MAGPIES SHEAR DELIGHT
MATCHES between Newcastle and Leicester have a history of producing goals and drama.
There were seven goals when the sides met there in February 1997 – and three of them came in the last 13 minutes.
Newcastle were trying to stay in touch with Premier League leaders Manchester United after the shock departure of boss Kevin Keegan weeks earlier.
Leicester were making a nuisance of themselves under Martin O’Neill on their return to the top flight.
The Foxes had stunned Newcastle 2-0 at Filbert Street earlier that season through goals from journeyman Steve Claridge and Emile Heskey.
Newcastle had home-grown hero Alan Shearer, who had returned to the North East from Blackburn the previous summer for a world-record fee of £15million.
By the time Leicester came to St James’ Park, Shearer had netted 20 times, but it was Robbie Elliott who put Kenny Dalglish’s (right) side ahead after only three minutes when Leicester were unable to clear a cross from Keith Gillespie, who would go on to play for the Foxes.
Keeper Kasey Keller was twice at full stretch to prevent Rob Lee doubling Newcastle’s lead before Matt Elliott drew Leicester level 10 minutes after the restart.
Garry Parker’s cross picked out the Foxes centre-half at the far post and he steered his header past Shaka Hislop. St James’ Park was then stunned as Steve Claridge and Heskey struck in the space of eight minutes to put Leicester 3-1 up.
That was how it stayed until the 77th minute when Foxes midfielder Scott Taylor tripped David Ginola on the edge of the penalty area.
Keller had no chance of keeping out Shearer’s free-kick. It was recorded travelling at an astonishing 85.8mph.
St James’ Park roared Newcastle forward as they went looking for an equaliser and, with four minutes left, Shearer aimed a shot at Keller’s bottom right-hand corner – and Leicester’s keeper couldn’t reach it.
Newcastle weren’t finished and, with the match in injury time, Lee picked out Shearer to tap in the winner.