1996-97 Season - October

A sixth successive League victory returned United to the League summit. It was hard work with Derby's defence superbly marshalled by Paul McGrath and Shearer's winner came just fourteen minutes from time.

Keegan wasn't worried though: "I don't think people will call us 'The Entertainers' anymore, we're 'The Grinders' now".

Srniceck - who had been under fire for recent performances - would have been happy with a clean sheet especially as United were being linked with a move for Blackburn 'keeper Tim Flowers.

Asprilla had been expected back from international duty on the Thursday but turned up half an hour into the game. If Keegan was angry he kept his feelings to himself and neither party commented on reports that a "bored" Tino wanted to return to Italy.

United were left fuming after an injury time "equaliser" from Shearer was disallowed for offside causing Keegan to storm into the referee's room and tell him he'd got it wrong.

The Magpies had made a disastrous start; after only 7 minutes a misunderstanding between Srnicek and Beresford left the keeper stranded outside his area and Horvarth rolled the ball into an empty net. Within 10 minutes Lizstes doubled the disadvantage.

By half time United were right back in after Shearer brilliantly set up Ferdinand to head home [24] and Big Al equalised with a thumping half volley [34]. Lee very nearly gave United the lead a minute later but his shot hit the inside of the post.

In the second half The Magoies were distictly off key and a woefully under hit Beardsley backpass [56] allowed the Hungarians to regain the lead.

35,000 geordies along with a thousand or so Mancunians, Viv Richards, Ian Botham and the Sultan of Brunei and his 12 body guards witnessed a remarkable day on Tyneside as the real United "embarrassed" (in the words of Shearer) the Premiership champions.

The Newcastle players were determined to avenge their Charity Shield humiliation and they did so and then some. Keegan called it his most enjoyable day as a manager whilst Shearer was simply delighted to gain revenge on the "baiting" cockneys.

Peacock opened the scoring with a header [12] despite Irwin's attempts to keep it out. Man United's futile and incorrect complaints that the ball hadn't crossed the line simply made the moment sweeter. Ginola's second on the half hour was simply sensational and Shearer hit the woodwork 7 minutes later.

The first period had been relatively even but in the second it was virtually one way traffic as The Magpies toyed with the Red (in the face) Devils. Ferdinand headed in Shearer's cross [62] and then Al slammed in from close range [74] as Schmeichel desperately and fruitlessly tried to hold United's swarming strike force at bay.

Then just when we thought it couldn't get any better Albert produced the most princely of finishes to leave the big Dane flat on his feet.

Three days later United took on Oldham in the 3rd Round of the Coca Cola Cup and Keegan made five changes as he sought to give some players a rest

It could quite easily have been a case of after the Lord Mayor's show but United were professional enough to scrape through by a single Beardsley penalty which he notched past former United 'keeper Gary Kelly.

One of the players rested was Shearer and the United faithful were rocked by the news that he had aggravated a nagging groin injury and would be out of action for up to 2 months.

Meanwhile Torquay striker Rodney Jack arrived on Tyneside for a weeks trial with the Devon based club allegedly considering a six figure offer.

In an apparent admittance of his sides defensive failings Keegan appointed former Brighton manager Mark - "I feel like a kid again" - Lawrenson as a defensive coach

But at Filbert Street it was scoring goals that they were having trouble with as Kasey Keller performed superbly to keep The Magpies and Sir Les in particular, out.

United started confidently but after 17 minutes Pavel spilled a shot allowing Claridge to score. Numerous chances were created but Martin O' Neill's men hung on and secured three points when Heskey added a second towards the end.

Keegan agreed that they'd missed Shearer but warned his players that "if we're going to lose three points every time because we've lost one player we can't pretend we're going to win the championshop"

Keegan urged his foreign stars to show some English spirit and maintained his reputation for tactical bravery by playing a three man back line.

It was a breathtaking display in which the Hungarian champions were torn to shreds by United's scintillating attack with Asprilla in particular in the mood.

The crowd was temporarily stunned into silence when Beardsley missed a penalty half way through the first half but two goals from Tino [41 and 58] soon had them in full voice.

Another brilliant Ginola effort and a last gasp goal from Ferdinand completed the rout.

Keegan rated the performance as even better than the Man United game; "I think that was as good as it can get, real football" he enthused. He accepted that his tactics were risky but maintained "that if you 're worried about the stick you should get an office job instead".