Philippe Albert reveals Newcastle United honest truth on Man United chip 30 years on
Tuesday marked 30 years since Newcastle United thrashed Manchester United 5-0 at St James’ Park.
Philippe Albert has revealed that he planned his stunning 25-yard chip against Manchester United.
Tuesday marked 30 years since Newcastle United put the Red Devils to the sword 5-0 at St James’ Park. Having agonisingly missed out on the Premier League title five months earlier, the Magpies were out for revenge.
Kevin Keegan and Sir Alex Ferguson renewed their hostilities in front of a raucous Tyneside crowd. Newcastle delivered one of the most memorable games in top-flight history as goals from Darren Peacock, David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Albert secured a thrilling five-goal victory.
In the 83rd minute, Albert’s audacious chip placed the cherry on the cake of a masterful performance that continues to live long in the Newcastle memory. Reflecting on the strike three decades on, the Belgian insisted he already had Peter Schmeichel worked out.
‘I knew’ - Philippe Albert
"I controlled the ball, I think the ball was from Rob Lee, who played a one-two with Batty,” he told Flashscore. “As soon as I controlled the ball, my first touch, I knew that I would try a chip because Schmeichel was always coming off his line to reduce the angle.
"Schmeichel was, at the time and for so many years, by far the best goalkeeper in the world with Denmark and with Man United. He was a great goalkeeper who was very clever and when a player had the ball around the box, he was always coming off his line to reduce the angle.
“I always watched Schmeichel coming off his line to reduce the angle and to take the ball very easy. On the day, after my first touch, I knew I would try a chip and it worked, but you always have to be a little bit lucky to do that type of chip."
Philippe Albert classy message
Despite the 1990s rivalry, Albert gave Man United credit for dominating the era. He added: "I watched Man United a lot of times because it was a joy even for us to watch (Eric) Cantona, (Roy) Keane, (David) Beckham, (Paul) Scholes, (Ryan) Giggs. It was a joy to see them play in the Premier League or in Europe.”