Even now, Kevin Keegan’s infamous post-match rant against Alex Ferguson is a little tough to watch. There’s so much passion on show, but also so much pain. It’s a visceral display of defiance, but from a man clearly beginning to realise that he’s fighting a losing battle.
For the majority of the 1995-96 season, Keegan’s Newcastle looked destined to win their first league title since 1927, with a side which quickly became known as ‘The Entertainers’ sweeping all before them with a thrilling brand of football. At one point, they were 12 points clear.
However, United slowly began to close the gap, and when Newcastle lost 4-3 to Liverpool in the greatest game in Premier League history, Keegan was disconsolate, the sight of him slumped over the advertising boards at Anfield becoming one of the defining images of the season.
Just a few weeks later, though, he produced an even more memorable moment. After a 1-0 win at Leeds, Keegan let rip at Ferguson, who had publicly questioned whether opponents would fight as hard against Newcastle as they had against his United team.
“I’ve kept really quiet, but I’ll tell you something, he went down in my estimation when he said that,” Keegan fumed on Sky Sports. “We have not resorted to that, but I’ll tell you, you can tell him now if you’re watching it, we’re still fighting for this title, and he’s got to go to Middlesbrough and get something, and… and… I’ll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them, LOVE IT!”
Unfortunately for Keegan, United did go to Middlesbrough and get something; three points, in fact. And they ended up winning the title quite comfortably in the end, with Newcastle drawing their final two fixtures.
Both Keegan and his team had been broken by Ferguson’s masterclass in the art of mind games.
