On April 3, 1996, Liverpool hosted Newcastle United at Anfield in what would become one of the most iconic matches in Premier League history. With both teams fighting to stay in the hunt for the title, the stakes were incredibly high. Newcastle, trailing Manchester United by just three points with two games in hand, needed to win to keep pace with the leaders. Liverpool, under manager Roy Evans, were eight points behind United and had played one game less, making this clash crucial for their hopes of challenging for the league.

The atmosphere at Anfield was electric, and it didn’t take long for the drama to unfold. Just 97 seconds into the match, Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler gave the home side the perfect start, scoring a header past Newcastle goalkeeper Paul Srnicek. The early goal set the tone for a high-octane game, but within 15 minutes, the game had dramatically swung in Newcastle’s favor.

First, Les Ferdinand capitalized on a defensive mistake to bring Newcastle level. Then, just minutes later, David Ginola’s powerful shot from distance put the visitors 2-1 ahead, leaving the Liverpool defense reeling. Despite the early shock, Liverpool responded with intensity and urgency, keeping the match wide open with more twists to come.

As the second half began, Liverpool mounted a comeback, and Steve McManaman, who had already been denied twice in the first half, turned provider, feeding a perfect pass to Fowler, who fired home to make it 2-2. Just when it seemed like the game might settle, Newcastle regained the lead again. This time, Liverpool goalkeeper David James made an error, rushing off his line and allowing Faustino Asprilla to pounce on a loose ball, putting Newcastle back in front, 3-2.

Despite Newcastle’s advantage, the game was far from over. Within minutes, Liverpool leveled the score once again. Jason McAteer floated a cross into the box, where Stan Collymore arrived at the back post to power the ball into the net, making it 3-3. The intensity and pace of the match were relentless, with both sides pushing for the win. The Liverpool fans were in full voice, while Newcastle’s supporters looked on anxiously, knowing their team was facing a fierce battle.

With time winding down, it appeared that the game might end in a dramatic draw. However, in the dying minutes, Collymore struck again. Finding himself unmarked in the penalty area, he had plenty of time to set himself and unleash a thunderous shot past Srnicek, giving Liverpool a 4-3 lead. The Anfield crowd erupted in jubilation as Collymore celebrated, but it was a moment of devastation for Newcastle and manager Kevin Keegan, who was captured slumped over in his seat, utterly dejected. That image—Keegan’s broken posture amid the chaos—would become one of the defining pictures of the game.

Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler reflected on the moment, calling it one of the most iconic shots in football history. It captured the agony of a team that had fought so hard but ultimately came up short. Tyler’s words—”I get goosebumps every time I hear it because it was such a special time”—highlight the emotional rollercoaster the match had provided, embodying everything fans love about football: drama, passion, and unpredictability.

In the end, neither Liverpool nor Newcastle would go on to win the Premier League that season. Manchester United secured their third title in four years, but the match at Anfield between these two sides lived on in the memories of football fans as one of the most thrilling games ever played. As one reporter described it, the game was “the most compelling advertisement for the English game,” a nerve-tingling encounter that had everything—goals, drama, and moments that would be talked about for years to come.

This match wasn’t just a contest between two title contenders—it was a vivid illustration of the raw emotions and unpredictability that make football so captivating. From the early lead to the comebacks and the final, stunning winner, it encapsulated the magic of the Premier League. For the players, the fans, and those watching around the world, it was a perfect showcase of the beautiful game.