Temuri Ketsbaia vs Bolton 1998
Unfortunately, Ketsbaia will not be remembered for much else on Tyneside other than his eccentric goal celebration, in which he ripped his shirt off and started booting an advertising board.
In an interview with local newspaper The Chronicle, Ketsbaia spoke of his reasons for the celebration: “Every time I speak with someone they ask about this celebration.
“I scored a goal, I was happy to score a goal but I was not happy to not be playing and I was frustrated. It’s not a normal celebration, but I play with passion and all I wanted to do was play. It was not malicious.
“Now, looking back, as a coach I understand this is not the way that a player should behave. I wouldn’t be happy, but then I would admire the passion of the player.”
Les Ferdinand vs Man United 1996 (Alan Shearer’s reaction)
Shearer was getting much schtick from the away corner at St James’ Park, even with Newcastle commanding a 2-0 lead at this point. Whilst being jeered on the ball, Shearer battled with Dennis Irwin before crossing into the box. His cross was met by Les Ferdinand whose header went in off the bar – past Peter Schmeichel.
Whilst Les celebrated with his Newcastle teammates, such as Ginola and Peacock, our famous number nine celebrated towards the travelling Manchester United fans – mocking their booing and proving how choosing Newcastle was the right decision.
[Go to 0:43 for the goal followed by the celebration]
Alan Shearer vs Aston Villa 2001
Not long before his iconic strike against Everton, Shearer scored from an acute angle courtesy of a pin point cross from Rob Lee. Shearer simply turning around with his arms raised and glare which has stuck with me since I was young. The television coverage and commentary from ITV’s The Premiership gives it that extra nostalgic feeling as well.
Shola Ameobi’s second goal vs Sunderland 2010
The demolition Derby of Halloween 2010 will live long in the memories of many Geordies, namely for Kevin Nolan’s hat-trick, Titus Bramble’s sending off and Shola “Mackem Slayer” Ameobi notching two of his seven career goals against Sunderland this day.
Whilst the first was a standard penalty (Note: Shola does not miss from the spot), the second came from a volleyed tap-in to an empty net after Andy Carroll had hit the bar.
Shola would do his iconic chest tap and jog to the Leazes End, with a roaring first pump at the corner flag, his name and number caught perfectly against the back drop of Black and White by television cameras.
Jonas Gutierrez vs West Ham 2015
In a season full of woes, protests, no investment, no ambition, another two defeats to Sunderland, nine defeats in ten games and a relegation battle, there was at long last a light at the end of the tunnel.
After months of suffering from being diagnosed with testicular cancer, chemotherapy, losing his famous locks of hair, being told to find another club by then manager Alan Pardew, Jonas returned to full health and worked his way from the under 21s in December 2014 to scoring the winner to ensure Premier League safety for another season for Newcastle.
His goal celebration was a burst of passion, relief, adrenaline rushing, weeping, proving doubters wrong and months of hard work paying off, ripping his shirt off and cupping his ears towards controversial owner Mike Ashley in the stands. His eight years, relentless work rate and passion for Newcastle shall not ever be forgotten. Jonas will no doubt one day return to Newcastle and won’t ever have to pay for a pint of his beloved Guinness.
