The match was won. The humiliation complete. The revenge sweet. But the best, the memory which has survived each of the 20 years since and captured perfectly the elegance and audacity of the scorer and his team, well that was still to come.
‘As soon as I touched the ball, I knew it was in. People don’t believe me, but you get the feeling, you know,’ says Philippe Albert, smiling, as he reflects on the goal which crowned Newcastle United’s 5-0 victory over Manchester United on October 20, 1996.
Collecting a pass from Rob Lee some 45 yards out, the Belgian centre back glided forward, too quick for David Beckham in pursuit.