By the time Manchester United arrived at St James in April 2003 Newcastle were still firmly in the race for the title with five games left to play and required victory to stay within touching distance of the Red Devils and leaders Arsenal. Six points separated the two sides going into the game and we were even afforded the luxury of an early lead courtesy of a 30-yard pile-driver from Jermaine Jenas mid-way through the first half. But as the BBC wrote in their match report the goal was the signal for a spell of champagne football from Manchester United as they exploited the flaws in a disheveled black and white rearguard to devastating effect, helping themselves to four goals before the interval. Three of them came in the space of five minutes with Paul Scholes bagging a brace before polishing off his hat-trick during a second period in which the visitors were unflinchingly ruthless. It was the first time wed conceded six goals at home since 1961 and firmly put to bed any hopes of getting our hands on the title that season.
