsight. I mean, the one game that stands out for me was the Manchester United game at home.

I mean, I know this is a slight digression. I'm sure Steve would say the same thing as me. Like, I don't know if I've ever seen Newcastle play better than they did that, that night. They were absolutely phenomenal.

They played Man United at home. the following season and won 5-0, but I think this was a better performance. They lost 1-0 though. Peter Schmeichael put in one of the great, great, great goalkeeping performances of any time, let alone the Premier League. And, you know, Cantonar scored the winning goal. And so I think kind of from that point, you were feeling that perhaps things were slipping out of Newcastle's hand a little bit.

But, you know, they went into that Liverpool game and, you know, were able to play the way they did. I mean, they were an astonishing football team. But, I mean, by the end, I mean, I think it was, I think it was pretty much game over at that point. Steve, what was it like to play in that team? So, George, as named them there, we've named

them there already in this show as the great entertainers. You're playing at the back in this team, but playing under Kevin Keegan and a head of you, you know, Beardsley and Asprea and Jinnelah and Ferdin. What was the experience like playing in that team? It was a, it was

an honour, first and foremost, but because there was times when, you know, we were on the attack and, you know, I'm stood next to, I was going to say stood next to Philippe Albert, but that's a lie because Philippe Albert would be amongst the forwards. But sometimes we'll be standing next to Peasy, Darren Peacock, and I couldn't mention anything to jump Beres for a Warren Barton or not Steve Watson, because they had gone as well. I was kind of like, you're looking at it and looking at the surroundings and kind of thinking, I'm actually getting paid to be here when I'm watching these players just put on a ridiculous performance.

I mean, it's funny because I've just been working for the BBC before I came on this, and everybody was sort of seeing, you know, what a game up was and look who's playing for Newcastle when you look at Aspreya, David, Peter, Les. And then I went, yeah, but look at Liverpool's team. Yeah. Look at Liverpool's team at that particular time all around.

But even just the forward. line when you've got Fowler, Collimore, Barnes, Rush, McManerman. I mean, that is scary in itself. But I mean, I'm one of these anyway when I just think I look back at that time and I just think the players were better, the games were better. And I think if you just look at that pitch, for instance, the pitch was absolutely awful. But the quality of football getting played on that night was untouchable.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. And Jason, I mean, we'll talk about your Liverpool team in a second, but just coming up against this Newcastle team, did that make it, I mean, not only a massive challenge because they were so good, but I mean, they must have been good fun to play against two. Yeah, I was just listening to what the lads were saying there and, you know, the emotional impact. And George made a really good point. You know, we just beaten Villar and the FAA Cup semi at Old Trafford. And then obviously we've got Newcastle who were being tipped to win the league.

two very emotional and physically draining games. We actually lost against Coventry on the Saturday after we played on the Wednesday against Newcastle. Dionne Dublin scored two headers from two corners. It was just sort of one step a little bit too far. And I kind of like, although I look back and think, what a game and we were on the winning side, it may have cost us the title in a funny way

because we just kind of run out of energy and an emotional rollercoaster, as it were, from the week that we just previously had. So, yeah, I know what the lads are saying. Yeah, it was just an amazing game to play, to be honest. It had a flavour of Liverpool, you know, in the Newcastle team, as much as Steve was saying about the players there, Beardsley, obviously, had been at Liverpool before.

But if you look at the great entertaining teams of Liverpool of sort of the late 80s, you know, the game was played in that kind of style. And I think Kevin had a big influence on that, obviously, ex-Liverpool, And obviously Roy Evans had come through as well from being a kitman at Liverpool and come right through and managed. But he was very much in the flavour of attacking football and it was just one of them games that played out that way. Can I just ask a very quick question? Do footballers get lost in a game like that? I mean, you know, if you think about boxing, for example, you can have a game plan,

but sometimes it just degenerates into like a slug fest or whatever. Did that happen in that sort of game where tactics and everything, just go out of the window. It kind of takes a life of its own. Steve, I don't know if you agree with me. It was like from the first whistle. Listen, I was saying yesterday to the researcher, it's kind of the closest thing for me,

being a Liverpool fan and witnessed some of the great European nights at Amfield. Although it was a league game, it actually felt like a European game. The noise, it was under the lights, the floodlight. And footballers will tell you, they love playing on a Wednesday night, sort of coming into summer, end of the season,

under the floodlights, it's brilliant. It's absolutely brilliant. You get you sleep in the afternoon, and there's loads of energy. And, you know, it was, it was just a game that took a life of its own. And I'm sure the manager was trying to, or both managers were trying to get tactics on at the time,

and no one was listening because you didn't have a chance to listen. It was just a hundred mile an hour. It was brilliant. Okay, well, let's just set it up. So, as I said, Manchester United, at top of the table on 67 points going into this game, they've played 32. Newcastle have two games in hand.

they're on 64. They're on a run, though, of having taken just four points from the last five games. And Jason's Liverpool have played a game more than Newcastle and a five points behind them. So they know a win obviously gets them to within two points of Newcastle, then those two will have played the same game. I mean, Ian, I said, you know, you were in the stadium there as a fan. And Steve is talking about, you know, how great football was back then,

you know, the feel of it and how it was played and the players that were on show. Is that your memory of it? And the atmosphere and the pitch as well, actually, the lads are talking about there. I mean, yeah, you look back at the pitch and you can't believe the playing on that. I mean, it's a kind of borderline disgrace of a pitch,

to be honest. But, you know, what the lad served up on the night was absolutely, and it was take your breath away football. It really was. I mentioned before, you know, you are almost immediately into the goals. I mean, there's three within the first kind of 15 minutes, which, you know, you can't. quite believe it's got off to that kind of pace.

Even though you know you are watching two of the best teams in the country, yes, Manchester United are the top. I think it often gets to reference that Newcastle where maybe people's second favourite team to watch that season, they were getting labelled, the great entertainers, but as the boys have mentioned, in terms of what Liverpool line

up with that night, it's a really talented group. It's a team that's capable of taking out anyone on any given night. You know, they played Manchester United three times. That season, obviously the FA Cubs to come, but they played them away at Old Trafford. They get a two-two when they count on our comeback game,

but arguably they are the better team and they beat them comfortably around the Christmas time, 2-0. Fowler scores four across both games. But saying that, you know, we had the ability to go on runs where you draw a lot of games. They draw 11 that season in the league. They go through a November period

where they don't win any. They win one. I think they draw one league game out of four. You know, they lose to Newcastle, up at St. James', Steve Watson, a bit of a nemesis that season, scores in the League Cup fourth round round, round field as well. So you're going in with high expectations

because you feel like you might just have a chance of being in a title race should you get over the line in this one. But as Jason alluded to as well, you know, there is a game against Covency, which actually takes place at Highfield Road that game. But yeah, Liverpool just come up short. But it was a hell of a campaign,

it was a hell of a season. And you do feel like Newcastle have got one hand on the trophy because, as the boys have said, the 12 points cleared at one point. Okay, you've mentioned the lightning far start to the game. We've got the radio commentary as heard on Five Live of the game that night. So let's do that. The match is off to an absolute flyer.

Commentary here from Mike Ingram and David Pleat. In comes across from Colliemore. Fowler's seconds to score in the game. And Fowler's instincts, take him into that perfect position to nod inside the six-yard box. Ferdinand, away from right and in the back of the net, what a response from Les. Ferdinand, anything you can do, he says to Robbie Fowler, so can I. Ferdinand's very strong in that position.

On the half turn, all his power, and Ferdinand was there just quicker than the Liverpool defender. Ginole's going forward, McIreis struggling, and Junilus scores. What a response from Newcastle. And Newcastle, one down after 100 seconds. Now lead here at Anfield by two goals to one. For all, Ginole's extravagant and wonderful dribbling skills. He may not score enough goals, but he's... took that in marva style.

Jason, I can see you've got a slight smile on your face their former Liverpool player, Jason McAteer, because your job that night was to look after Ginala, wasn't it? Yeah, yeah, it was, yeah. Yeah, if I remember rightly, the thing with David, I don't know if Steve's going to back me up here, David, in the greatest and the nicest possible way, we used to call him a cheat.

And the reason we used to call him a cheat. The best, John Burrisford used to call him, something a lot worse, believe me. And what I mean by that is, like, he loved it when he got the ball and he wanted to be in an attacking area, but he didn't like going the other way. And I used to think playing wingback, that it was always a bit of a cat and mouse. It was kind of a bit of, I'm going to play the other side of your meaning the attacking side. And I'm going to see if you want to come with me.

Now, it's kind of, that's where the cat and mouse comes in. Are you going to track me or am I going to sort of be on the edge of, but I had the security of Mark Wright being. behind me. So I had the license really to play the other side of him. I remember you having great joy on that, on that night, Jason. Yeah, because

going into sort of what I was going to finish with the answer was, obviously I got caught out a little bit, but Ritey I felt was too far across and it's funny you hear in the comments from Jason McIntyre's struggling, but I don't righty should have been further across to be on it and a bit closer and we still talk about it

today and we have a laugh about it. But the thing about David playing so high up and not wanting to track. Me and Steve McMahon quickly got on to that. And we used to have this relationship, me and Maca, because Mac had a bit of a free role. And if the winger was not going to track back, we could always get a two-on-one.

And poor old John Beresford, we absolutely tormented him on that night. I wouldn't be surprised if you still having nightmares about it, to be honest. We absolutely doubled up on him and caught him out a couple of times. So Steve, Steve, Harry, you're playing him at Newcastle defence.

that night. Great response from Newcastle. I mean, I know that team will have always had that belief, but you go one-nill down after two minutes Robbie Fowler scores at Amfield, and then within 12 minutes of that, you are two-one up. In terms of sort of, I mean, can you remember what the pre-match chat was from Kevin Keegan in the dressing room before the game? And were you thinking, right game plan,

go on, let's just crack on and go end to end here? It was pretty much the same as always as it was from Kevin, which was you've got an awful lot of fan that's come to watch you play. They've spent an awful lot of money to come and watch you play. Now go out and entertain them. Send them home happy. Send them home,

knowing that they've watched the game and they've been entertained. So I think that was kind of the philosophy of Kevin from day one. You know, if we conceded a goal, it wasn't really an issue. Because we had such firepower, Kevin had complete belief that the boys would get one. So that was always the ethos of us, which was, you know, 1-0 down. Yeah, fair enough.

Even though it was, after two minutes, I think Robbie had scored, it wasn't an issue. We just knew that over time. We would be able to get a goal at least back. So, yeah, I think when it comes to them games, ultimately in the end, and I think this was what kind of was our undoing,

when it gets to like 3-3, you'd have thought most teams would be like, right, let's take a breather, let's just sit, and let's just try and, you know, take the point, you know, shake everybody's heart, and get on the bus and go home. But that wasn't us.

You know, you're going for the killer goal. I mean, even I think Liverpool's third goal, this is kind of Teno in a kind of nutshot, really. He scores a fantastic goal with three to up. The ball goes up to him and he tries a trick and it doesn't come off and we lose the ball. And from that, Jason gets the ball and he puts one of them balls in,

which is basically a defender's nightmare. Yeah. You can see me kind of straining every sinew in my body to try and stop that cross, but not wanting to touch the cross, because if I touch it, it's going in. We'll get to that goal in a bit. I mean, George, Jason and Stephen both mentioned John Beresford here.

Brilliant quote. I mean, so many good quotes around this match that I've been reading ahead of this show tonight. One of them from John is, I looked at our forward line, Peter Beersley, Tino Asprea, Les Ferdin and David Ginola, and thought, well, we ain't coming for a point, are we? People talk about parking the bus.

Well, we did that, but ours was an open-top bus, and everybody was welcome. I mean, that team, and I mean this only with love and respect, ruined football for me. I mean it ruined football for me. And I don't mean what happened in this march and I don't mean what happened in that season.

I mean because they were so good because of the way they played. They are, you know, Kevin's team, Steve's team. That's like my touchstone for football. That's how I feel football can be played, should be played. You know, that's how Newcastle can play. Therefore, they should play like that. And so the rest of my life has been a massive disappointment. I mean, in footballing terms, I mean, and in other terms.

But, you know, and it's, they were astonishing. And, you know, I've got Steve's a good friend of mine. And, you know, I'm very defensive about that defense and about that team. You know, they kind of got stick after games, after games like this. And there were games like this. But they were phenomenal players that played in that defense. It's just they didn't, they weren't a defensive team. I think Newcastle conceded two goals more than Manchester United that season.

And I think they only conceded eight or something at home. I mean, they were a really, really good team. It's because of the style of play. And, you know, once Aspreya comes to Newcastle, the problem there, I mean, I will defend him as well to my last breath. But, you know, Kevin's thought process at that point was, how do I cram all this attacking talent into the same team as opposed to, okay, we've been doing well with two wingers,

you know, a centre forward in Les Fernand, Peter Beersley behind, and, you know, it was like, how can we get even more adventurous, not, you know, not doing that thing that Steve talked about and tightening up and looking to close games out. Ian Ryan is with us as well from the Anfield rap,

and Ian was on the cop that night as a Liverpool fan. So, Ian, those goals go in, in the first 15 minutes, Liverpool get the early one, and then Newcastle get themselves in front and it stays that way until half time. What, you know, were you thinking

do you know what, this is anyone's game tonight? I mean, what was it? Because when you watch the highlights, obviously when you watch highlights, it's end to end because you are seeing the highlights of the game. But was the whole thing like that, Ian, do you remember? Yeah, I think there was a sense that it could go either way.

But I think, you know, looking back at some of the start, you know, Liverpool have a lot more shots. They dominate the ball on the night. as well. So you felt like there was always a chance that he'd get back into it and listen,

the foul own equaliser comes on the 55th minute. Liverpool were knocking on the door. But you just knew because of the array of talent on display that, you know, teams were capable of taking games

away from each other with that kind of, you know, with that kind of tacking talents on the pitch. You know, the lads have reeled off some of the names,

but it was an absolute joy to watch Liverpool go forward at times. And they were getting a little bit of stick for maybe what was going on. other way. But, you know, the defensive records of the other two teams was mentioned, but Liverpool ended up conceding

34 goals that season. It's only Arsenal with 32 who concede less. So despite maybe the reputation, you know, they weren't shipping loads and loads of goals, but there could be nights and occasions where you felt maybe there's one or two floors there. But going forward, obviously they'd invested a lot of money in Colliemore in the summer.

He'd come in for 8.5 million, just surpassing the Andy Cole deal to Manchester United. He gets off to a flyer on his debut. Him and Fowler, it's 55 goals between the two of them across the season and Mac Manaman's pulling strings as well. So you always felt on any given night

against any opposition, as I mentioned before. Liverpool were always in with a shout when they had that kind of, you know, lethal kind of combinations of the top end of the pitch and so approved. Yeah, we're going to hear the second off. Yeah, go on, Jason. You talk about the foul a goal and the game and what people's expectations were.

That goal, for me, epitomise the game. It went from David James to me to Macca to Rob. in under probably 15 seconds. So Jason, you're talking there about the equaliser to make it 2-2, aren't you? Yeah. So we're going to hear that in a second. But what I was just going to say to you there, Jason,

was it sums Robbie Fowler up, and we're going to talk about Stan Colliemore in the partnership in a bit as well. But the two goals, I mean, he could score so many different goals, couldn't he? But that left foot finish, as the ball's coming across him from the right, so he's a left footer, which makes that slightly harder,

doesn't it? And he just absolutely drills that, doesn't he? I mean, that is not going anywhere else, but the back of the net. He was an unbelievable finisher, wasn't he, Fowler? I thought, you know, because I've gone from Bolton and then just signed for Liverpool. And obviously, I'd played with the likes of Nile Quinn and John Aldridge with the Republic. I'd been to the World Cup. And then obviously, you know, I thought John McGinley was a top striker at Bolton and Andy Walker.

I'd played with him, a really good striker. and then I got to Liverpool and I just remember thinking oh my God, like how good is Robbie foul? It was ridiculous training. You know, people like Robbie get labelled like a natural striker

but he would stay out longer than anybody just practicing left foot, right foot, head as, you know, we'd always want to do extra shooting and stuff. He really honed in on his skills and stuff yet he was naturally gifted and he did have every sort of sort of goal in his locker

whether it was a side foot, whether he could drier, it, whether he could, you know, just bend it, or he could just get him, he knew where to go. He learned off Rushy, which was obviously a, you know, a great example to work off. But I never realized how good he was. And one of the, you know, the questions I get is how, who's the best player you've ever played with? It would be Robbie Fowler.

Really? Yeah. Right. Ridiculously talented. Okay. But the other thing about him as well is, and I don't know whether Steve felt like this with Janola and Asprier and the likes in the dressing room. But when you're getting ready to go out to play,

when you're looking at like him and Maca, you always feel you're going to win the game. Because these players can do something just out of nothing. They're match winners. They're just so gifted. It just feels you with confidence. And Robbie just delivered. I mean, he went 30, 30, 30 plus, didn't he,

for three seasons on the spin? He was just phenomenal. Steve, do you remember on the night what it was like trying to look after those two as a partnership and how they played together, Collie Moore and Fowler. I mean, it's difficult because you've got, I mean, absolutely top quality players.

I mean, I just want to kind of reiterate and prove the point, really, what Jason's saying about Robbie Fowder is the fact that, I mean, I played with Shira for a lot of years. I mean, the best player I ever played with was Peter Beasley. But as far as finishers concerned, Shearer was ridiculously good. But I haven't played against Robbie

and being with him in the England camps, I was blown away by his talent in front of goal. I mean, incredible how he could just finish the ball in the corners with ease. And the timing of he strikes as well was just like he hasn't even had any pullback in it, but it's just sweet as a nut. But when you are playing against strikers of that,

you know, you know for a fact there's possibly going to be chances because of the array of quality players as well that's around them. I mean, they can create a chance themselves but when you look at what's around in the team, not only the forwards that I've mentioned earlier on the show, but when you've got the wing backs like Jace was saying about himself, and I think it was Rob Jones, you know, bombing forward

and the other midfield players, you knew there was going to be a chance fashion from somewhere, and nine times out of ten, when it comes to players of that, it ends up in the back of the net. And you can be the best defender in the world, or you could be your switched on. but they don't need to beat you they just need a, like,

basically an inch. My name's Steve Bracknell, a sister manager at Royal Oak FC. Now, one bit of news, an administration news. It's Jono here from BBC Sounds. I can't confirm Royal Oak versus Nag's Head will be streamed live.

The Nag's Head, live on BBC, StreamTick Games Gone, podcast YouTube channel. I told you to trust the process, then April 5th, Easter Sunday, off at 2pm. This is your moment.

Tune in to the biggest game in Sunday League is today. Games got the Steve Bracknell podcast. Listen on BBC Sounds. This is the Football Daily podcast with Alistair Bruce Ball. So we're reminiscing the company of Jason McAteer. Steve Howie, George Colkin is here. Ian Ryan from the Anfield rap as well.

Let's take you back to Amfield right now and relive it. 10 minutes into the second half, three goals. We've just been discussing a couple of them. We've scored within 12 minutes of each other. Commentary again here from Mike Ingham and David Pleat. But it's all Liverpool, McMahon inside the area, drags it back for Fowler, and it's two-dows. And anticipate that ball superbly well.

An unerring shot, never broke pace, left foot, his favourite, like an arrow. Through to Asprea, goalkeepers out, and Aspreas beating in, and Newcastle are back in front again. Incredible scenes at Anfield. played it so cleverly and deftly. It really is a wonderful goal, a wonderful game.

In comes across. Colliemore good water contest. There's a superb ball by Macatier. Wonderful ball. Just bisected, the last line and the goalkeeper. And Colliemore was sneaking in. Okay, so we'll get onto that stand. Colliemore goal in a second that makes it 3-3. But George, you touched on this with Tino Espria.

We've done Robbie Fowler's two goals, and what a brilliant finisher he was. One of the common things, most common things you ever hear about that Newcastle team as well, Tino Aspreo Aspreo arrived as good as he was. It disrupted the dressing room and that's kind of why

they didn't get it over the line. I've got a feeling you don't agree with that. I don't agree with that. I mean, I think it possibly affected the balance of the team. But I think that's a different thing. You know, it's one of the oldest cliches in the book, isn't it, that you strengthen

from a position of strength. They signed Aspreya. They signed Aspreo halfway through the season. They signed David Batty. I mean, I can't remember, I remember the, being almost consternation with David Batty arriving because it's like Newcastle United

Kevin Kagan's Newcastle United buying a holding midfielder and there was like this that can't be right but I you know I think if you look at I mean that finish by the way from Asperia in that game it's with the outside of his foot I mean it is absolutely sensational and I think he scored though I think he scored like

three times I think there were you know this is pre-assists in terms of like those official recordings of it but I think there was like seven he made seven goals in that time it was a phenomenal football who made a big impact. I don't know whether Steve would agree with my sort of assessment. I think it was more that the balance of the team was affected

than him in the dressing room because he was absolutely adored. Staino was brilliant in the dressing room. Lads absolutely loved him. I just think it was a couple of changes that the manager had made. I think George had pointed that before Teno would come on a couple of times it substitute and change the game or done something which was outstanding. Teno was a frustrating

player. You know, he could do something which you'd go, wow, and then other times it was though he had like kind of, you know, Addie Das trampolines on. He just nothing would stick. It was bouncing off them all of time. And you're like, you know, get a hold of it, Teno. And as I said, the incidence

was, you know, when he scored that goal and then afterwards he tries to trick and run over it and tries to do, I think, near Ruddick. it hits Reiser and then the break and score the goal. But I just think at that particular time, Kevin was trying to fit Tino in, which meant where do I put Peter Beadsley?

Right, I'll probably move Peter Beazley out to the right, which was Keith Gillespie. Keith Gillespie was having an excellent season. And also the other one was Lee Clark had been having a great season, and he wanted to put bats in there. So certainly not the player's point of view. It was just probably the most, the manager trying to manipulate players into position.

So it kind of affected sort of, well, it did affect the balance quite a bit. But Steve, you make the point there, you know, crucial moments. So three two up and Aspreer has scored and then he loses the ball. As you say, trying something a bit clever, a little flick just inside the Liverpool half. And womb, Liverpool are just on Newcastle and get it back to 3-3. I mean, would Kevin Kagan criticise? one of his attacking players for doing that at that point in the game? I think the weird thing is it's one of these when, you know,

as players, we're probably shouting to Teno, you know, get a hold of it. I mean, obviously not in a polite way, it has to be said. But a lot of times some of the stuff he did was just so off the cuff and some of it would really work and it would be brilliant. Some of it wouldn't. As I said, it was just frustrating. But that was Tino. You had to have.

know, it's give and take, you know, what he does, and sometimes what he doesn't do, and what frustrates you? But that was just, that was his, that was him. That's why we love Tino. And to be fair, Teno just didn't care, so he was just going to do his own thing anyway. But, no, I think it will be vastly unfair to blame Teno or blame Bats or anybody. It was just, you know, a team that I was massively kind of privileged and proud to be part of.

And unfortunately, you just, It just wasn't how we year that year. And Jason, Liverpool, obviously, then get the ball from that, and it comes out to you. And as David Pleat says there, that's one of those classic balls you put in there, retreating defense, goalkeeper, not quite sure. You've put it right in that corridor, haven't you?

And just hoping that someone's going to get on the end of that. Yeah, I think we've just been on the attack and lost it. And like Steve alluded to, they win back possession. And then it goes to Tino and he tries a trick. obviously it doesn't come off. But because we were on the attack, I was so high up the pitch, and it was kind of fizzed out to me really quick.

And I was kind of one-on-one with Beddisfed. And I don't know what made me do it, but sometimes you just see this gap, and it's wide open between the keeper and the back four. And it's just about getting the right purchase and the right bend on it. And, you know, I was lucky enough to put this lovely ball. I mean, Andy Gray, I think you've commonly called it,

a horrible ball, which we still laugh. about now. I agree. And it is. I mean, Steve spoke about it before. If you've got the defenders running back towards the goal, it's so hard to get something on it

because you don't know where it's going to go and you're looking for your keeper to come out, but everything's on top. And it just turned out to be one of them moments, which was, you know, it was a sweet and special moment for me. And then obviously Stan puts it in the back of the net. And that's where the phrase,

the buffet ball was born, I think. Help yourself, Stan. So, Ian, we're going to come on to, Stan's sort of crowning moment in this game because we've still got the winning goal to come. Do you think this was his finest night, one of his finest nights in a Liverpool shirt, Stan Column? He sets the first goal up right at the start of the game as well,

doesn't he? He was the one who stood that cross-up to the back post that Fowler heads in. Yeah, it's a brilliant ball. As has been mentioned, it was obviously very, very early in the game. But Robbie was great in the air. You know, everything Jason said before, I couldn't agree with more, you know, absolutely echo all of that. Fowler was just an unbelievable finish

and for four years he was an absolute genius before before the kind of injuries took hold a little bit but Stan in terms of yeah I think Liverpool fans would absolutely remember him for that night there's a game on New Year's Day against Notts Forest, Nottingham Forest which finishes four two and he's brilliant

that day as well obviously comes from from Forest and Liverpool come behind on that day and Colliemore's at the heart of it he's absolutely brilliant but the game against Newcastle I mean I think yeah if Liverpool fans are looking back on his career, it's absolutely that game because he was always capable of that. And I say maybe the following season, it doesn't go quite as well.

And there's, you know, there's rumours obviously of maybe him being a little bit homesick. But that combination with Robbie, and I think Stan's actually said, you know, the best player he played with was Fowler as well. And I think you hear that a lot from Robbie's peers, you know, even the Manchester United lads you've heard. I think Sherr has mentioned it in training and in games. He was absolutely lethal. But from anywhere, it wasn't just in the six-yard box or the 12-yard box.

or 18-yard box, I should say, outside the box, Robbie could score. He was great in the air as well, which is proven with the first goal. And he scores ahead in the game the following year as we're held to make it four, three, and all the header. So he always had that in them,

but them too as a partnership, they were so hard to play against them, as I say, Newcastle weren't the only team that season who struggled. Yeah, so we've got just over 20 minutes to play at that point. And if I can, Stephen Jason, try, you know, if you can rewind it 30 years and remember sort of standing on the pitch at that time.

I mean, people must have been absolutely gassed. But was there any, for both of you, really, I mean, Steve, first, any fear of failure or, oh, crike, we've been pegged back to 3-3, what do we do now? Or was it right? We just, you know, like two heavyweight boxing. We just keep slugging this out. Yeah, I think it is that.

I think it is just, you know, all right, there's whatever time's left, 20 minutes, let's keep on going. It's basically like two boxes standing there, one punch. Then, okay, then I've took that, I'll throw a punch. Then we'll throw a punch again. And it's just kind of both teams staggering a little bit, coming back and then throwing another punch. So it was going to be, basically it was like, right,

last man standing type thing, last team standing. So that's what it was ultimately to the very end. Yeah, I think the game deserved the winner. And it could have come from either team, to be honest. it was Steve, he's just setting up perfectly there. It was like two heavy weights throwing haymakers and just taking them and it was whoever was going to be left standing at the final whistle and fortunately it was for us

you know and rush it come on and I think Steve plays a big moment in the game as well I think you come off mate didn't you? I did yeah, second minute or something had you stayed on I mean you know it might have been different you know defender stays on Steve stays on he might have been in the right place

but it goes into Rush Barnes Rushburn's done it. And then Macca's wide open. I'm actually shouting, give it Macca, give it Macca. And seeing wide open, his hands are open. And next thing, it goes left. And it goes to stand.

I actually didn't see Stan because I was on the angle. And then it's such an acute angle. It goes in the near post, don't it? Yeah. It doesn't actually go across, Pavel. But it goes in. And then this rush of adrenaline just come over me. I can't speak for the other lads.

But it was like, I don't know where I found the energy from, but I ran straight across the pitch. And I just remember thinking, we must have the day off tomorrow. Well, look, Steve and George have got a block their ears now for 40 seconds or so. It's 3-3, Adamfield. 30 years ago in the 90th minute, Stan Colliemore pops up with that historic late winner. Take it away, Alan Green.

Barnes, Rush once more, poaching the penalty. Barnes, rush, rush into the box. They're running into each other. Bonds is there. Tees it up for Colliemore. Colliemore. Good. Stan Colliemore

and Liverpool don't care what he calls Liverpool is still in this championship race Liverpool for Newcastle 3 And Jason's just wondering whether he was going to get a day off the following day

Ian you were in the cop I mean what you know Just can you can you remember it Oh it was absolutely wild I mean looking back at the city I mean even hearing the commentary there It's and shivers because it was one of those moments where you just kind of

You know you're clamouring over people you go and kind of four or five rows further forward than you should be. It was just limbs and bodies everywhere. But, you know, watching it back and the scenes and obviously the iconic moment where Kevin Keegan straped over the hoardings and stuff. I think that's why people just remember it

as one of the all-time graces. Now, the context of kind of three teams, really, trying to win a league title. And I know Liverpool were always on the cusp and never maybe felt as in it as the other two. But that night, you better believe it, Liverpool thought you were in something. They thought you were absolutely in something.

All of a sudden, that point's difference has gone from 8 to 5. Yes, Newcastle got the game in hand. But you did feel like, wow, that could be a huge moment. And it doesn't turn out that way, but you're living and breathing it at that time. And my God, it felt absolutely sensational. In terms of moments you had as a Liverpool player at infield, Jason,

that explosion, that moment, is there anything to match that? We spoke about it before. The two goals Robbie scored against United. I think just because the enormity of the fixture, and it was my first one. And then, you know, when Robbie scores the free kick, he bends it over the wall, Donnie Schmichael, just stands still. I mean, there was an eruption then.

But I don't think I've ever felt anything. I mean, there's been moments in my career that I've kind of maybe matched it. But I just think, I just think at Amfield for me, no, that moment was just absolutely sensational. Yeah, it was kind of, I can't tell you what the energy was like coming on to, like that actually come onto the pitch. It was like this, this rush of, and I know we struggle when we finish playing.

I think these are the reasons why, because we get filled with so much adrenaline and so much energy and feeling and emotion. It's hard to replicate when you finish. There's just nothing like it. And it was, it was just sensational, yeah. And George, Ian has referenced that. So if you were watching the game on television,

the image of Kevin Kegan with the head down and the arms draped over the advertising hoarding in front of him. And if we continue with that sort of boxing analogy, it's a little bit like the knockout blow, isn't it? That one. All the wind has gone out of the cells. Either team could have won that and then that happens. Yeah, and it was, you know, that is an iconic image.

And there were many of them, whether, you know, whether spoken or kind of in picture form. And Kevin was often at the forefront of that. He was a very kind of emotional man and leading this emotional football club and emotional city. Of course, there was, you know, the famous words he said after the Leeds game. And he was kind of, you know, he represented everybody. I mean, it was the same in the pub. I mean, it was like, you know, there was that absolute feeling of adrenaline

of watching your team fight for something meaningful, which, you know, in my lifetime with Newcastle hadn't happened. And, you know, it happened a few times afterwards, and Newcastle got close, but, you know, it was never kind of quite there. And then it went to silence. And, you know, it's very difficult to pick yourself back up from that sort of emotional expenditure of energy, I suppose. and yeah, I mean, that's why it's so difficult to, you know, to think about it really and watch it again and listen back to it.

But like I said, I mean, I'm so sort of, I mean, it's so weird. You know, I think one of the, one of the cliches is like no one remembers who comes second or, you know, second is nothing or whatever. And it's like, we're still talking about that Newcastle team 30 years on because the way they played had not been seen before and it's not been seen since. and that's why this game this game kind of represented that team in some ways but we talk about that team in this match because those players in that team were so special

and Steve you must be immensely proud of having played in that team yeah I mean the thing is about the whole thing and I'm so just to say the same thing not only were the fantastic players but more importantly they were brilliant people just to sort of be working with people like that every day, you know, having a laugh and training hard,

but it's just such a good camaraderie, such a good atmosphere and friendships that last a lifetime. I mean, every single time, I mean, I might not see David or Philippe or Pizzi or, you know, one or two of the other players, some I'll say quite regularly, but it's as though you've never been away because you give each other a big hug.

And then the conversation and the kind of chat that you have, it's as though like you've been with each other all the time. And it's a weird sort of closeness that you have. And as I said, if there's one thing players do miss, it's that kind of togetherness, camaraderie, and being around each other. But it was also like a very fresh thing, wasn't it? It was a very new thing for Newcastle still.

And, you know, the earlier part of that Newcastle story, Newcastle coming back to the club, saving the team from relegation to the third tier, then immediately going up as champions playing this like ridiculous football. finishing third in the Premier League, then finishing six, then going into this season. There was a sort of beautiful, I don't want to say naivety about the team, although you could make that argument,

but there was like an innocence about the whole thing, like playing that way. And in a city which was just absolutely at boiling point, you know, players out socialising with fans, everybody in it together. It was a kind of very, very sort of fresh story at the time as well. Just looking again at some of the quotes I've read in, you know, in the build-up to this show tonight,

one from Robbie Fowler as well, who says there was an old man in the Newcastle end who looked close to tears at the final whistle. I couldn't help but feel so sorry for him. It genuinely could have gone either way. It's great. We're still talking about it. It was unforgettable. I mean, you're in a title race there,

and you've just won a massive game. So was there any part of you thinking about what you've done to Newcastle there, or you're a professional athlete, that just doesn't come into it? No, we knew the enormity of the fixture and, you know, what the repercussions were going to be because effectively, as we lost the game,

we were probably out of the title race. But, you know, after the final whistle goes, you're so wrapped up in the euphoria of the win. There's nothing better than the last minute winner. And then, obviously, the dressing room, everyone's buzzing. And, you know, it's just a great place to be. You know, our dressing room as opposed to the Newcastle, one as Steve alluded to.

But, you know, the emotional expenditure, just from, you know, the semi-final of getting, or getting to the FAA Cup through the semi-final against Filler a few days before. and then you go and do that and, you know, the four three plays out. It's such an emotional rush, wasn't it? And then it was a really come back down to earth on Saturday against Coventry.

It kind of knocked the wind out of our sales, to be honest. And we just never recovered. We never recovered from it. So it was such a great week, but it kind of played its toll on us and probably cost us the title, to be honest. Yeah, so Liverpool lost one at Coventry on the Saturdays, as you said, Jason,

and then drop points in three of the last five games. and then obviously the FAA Cup final of the white suits and Eric Cantanar scores the winner in that one. Steve, in terms of Newcastle picking themselves up, Newcastle won four of the next five games, although there was a defeat to Blackburn in there. So actually the response to an absolute hammer blow that night was pretty impressive, but Manchester United,

obviously were absolutely flying, weren't they? Their run from January basically was incredible. Yeah, I mean, there were relentless. to be quite honest. I mean, obviously, George has just touched on it with Kevin,

obviously, with after the Leeds game, I think we beat them 1-0, Keith Gillespie. And obviously that goes down in Premier League history as well with what Kevin had said. But yeah,

I mean, it was just one of them ones where Man United just seemed to be winning 1-0, 1-0, 1-0. And Peter Schmeichael was just having the kind of ridiculous sort of games week in,

week out. It would be, you know, the team that we're playing against would either miss guilt ed's chances or as I said it was Pete's Michael making incredible saves

and then some of the games going into shall we see a Fergie time and then they will be getting late winners and all this kind of thing but it was the games were never played together so it was always

you know one of us was playing before the other type of thing so the pressure was always on but it was I can remember afterwards when I played with Peter at Manchester City and our very first meeting was in the dressing

room just sort of at training ground and I could see he was desperate to want to talk about that kind of thing and he got a swift go away so yeah I mean it was difficult I mean I know in the last game the season I think it was they had I think they might have had Middlesbrough

and you couldn't see them doing us any favours ultimately they didn't have to but I think United's run in the end was just incredible yeah How do you remember it then, George, from that point in? I was exactly that. I mean, they're, you know, Man United are the third party in this game, really, because they were just lurking.

I think it was like from mid-January on, they played 21 games in all competitions, they drew one, they lost one. The one they lost was the other, another famous game at Southampton where they changed their strips, grey strips at half time. And Steve is right. It did feel, it felt like it's 1-0 to Manu.

Schemichael's had a blind, and Cantanar scored the goal. And if you actually look back, that is pretty much what happened. I mean, I think they had something like 8-1-0s and Kantanau scored the only gold and six of them. And they were relentless. And so, you know, the second half of that season is portrayed. It's painted as Newcastle throwing it away.

And when you've had a 12-point lead, a big lead, it's kind of quite difficult to argue against that, except that Manchester United were absolutely relentless, robotic. and brilliant in the second half of that season, which never really gets talked about. Ian, as a Liverpool fan who was there that night and watch what that Liverpool team could do, do you actually think that Liverpool team could have won more,

should have won more? Yeah, I think there was always a feeling that there was enough talent in there. Now, listen, they were going up against all the great sides as well, that Manchester United team that obviously will get referenced because of all the titles. they won. There was so many good players there. So a lot got spoken about at the time. You know, how, listen, football was different back then.

Footballers were living the life, slightly different back there and going out and enjoying themselves. I think all teams are doing that. But I think ultimately, you know, it just comes down to maybe small margins and, you know, he's had some unbelievable players. But they also had a guy to figurehead who'd been there and done it. You know, the two managers in charge of these two teams,

Kevin Keegan and Roy Evans, they were relatively young managers at the time. You know, Keegan had took over in 92, Roy in 94. Ferguson had been there for 10 years. United. He'd won two Premier League's already. He'd had the success with Aberdeen, both domestically and in Europe. So

maybe when it gets to that real crunch point of the season to have someone in charge of the football club who just knows how to navigate the landscape and knows what to say, who to pick, who to rest. I think all that stuff comes into it. And there's no doubt, obviously, you know,

in terms of the mind games and the psychology, Ferguson was the master of that. But there was also one kind of sliding doors, maybe moment in that four, three, game. At 3-3, Les Ferdin Riggles 3, and he could have made it 4-3. Now, David James has a particularly poor knight, in fairness. Probably should do better with the first and third goal by his own admission.

But he makes a really, really good save at a really, really important moments. Now, if that goes in, maybe history changes, and it's a totally different outcome. Yeah. Last one and quick one, then, because the hour is almost up. You know, I build it at the start. It goes down as one of the greatest Premier League games ever. so we're going, you know, Premier League starts in 1992. Jason, can you think of a, I mean, you played in it as well,

so it's slightly different for you and Steve, but can you think of a better one than that? I am biased, and obviously I'm a Liverpool fan, and it worked out well for us, but I just can't think of one. I mean, there have been some classics, and over the years, of course, that have, but I just think what Steve touched on before, and I totally agree with him, it was when players had total autonomy on the pitch to be themselves

and to express themselves and to figure problems out for themselves. You know, we weren't always looking across to the bench for tactics or for reasons for help. It was, we figured it out. And we were allowed to express ourselves. If we made a mistake, it was right. We go again.

And we, you know, football was a joy to play back then. It has changed over the years. But I just think that all played into the fixture, the timing, the night, the floodlights, and the scoreline and the players delivered. It was, I don't think it'll be beaten. It was such a great game to play and, you know, it is a classic. George?

Yeah, I mean, I saw Newcastle come back from 4-0 down to Arsenal at half-time. That was pretty special. But, yeah, I mean, you know, I don't want to talk about this game. You know, that's enough. That's enough now. But if this is effectively the trophy for that team, then I'll, you know, I would accept it. And, you know, they deserve, that team deserve, and Liverpool, Liverpool, phenomenal. You know, that Newcastle team deserves recognition.

and it deserves flawed it. So yeah, I'll take that. Yeah. And Steve, I mean, in that team, you'd have been playing in Belters every week. I mean, is there any other games that particularly stand out to you? Not as much as that one. I think just Pugling simply as well,

as I touched on before, the state of the pitch, but the quality of football that was played. Yes, there's some very, very good players on show. But, wow, did they not give a performance for everybody to, to win joint. Yeah. Do you know what? We did it again

the year after as well. I know, four, three. Yeah, that's right. No VAR either. Imagine if VAR had been involved 30 years ago with, I mean, you know, I was actually,

I was actually not, not serious thing about that, but for example, you know, the Colliemore moment with VAR, you're still, as a fan, you're possibly waiting on you,

is that, you know, that, you know, that, that, the entire game would have I've lasted three hours.

It was an amazing night. I'm really, really grateful to you all for an hour of your time to discuss that. And like I say, if you're not aware of this game, you're only just learning about it now where your kids aren't aware of it. Go and find the clips or listen to this show again because it was an absolute epic. So Steve Howie, who played on the night for Newcastle, Jason McIterer, who played for Liverpool. Ian Ryan from the Amfield Rap and George Colkin from The Athletic. Thank you very much indeed.

And George, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's been good therapy. BBC sounds. I'm Tristan Redmond, one of the hosts of the global story podcast from the BBC. How would the US invade Iran? Different options are on the table, but the Pentagon has wargamed this for years. And our guest today was in the room for many of them. What are Donald Trump's remaining military options?

Listen to the global story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.