Magpies milestone: United set for Premier League landmark

Newcastle 5-0 Manchester United (October 1996)

One of Newcastle United's greatest Premier League triumphs, the Magpies inflicted an unforgettable 5-0 thrashing against Sir Alex Ferguson's side, which contained the likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Peter Schmeichel to name but a few.

Darren Peacock's close-range finish sent the Magpies into an early lead against the Premier League champions before David Ginola's terrific bending strike from distance doubled Newcastle's lead before half-time.

After prolific forwards Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer added further gloss to the scoreline, on a day when Newcastle would have taken one goal, it was Belgian fan favourite Philippe Albert who sealed the win in style with an 'absolutely glorious' chip which sailed over the stranded Schmeichel.

Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal (February 2011)

A game that will live long in the memory of Newcastle supporters as, despite conceding four goals in the opening 26 minutes, the Magpies salvaged an unforgettable 4-4 draw at St. James' Park.

The hosts were left stunned as Theo Walcott opening the scoring after 44 seconds before Johan Djourou's header and Robin van Persie's strike put the Gunners three goals ahead after a mere ten minutes.

The Dutch forward then netted a close-range header to extend Arsenal's advantage at the break before Abou Diaby's red card for Arsène Wenger's visitors in the opening stages of the second-half proved a key turning point in the match.

In the final 22 minutes, Joey Barton's two converted penalties, either side of Leon Best's strike, set up a frantic finish before the home supporters erupted with joy as Cheick Tioté struck a sensational 20-yard volley, his first and only goal for the club, in the closing stages to earn a heroic point.

Newcastle 8-0 Sheffield Wednesday (September 1999)

Sir Bobby Robson marked his first home game in charge of his boyhood club in dream fashion with an 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday at St. James' Park - the Magpies' biggest ever Premier League win.

Aaron Hughes broke the deadlock with his first goal for the club before Alan Shearer struck a devastating 12 minute first-half hat-trick.

Second-half strikes from Kieron Dyer and the late, great Gary Speed extended the hosts' advantage before Shearer netted a late brace, then becoming only the second player in Premier League history to score five goals in one game.

It was a wonderful start to life on Tyneside for Sir Bobby as the Sacriston-born manager transformed United from relegation battlers into a Champions League outfit.

Newcastle 5-1 Sunderland (October 2010)

Kevin Nolan scored a hat-trick as Newcastle registered one of their greatest Tyne-Wear derby victories in a 5-1 hammering of local rivals Sunderland.

The Magpies terrorised their North east neighbours on Halloween, racing into a three-goal lead before the half-time break, as Nolan broke the deadlock with an overhead flick before tapping home his and United's second from Andy Carroll's effort.

Shola Ameobi dispatched a penalty in front of a delighted Gallowgate End on the stroke of half-time before Sunderland were reduced to ten men shortly after the restart as former Newcastle defender Titus Bramble received a red card for bringing down Carroll.

Ameobi then confidently volleyed home his second of the afternoon before Nolan completed his hat-trick with a close-range header, becoming the first Newcastle player since Peter Beardsley in 1985 to hit three against the Black Cats.

Newcastle 4-3 Leicester City (February 1997)

Newcastle United claimed a marvellous 4-3 victory after Alan Shearer's late hat-trick saw the Magpies come from 3-1 down with 14 minutes remaining to earn a remarkable victory.

Despite Robbie Elliott's third minute opener, Newcastle found themselves trailing by two goals following second-half strikes from Matthew Elliott, Steve Claridge and Emile Heskey.

However, Shearer - who had netted six times in his previous five league contests - continued his hot goalscoring form as the prolific striker netted twice in the space of six minutes before sending the St. James' crowd wild with a 90th minute winner to seal maximum points.

Newcastle 6-0 Aston Villa (August 2010)

Newcastle thrashed Aston Villa 6-0 in the Magpies' opening home game of the 2010/11 Premier League campaign as Andy Carroll's hat-trick and Kevin Nolan's brace helped secure a thrilling win at St. James' Park.

Chris Hughton's side had conceded a penalty before their opening goal but Norway international John Carew blazed his spot-kick over the crossbar with the contest on level terms.

Joey Barton broke the deadlock in wonderful fashion with a dipping strike from 20 yards before Nolan's headed rebound and Carroll's drilled close-range effort gave the hosts a comfortable advantage before half-time.

The Gateshead-born forward grabbed his second goal in front of the Gallowgate End with a clinical first-time finish after the restart and, after Nolan hooked the ball home to add further gloss to the scoreline, Carroll grabbed his first career hat-trick with a composed finish in stoppage-time to complete a fine afternoon.

Newcastle 4-3 Manchester City (October 2004)

Craig Bellamy's late strike sealed a dramatic 4-3 win over the Blues back in October 2004.

All seven goals were netted in the second-half as Laurent Robert's free-kick, along with Alan Shearer's penalty, gave United a brief lead before City quickly replied through Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robbie Fowler's spot-kick.

Robbie Elliott's header restored the Magpies' lead before City, managed by former Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan, pegged their opponents back once again with another goal from Wright-Phillips.

However, Newcastle refused to settle for a draw and, after good work by left-back Olivier Bernard, Bellamy cleverly juggled the ball before flicking a volley past goalkeeper David James in the 89th minute.

Newcastle 7-1 Tottenham Hotspur (December 1996)

Newcastle United ended the year in sensational fashion after equalling their then best Premier League victory with a 7-1 thrashing of Tottenham at St. James’ Park.

The Magpies were without a league win in seven matches but took the lead inside 20 minutes through Alan Shearer’s impressive half-volley before Les Ferdinand doubled the hosts’ advantage two minutes later with a stretched finish.

'Sir Les' then grabbed United’s third after getting on the end of John Beresford’s whipped cross before another goal two minutes later, courtesy of Rob Lee’s low drive, added further gloss to the scoreline.

Philippe Albert, who netted United’s fifth in a memorable 5-0 victory against Manchester United two months prior, got in on the act before Shearer and Lee both grabbed their braces in the closing stages.

Sunderland 1-4 Newcastle (April 2006)

Newcastle came from one down to seal an emphatic 4-1 win against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby in what proved to be Alan Shearer's last game for his boyhood club after a dazzling decade on Tyneside.

Justin Hoyte gave the relegated Black Cats a first-half lead at the Stadium of Light before three goals in six second-half minutes quickly turned the Tyne-Wear derby on its head.

After Michael Chopra equalised for the Magpies in his first involvement from the substitutes' bench, the visitors were awarded a penalty barely a minute later, with Shearer converting from the spot with his 206th and final goal for his hometown team before the striker was sadly forced to withdraw through injury.

Charles N'Zogbia's neat finish, after a darting run, doubled the visitors' lead before Spanish forward Albert Luque's neat finish wrapping up the win for Glenn Roeder's side. 

Leeds United 3-4 Newcastle (December 2001)

The Magpies fought back from two goals down to seal a late 4-3 win against the Whites, with Nolberto Solano netting a stoppage-time winner for Sir Bobby Robson’s side.

Following an impressive 3-1 away win at Arsenal, Craig Bellamy broke the deadlock for the visitors at Elland Road before future Magpies midfielder, Lee Bowyer, levelled 60 seconds later.

Mark Viduka, another player who would sign for Newcastle during his career, gave Leeds the lead before defender Ian Harte doubled the Peacocks’ advantage as they looked set to replace the Magpies at the summit of the Premiership.

However, after Robbie Elliott’s header halved the deficit towards the hour-mark, Alan Shearer netted his second successive league penalty after scoring against the Gunners at Highbury before Solano cooly slotted home the stoppage-time winner.

Any other Premier League classics we may have missed? Have your say by emailing [email protected] or on Twitter at @NUFC.