On this present day in 1996: The Premier League’s biggest ever sport?
Right now marks the anniversary of a contest usually dubbed the best sport in Premier League historical past.
There was no scarcity of traditional clashes because the Premier League’s formation in 1992 however Liverpool’s epic end-to-end sport in opposition to Newcastle in 1995/96 is commonly the primary that springs to thoughts.
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The April encounter noticed each groups nonetheless harbour hopes of successful the Premier League title. Newcastle United had been bidding to cease a decline, having been 10 factors clear within the title race earlier than a wobble by way of the spring.
With each groups in want of the factors to stay in rivalry with Manchester United, the sport began at breakneck pace. Robbie Fowler headed Liverpool in entrance after simply two minutes, arriving on the again submit to satisfy Stan Collymore’s deep cross.
Newcastle, nonetheless, fought again nearly immediately. Les Ferdinand levelled with a snap-shot on 10 minutes, earlier than David Ginola streaked away to place the Magpies forward simply 4 minutes later.
After half-time the 2 groups continued to commerce punches. Fowler’s second was drilled in, just for Faustino Asprilla to prod Newcastle again forward simply two minutes after Liverpool’s leveller.
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Collymore acquired Liverpool stage once more on 68 minutes, earlier than the ahead discovered a winner that’s etched into Premier League folklore. Within the second minute of stoppage time, Collymore slammed dwelling as Anfield erupted, with the imagery of Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan slumped on the promoting hoardings unforgettable.
“That is the most effective sport I’ve ever commentated on,” commentator Martin Tyler, whose ‘Collymore closing in!’ line grew to become iconic – recalled to FourFourTwo.
“It had every part that might appeal to you to soccer: drama and significance, as a result of each groups had been going for the title. Folks overlook that Liverpool had been, too.
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“It was a rollercoaster match – Liverpool scored after a few minutes, however didn’t lead once more till stoppage time when Stan Collymore closed in…
“On the night time I remarked, ‘This is without doubt one of the biggest video games ever,’ so it isn’t simply hindsight.”
A sport for the ages.
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