1996-97 Season - April
Summary
On the field two wins and two draws kept United well on track for a place in Europe.
There were a whole host of transfer rumours during the month with Dalglish linked with moves for Georgian international Temuri Ketsbaia, Frenchman Bruno N'Gotty, Ricky Gillies from St Mirren and young Dane Jon Dahl Thomasson
Barcelona were linked with a £20,000,000 move for the PFA's Player of the Year Shearer; a story refuted by Freddie Fletcher. David Ginola was believed to be set for a return to France and reports resurfaced that Les Ferdinand was on his way.
Meanwhile Tino, who was in scintillating form throughout the month - managed to got himself sent off in the Colombia verses Paraguay match for fighting.
Diary
| 1996/97 | 5th Apr | Prem | Sunderland [H] | Drew | 1-1 [0-1] | 36,582 |
- 15 - Hislop
- 19 - Watson
- 26 - Elliott
- 05 - Peacock
- 02 - Barton
- 04 - Batty
- 07 - Lee [s]
- 18 - Gillespie
- 10 - Ferdinand [s]
- 09 - Shearer [1]
- 14 - Ginola
- 20 - Clark [s7]
- 11 - Asprilla [s10]
Alan Shearer made a speedy return from his latest groin injury to lead the attack in the Tyne Wear derby against Peter Reid's struggling side. Les Ferdinand also returned from the treatment table.
The visitors included 36 year old Chrissy Waddle making his derby debut.
Al looked a bit rusty but still turned up with a face saving equaliser 13 minutes from time; cancelling out a first-half strike from Michael Gray.
Gray had put Sunderland ahead after he was allowed far too much room to cut in and strike. Sunderland defenders were similarly guilty when ball watching allowed an unmarked Shearer to fire home from a couple of yards.
| 1996/97 | 13th Apr | Prem | Sheff Wed [A] | Drew | 1-1 [1-0] | 33,798 |
- 15 - Hislop
- 19 - Watson
- 03 - Beresford
- 26 - Elliott [1]
- 05 - Peacock
- 02 - Barton
- 04 - Batty
- 07 - Lee
- 18 - Gillespie
- 10 - Ferdinand
- 09 - Shearer [1 s]
- 11 - Asprilla [s9]
United ground out another point at Hillsbrough
Robbie Elliot put United ahead in the first half after good work from Shearer.
Mark Pembridge volleyed home the equaliser at the start of the second period.
| 1996/97 | 16th Apr | Prem | Chelsea [H] | Won | 3-1 [3-0] | 36,320 |
- 15 - Hislop
- 19 - Watson
- 03 - Beresford
- 26 - Elliott
- 05 - Peacock
- 02 - Barton
- 04 - Batty
- 07 - Lee
- 09 - Shearer [2]
- 10 - Ferdinand [s]
- 11 - Asprilla [1 s]
- 18 - Gillespie [s11 s]
- 20 - Clark [s10]
- 14 - Ginola [s18]
Ruud Gullit's Chelsea arrived on Tyneside just after securing a place in the FA Cup Final and their thoughts definitely seemed elsewhere in a one sided first half.
A mistake from Lebouf allowed Shearer in to lob United ahead after only 11 minutes. And another faux pas from the Frenchman allowed Asprilla to double the advantage on the half hour.
When Shearer headed in a third after a superb run from Asprilla just before the break it was match over.
United took their foot off the pedal in the second half and after Craig Burley netted from close range on the hour it was a nervy Newcastle who held on for victory.
| 1996/97 | 19th Apr | Prem | Derby [H] | Won | 3-1 [] | 36,553 |
- 15 - Hislop
- 19 - Watson
- 03 - Beresford
- 26 - Elliott [1]
- 05 - Peacock
- 02 - Barton
- 04 - Batty
- 07 - Lee
- 09 - Shearer [1]
- 10 - Ferdinand [1]
- 11 - Asprilla [s]
- 18 - Gillespie [s11]
Derby shocked the home crowd when Dean Sturridge gave them the lead after only 32 seconds; from then on in it was all United
Robbie Elliot equalised direct from a corner [11th] and then after almost constant pressure Ferdinand dived in to head United infront [61st] . Shearer added a third after Hoult failed to get behind his long range strike.
The United crowd were chanting Dalglish's name at last; it seemed they had finally accepted him