All 21 Of Newcastle's Premier League Opening Day Fixtures
13. 2001-02: Chelsea
Date: 19 August 2001
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Result: 1-1
Starting XI: Given; W. Barton, Hughes, Dabizas, Elliott; Bassedas (Griffin), Acuna (A. O'Brien), Lee, Robert; Bellamy, Ameobi (Lua Lua).
Goals: Acuna
Yellow Cards: Hughes, Lee, Robert
Debuts: Robert, Bellamy
Manager: Sir Bobby Robson
What Happened?
Newcastle had recruited big in the summer, acquiring Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy for a combined £15 million and both made their debuts against Chelsea on the opening day. Robert would have the most significant impact of the two new-boys on the day as it was his thunderous free kick that was spilled into the path of Clarence Acuna to equalise - ending a sequence of three opening day fixtures without a goal - with 13 minutes remaining and cancel out Bolo Zenden's early goal.
League Position: 10th
Was It A Sign Of Things To Come?
Newcastle ended as the surprise package of the season, finishing in the top-four for the first time since 1997 and qualifying for the Champions League. At one point the Magpies were in contention for the Premier League title and were top of the table over Christmas and New Year, only to fall away from the chasing pack after a three match winless run in mid-March.
Final League Position: 4th