10 Famous World Cup Moments Involving Newcastle Players
1. David Batty And The Keegan Curse (1998)
Do you back him to score Kevin? Yes or no was the snap query incredulously posed by Brian Moore to Kevin Keegan in the seconds before Batty took his penalty. Without pausing for thought Keegan howled "YES" in a huge vote of confidence in the player he'd brought to Newcastle two years earlier. Ironically this was the first spot-kick Batty had taken as a professional and he'd been fatally cursed by Keegan before he'd even set off on his run-up. Moore, meanwhile, can't be absolved of blame for putting such an absurd question to a former England captain in the knowledge that it was impossible for Keegan to say no. Batty's effort, although well struck, was spectacularly saved by Roa and Argentina progressed to the quarter-final at England's expense although it was impossible to heap the blame squarely on the midfielder. Instead the finger was, correctly, pointed at Hoddle for allowing a man unfamiliar with penalties and shooting in general to step forward and decide the fate of the Three Lions from 12-yards.
