Chapter 421: The Last match
The 1997/1998 season proved to be a dramatic one across English football. In the Premiership, all three newly promoted sides – Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley, and Crystal Palace – were relegated after just a single season at the top. Everton endured their toughest campaign in around fifty years, finishing 17th and narrowly avoiding relegation thanks to a superior goal difference over 18th-placed Bolton.
Meanwhile, the First Division saw Nottingham Forest crowned champions, with Middlesbrough finishing as runners-up, both securing an immediate return to the Premiership. Charlton Athletic claimed the final promotion spot via the playoffs, ending an eight-year absence from the top flight.
The domestic cups also provided headlines. In the FA Cup, Arsenal triumphed over Roy Evans’ Liverpool, making history as the first club to win the trophy following a managerial change.
The League Cup brought even more drama. Chelsea defeated Newcastle United 2–0 to secure the first major trophy for new manager Gianluca Vialli, only weeks after Ruud Gullit was controversially sacked.
Gullit’s dismissal, allegedly stemming from a disagreement with the club board over compensation, came at a time when the team was still in contention for silverware, making it a highly unusual move. Gullit himself disputed the board’s version of events, but Chelsea chairman Ken Bates did not mince words, stating, "I didn’t like his arrogance – in fact, I never liked him."
Vialli replaced Gullit, and the former player made his final appearance in the first leg of that season’s League Cup semi-final.
In the weekend’s league match, the already-recovered O’Neill, with a bandage on his nose, rested his key players and led a younger squad to face Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
The stadium was filled to capacity.
Newcastle enjoyed a good run in the 1997–98 League Cup, reaching the final for the first time in 24 years. However, they never looked like winners, and the final whistle blew with a 2–0 scoreline, giving the trophy to opponents Chelsea, who had just appointed a new manager.
Embarrassing!
🎵 "We want goals, not passing slow,
Dalglish, give us the Keegan show!
Run and shoot, don’t hold the ball,
We love football, give your all!" 🎵
Kevin Keegan’s exit came early in the year, with Dalglish taking over. He had led Blackburn to the title during the season when Manchester City was still in the First Division. Dalglish had faded into the background, and Richard never got a chance to see how his team played.
Today, however, they finally had the opportunity to cross paths.
As the Manchester City players entered the pitch, Newcastle’s squad formed two lines, welcoming them onto the field.
In the top tier of English football, it is traditional for teams to welcome the champions when they enter away grounds—a custom dating back to the Busby Babes era. When strong Chelsea claimed their first league title and visited Old Trafford, Sir Matt Busby graciously had his players form a guard of honor for the champions, showcasing respect for their prowess. This created a gentlemanly tradition in English football, where league and European champions receive such honors during matches that aren’t yet concluded, though there are exceptions.
Overall, this kind of hospitality should not be seen as shameful; it showcases good sportsmanship. Losing the title gracefully, without pretending to ignore a champion they sincerely admire, is commendable. Yet today’s guard of honor amused the commentator.
"Newcastle United is welcoming the new Premier League champions at St. James’ Park, which is fine, as it’s part of our English tradition. But the majority of Manchester City’s players on the pitch today are substitutes. Andy, what do you think?"
Indeed, even the City players looked a little embarrassed. Although they were part of the championship-winning squad, most were sitting on the bench and felt they were merely basking in the glow of their teammates’ achievements.
O’Neill and Mourinho were comfortably seated on the sidelines, sensing no issues. For them, team pride is for everyone. Even if you’re not in the starting eleven, your contributions still matter. It’s same for Richard. He couldn’t stand fans arguing about who was more important.
It’s fine to compare abilities, but in a team, every player has a role. Just imagine—trying to go through an entire season with only the starting eleven and never hitting any bumps; if that were possible, it would be nothing short of a miracle.
Since their team had already clinched the title, there was no problem. In fact, this was the same squad that had faced Mourinho’s defeat against Liverpool.
When O’Neill heard they had been beaten, he was furious. How stupid was it to field backup players while still in the semi-final?
What made him even more furious was why Richard had suddenly brushed aside the semi-final loss so casually. O’Neill suddenly felt it was unfair. If it had been him in charge, he would probably have already faced his wrath.
As Richard watched Newcastle’s starting lineup assemble on the pitch, he turned to Mylvaganam from Prozone and asked, "What do you think their tactics will be?"
Mylvaganam shrugged. "I don’t expect any drastic changes," he replied. "Dalglish hasn’t shown much appetite for risk this season. Expect a lot of cautious passing and defensive positioning. It’s not exactly inspiring football."
Richard sighed, taking in the lineup. Even from a distance, it was clear that the team’s style was no longer about flair or attacking intent. The fear was that this cautious approach would stifle the players’ potential, leaving Newcastle predictable and vulnerable.
Dalglish’s cautious brand of football proved deeply unpopular with supporters, who were used to Newcastle’s previous swashbuckling style; more importantly, this defensive approach was failing to produce results.
After selling David Ginola and Les Ferdinand to Tottenham Hotspur, and with Alan Shearer in decline, manager Kenny Dalglish signed goalkeeper Shay Given, midfielder Temur Ketsbaia, striker John Barnes, and veteran forward Ian Rush—the club’s oldest signing at age 36. The result?
Disaster.
Many of Dalglish’s new signings were widely considered to fall short of the quality of those who had left the club that season. The team’s lackluster league form only added to the fans’ frustration, and to make matters worse, Newcastle managed to score just 35 goals all season.
"They’ll likely revert to the traditional 4-4-2, wings flying in tandem. Do you believe it?"
Mylvaganam raised an eyebrow. "Really? Going back to that?"
Richard shrugged. "This way, both midfielders can focus solely on defending, while the attack remains on the wings."
"Let’s see."
As the match kicked off, Richard and Mylvaganam observed and sighed. "This indeed seems to be a suitable tactic for today’s game."
Newcastle did indeed execute a 4-4-2 formation, with both a tall and quick forward leading the charge.
Jon Dahl Tomasson partnered with Shearer up front.
Interestingly, Newcastle might not have experienced such a goal drought in the Premier League if striker Faustino Asprilla hadn’t left in January. Many believe Asprilla’s departure played a significant role in the team’s collapse, especially after his heroics against Barcelona, where he scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 victory.
While some blamed Asprilla for Newcastle’s late-season struggles, Richard believed the media shared some of the responsibility. After all, Asprilla had joined the club before being heavily criticized for supposedly disrupting the team’s attacking system and preventing crucial goals in key matches.
Kevin Keegan had insisted that Asprilla was a genius, perfectly suited for Newcastle’s style. However, once Alan Shearer returned from injury and Dalglish took over, Asprilla was promptly benched. Following that memorable hat-trick against Barcelona, Asprilla announced his departure suddenly.
Many assumed that Shearer’s comeback would stabilize the team, but he was unable to recapture the form he had enjoyed under Keegan.
In the end, Manchester City smelled blood. Richard couldn’t have asked for a better situation.
City was in full control now; the only question was putting the game beyond all doubt.
Newcastle, out of ideas, tried to force their way forward, but every move was stifled by the composed Van Bommel and Nakata duo. The Magpies’ midfielders attempted a desperate pass into the final third, hoping for a spark, any spark.
Nakata read it instantly. He intercepted, scooped up the loose ball in midfield, and turned on the spot.
He had space.
He had time.
And, most importantly, he had Frank Lampard making a perfectly timed run toward the edge of the box.
Nakata feinted left, sending his marker stumbling, before threading a precise, weighted pass forward.
Lampard didn’t even break stride. The ball rolled into his path, almost inviting him to strike.
One touch to settle.
One glance at the goal.
Then—a beautiful curling effort arched toward the top corner.
GOAL!
The ball sailed past Ex-City goalkeeper Shay Given’s outstretched fingertips and nestled perfectly into the top corner.
Newcastle United 0–1 Manchester City.
St. James’ Park erupted. The crowd’s roar shook the stands, a tidal wave of cheers and disbelief. Flags waved, scarves whipped overhead, and the stadium became a living, breathing entity of emotion.
Richard allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. Every element had come together: patience, precision, timing. City had seized the moment—and there was no turning back.
Lampard ran straight to the dugout, pointing at Nakata. Nakata grinned, pumping his arms before Lampard jumped into him. Others crowded around the two, slapping backs and ruffling hair.
But City wasn’t done scoring. Newcastle could barely string three passes together anymore.
The ball came in from the right, whipped perfectly along the edge of the box. Zanetti, surveying the defense, timed his run and delivered a precise cross with his right foot.
Trezeguet, reading the trajectory instantly, surged forward. He rose above the defenders, leaping with perfect timing. The stadium seemed to hold its breath as his head connected with the ball.
THWACK!
The header rocketed past the outstretched goalkeeper, arrowing into the top corner of the net. Not a hand could have stopped it.
Trezeguet didn’t even celebrate immediately. He just stood there for a moment, arms outstretched, staring into the crowd. Then, finally, he let out a roar and sprinted toward the corner flag.
Newcastle United 0–2 Manchester City.
By the 85th minute, Newcastle had completely given up. Their defenders weren’t even pressing anymore. Every time City had the ball, it felt like they could score.
Richard watched as Okocha, now full of confidence, toyed with Newcastle’s Warren Barton. He feinted right, cut left, and dragged the ball with him. Barton stepped forward to close him down. That was a mistake.
Okocha calmly laid the ball off to his right. Lampard, making a late run from the middle, was waiting. He stepped onto the ball and drove it low into the bottom corner.
Richard and Mylvaganam grinned, nodding.
"That’s how it’s done."
Having already wrapped up the Premier League, Manchester City now had the bandwidth to focus on the Champions League final. This time, they weren’t facing the usual teams—they were up against the beast: Real Madrid.