Five special moments that Newcastle United fans would love to relive again

#4 The greatest comeback in Premier League history vs. Arsenal

In February 2011 Newcastle were deep into the Mike Ashley era, and things were already taking a turn for the bizarre. Chris Hughton had brought the Magpies back up into the Premier League at the first time of asking, but was then fired in December 2010 pretty inexplicably given the club weren’t threatened by relegation and Hughton was popular with the fans. Alan Pardew took over to much controversy, but then oversaw one of the most remarkable results in club history.

The game – a tough one against title challengers Arsenal at St. James’s – looked set to be an absolute disaster at first, when Theo Walcott scored for the visitors after just 44 seconds. By ten minutes in, the Magpies were 0-3 down thanks to subsequent goals from Johan Djourou and Robin van Persie. Van Persie soon added a fourth goal before half-time and the Geordies looked dead and buried going into the break.

This was a different Newcastle, though – buoyed by a core of tough British players such as Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Andy Carroll and Alan Smith – players who refused to give up and were willing to give their all for the club. After 50 minutes, Arsenal’s Abou Diaby was sent off for violent conduct and suddenly, the tide turned.

Barton then scored a penalty after 68 minutes and just seven minutes later Leon Best added a second. Another penalty from Barton – on 83 minutes – added more inexplicable hope, before late midfielder Cheik Tiote thundered in an equaliser with just three minutes to go.

It remains the greatest comeback in Premier League history – the only time a team’s ever come back from being 4-0 down – and Newcastle fans would love to have such fighting spirit in their side today.