All 21 Of Newcastle's Premier League Opening Day Fixtures

Date: 21 August 1994

Venue: Filbert Street

Result: 3-1

Starting XI: Srníćek (Hooper); Hottiger, Venison, Peacock, Albert, Beresford; Sellars (Elliott), Lee, Clark, Fox, Beardsley (Mathie); Cole.

Goals: Cole (51), Beardsley (58), Elliott (74)

Yellow Cards: Albert, Sellars Red Cards: Srníćek

Debuts: Marc Hottiger, Phillipe Albert

Manager: Kevin Keegan

What Happened?

It was all systems attack from the outset as Newcastle began their second year in the Premier League with an easy win over recently promoted Leicester. Andy Cole opened the scoring after 51 minutes when he instinctively stabbed in Peter Beardsley's mis-hit shot from six yard, before Beardsley jinked into the penalty area and lashed the ball into the bottom corner. Robbie Elliott completed the scoring for Kevin Keegan's side with 16 minutes remaining, guiding in Ruel Fox's cross from the edge of the penalty area. The only blemish was the late and unnecessary red card picked up by Srníćek for unsporting behaviour.

League Position: 3rd

Was It A Sign Of Things To Come?

Newcastle strung six successive victories together at the beginning of the 1994/95 season and remained unbeaten for a club record 11 matches before losing to Manchester United in October. Two wins from the following 12 games, and the departure of leading marksman Cole to Old Trafford in January, effectively terminated any hopes of challenging for the title and the Magpies finished the season in sixth.

Final League Position: 6th