Kevin Keegan with Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle United
Kevin Keegan with Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle United
Only Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson tasted life at the top of the Premier League table as they sat down to enjoy their Christmas dinners during the Premier League years.
It was in 1995 and 2001 when the two famous ex-bosses guided Newcastle to the summit of the Premier League thanks to some superb form. Keegan's side, in fairness had led the the top-flight from the very first weekend of the season after storming into a 12-point lead.
A 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at St James' Park just before Christmas saw Rob Lee net twice and David Ginola score a wonder goal in front of 36,531. There looked like there was no stopping Keegan's side although they did lose 2-0 to Manchester United a few days later at Old Trafford.
That would eventually prove to be a key result for the Red Devils but incredibly Keegan's side led the table from the first weekend of the season all the way to the end of March when a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal saw them slip to second.
Despite staying in second and in touch with Manchester United, Newcastle's fight for the title ended on the last game of the season after they were held by Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough folded against the Red Devils at the Riverside.
That Christmas lead could not be maintained with Les Ferdinand once saying: "It all looked good before Christmas. Then after it I remember coming back from London and seeing a young Newcastle fan with ‘Champions 96’ on the back of his shirt
“I wish I’d never seen it. I think anybody who saw us play back then knew it wasn’t because of ability or lack of it that we lost."
The experience of 2001 was slightly different as it was an unexpected rise to the top of the pile in time for the big day. Sir Bobby's men had just beaten Blackburn Rovers 2-1 in mid-December but defeat was expected at Highbury.
However, despite going 1-0 down to a Robert Pires goal, Ray Parlour was sent off for a second booking and the Gunners had to battle on with 10 men. Andy O'Brien equalised on the hour before Alan Shearer's penalty with four minutes to go set the Magpies on course for three very unexpected points.
Laurent Robert put the lid on it for a 3-1 victory to put Newcastle top on Christmas Day! Sir Bobby said afterwards: "Arsène was pretty moody afterwards, and I just felt that they didn’t take the defeat gracefully. Sometimes you have to, no matter how much it hurts. I expressed the opinion, publicly, that Arsène needed to learn how to lose."
Another pre-Christmas win away to Leeds had Robson dancing on the sidelines as he celebrated Nobby Solano's last gasp winner. Boxing Day was also an enjoyable affair as Boro were beaten 3-1.
Robson said then: "I still don't think we can do it (win the league) but the message is 'keep your trap shut, feet on the ground and beaver away and let's see what happens'.
"It takes a brilliant team to win the title, but we're only on the verge of becoming that.
"After that, we have had a lot of luck at the moment and whether that can remain with us until the end of the season I don't know."