I’m dreaming of a (black and) white Christmas | OneFootball

Watching Newcastle United dismantle Ipswich over the weekend, just a few days before old Saint Nic pops down the chimney, had me reminiscing about some absolute Christmas Crackers we’ve enjoyed over the years.

With memories of supporting NUFC going back over twenty eight years, I’ve experienced some good, bad and downright ugly yuletide offerings from our heroes in black and white.

Thankfully, I’m going to focus on some of the ones that were memorable for all the right reasons.

So grab a glass of eggnog, don that Santa hat and let’s remember some December matches involving Newcastle United that had us all dreaming of a (black and) white Christmas.

30th December 1996

Newcastle 7-1 Tottenham

Before this match kicked off, NUFC had gone seven league matches without a win. Seven was about to become a very significant number as United ended the day in seventh heaven!

A brace apiece for Shearer, Ferdinand and Lee accounted for six of our goals and Philippe Albert scored the other as United racked up their biggest win of the season. Unfortunately for Shaka Hislop, the scoring didn’t finish at 7-0 with Spurs pulling back a last-minute consolation that left our ‘keeper genuinely fuming.

22nd December 1999

Newcastle 6-1 Tottenham

God bless Tottenham bringing us even more Christmas presents, this time in an FA Cup third round replay. The original had finished 1-1 at White Hart Lane but this time around would be far more exciting for those of a black and white persuasion.

Newcastle opened the scoring in just the fifth minute when Gary Speed swept home and soon found themselves two goals to the good when Dabizas headed another. Pantomime Villain Daveed Ginola pulled one back but the key moment came on the stroke of half-time when Ferguson crashed an effort in off the bar to restore our two goal advantage.

The second half belonged to NUFC with a fine individual effort from Dyer being followed by two goals for Alan Shearer on a night that would live long in the memory and brought much Christmas cheer to Tyneside.

26th December 1999

Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool

Newcastle were expected to roll over and take a beating this Boxing Day against a Liverpool side that featured nemesis Micheal Owen.

We looked to be on course for a Christmas miracle when Solano whipped in a free-kick that barely brushed Shearer’s head on the way in to put us 1-0 up. Reality intervened when Owen scored two goals but another glancing header, this time from former-Toffee Duncan Ferguson, gave us a fine Christmas point against the reds.

26th December 2000

Newcastle 2-1 Leeds

NUFC fans must have feared the worst when Leeds took an early lead this Boxing Day. The Toon battled back however, with two goals in a minute near the end of the half.

Solano smashed home an incredible free-kick from fully forty yards and then whipped in a fine cross for Acuna to find the top corner with a header. There was to be no further scoring in the second half and the Toon celebrated a brilliant win against one of the teams near the top of the table. Get in!

22nd December 2001

Leeds 3-4 Newcastle

This is it! The absolute best NUFC Christmas I can remember.

Fresh from beating Arsenal 3-1 at Highbury to go top of the league, Sir Bobby’s heroes pulled off an arguably even better achievement just a few days later.

Drawing 1-1 at the break due to a fine team goal finished off by Bellamy, United soon found themselves 3-1 down and facing a heavy defeat. A diving header from Robbie Elliot got us back in the match and an Alan Shearer penalty had us level. Even better was still to come when Nobby Solano stroked home in the final seconds to win the game. Best of all, I was there! Read all about my memories of this epic occasion here.

17th Dec 2005

West Ham 2-4 Newcastle

Perhaps Michael Owen’s finest hour during his ill-fated time at the Toon. His hat-trick helped blow the Hammers away on a day when Alan Shearer also found the net in one of Greame Souness’ rare highlights as NUFC manager.

Two weeks later, Owen was injured (surprise surprise) and the season was in tatters as United slipped dangerously close to a relegation dogfight, before Glenn Roeder steadied the ship from the end of February.

14th December 2008

Portsmouth 0-3 Newcastle

The club was in turmoil during the 08/09 season and only managed seven wins in total on the way to relegation.

An away victory over Portsmouth did give some Christmas cheer to the long-suffering away end when second-half goals from Owen, Martins and Guthrie sealed a 3-0 win for the Magpies.

11th December 2010

Newcastle 3-1 Liverpool

Where to start with this one?!

Chris Hughton had been controversially sacked by Mike Ashely and Alan Pardew was hardly a popular replacement. A stunning victory over Liverpool however, would ensure that his reign got off to the perfect start. Goals from Nolan, Barton and Carroll confirmed a 3-1 win for the Toon on a day when everything went right.

26th December 2013

Newcastle 5-1 Stoke

This boxing day success was achieved over nine-man Stoke who also had manager Mark Hughes banished to the stands.

After twenty nine minutes however it was Stoke City who were 1-0 up and firmly in control. The tie swung in the Toon’s favour when the Potters had a man sent off for two yellow cards. Just three minutes later, they were also given a straight red for a foul in the area and were reduced to just nine men. Remy saw his penalty saved but was able to make amends with a goal soon after as the teams went into the half-time break level at 1-1.

The second half belonged to United with goals from Gouffran, Remy again, Cabeye and a late Papiss Cisse penalty making it a very merry Christmas for NUFC.

28th December 2014

Newcastle 3-2 Everton

With just five minutes gone, Newcastle found themselves 1-0 down in this one, with seemingly little hope of recovery. An equaliser from Papiss Cisse however had us level at half-time.

Even better was to follow in the second half with goals from Ayoze Perez and Jack Colback putting United 3-1 up. A late Everton consolation did little to dampen spirits as Toon ran out 3-2 winners. Alan Pardew failed to make the post-match press conference and was never again seen as a Toon manager.

23rd December 2017

West Ham 2-3 Newcastle

This really was something of a Christmas miracle in a match that had just about everything!

The away end must have had that sinking feeling when the Toon conceded a poor goal after just five minutes. They needn’t have worried, just a few minutes later, Saivet curled home a free-kick to level.

The second half will live long in the memory, Diame put the Toon 2-1 up but this looked to be in vain when West Ham were awarded a penalty just minutes later. Unbelievably, Rob Elliot made a great save and United stormed down the other end to make it 3-1 through Christian Atsu. There was still time for West Ham to set up a nervy finish but a 3-2 victory was very well deserved.

26th December 2022

Leicester 0-3 Newcastle

Newcastle resumed Premier League action on Boxing Day after an enforced break for the 2022 winter World Cup.

They took the lead after just three minutes when Joelinton was fouled in the area and Chris Wood swept home the penalty. Almiron doubled the lead soon after and when Joelinton buried a header, a score of mammoth proportions looked on the cards.

The second half was less eventful and United declared at three but this was an excellent away victory.

Whatever you’re doing this Christmas, let’s hope we’re all celebrating come 5pm on boxing day.