Peter Schmeichel v Newcastle | The Greatest Goalkeeping Performance in Premier League History
Legendary performance by the Great Dane that had pretty much secured Manchester United's Premier League title in 1995/96.
By 20 January 1996, Newcastle had opened up an astonishing 12-point gap over Manchester United, the Premier League trophy looking destined for the northeast. However, when Manchester United visited St James’ Park on 4 March, Alex Ferguson’s relentless juggernaut had cranked up the pressure, cutting the lead to just four points in a little over six weeks.
Eric Cantona’s winning strike, and Manchester United’s subsequent three points that night, broke Newcastle’s hearts and, from then on in, there was only one winner in the title race. The Red Devils wrapped up the campaign and finished four points ahead of the Magpies, who once again finished runner-up in 1996/97, this time by a wider seven-point-margin.
“We played out of our skins but you could have chucked a handful of rice at Peter Schmeichel that night and he would have kept out every grain,” says Keegan. “It was the greatest goalkeeping performance I had ever witnessed.”
“Peter was unbelievable as he thwarted Newcastle time and again,” writes Ferguson. “Our first concerted attack did not come until just before the interval. It was a relief to gather in the dressing room and take stock of our position.”
“Really, it should have been the same score as the 5-0. It has to go down as one of the outstanding goalkeeping performances of the era. ‘You know what I’m like,’ Pete said. ‘I just like to spread myself and I was making contact with everything. You could have played until midnight and you wouldn’t have scored - I was just having one of those games’.”
Aside from the fact that Schmeichel pulled off multiple outstanding (and later iconic) saves at critical moments during this match, most people are too young to remember the context of the match: Newcastle were 6-7 points clear at the top of the league, and on a great run, looking unbeatable! If United had lost that match (which they would’ve done with any other goalkeeper playing that night!), Newcastle would’ve surely gone on to win the league. Instead, Schmeichel’s wonder saves and Cantona’s goal became the catalyst for Newcastle’s demise and United’s eventual title win that season! That context, along with the stunning saves to keep a clean sheet, is why this is considered the “Best goalkeeping performance”!! I, for one definitely agree with the title 👏👏👏
Yeah, on performance alone I can think of a few games where Premier League goalkeepers played on a similar level. De Gea vs Arsenal would be one of the last ones but I'm sure you can add a few more from the likes of Čech, Seaman, Alisson etc. But with the added context this game by Schmeichel stands out by a mile.
Peter was great. His biggest strength was also a mild weakness in that he would come off the line for anything. It meant he was caught out a few times but at least you knew Peter would come out and claim crosses or race to intercept through balls. Biggest heart in mouth moment San Siro 99 when he collected that ball on front of Simeone against Inter I swear I thought he was getting sent off that game.
I cannot believe this was almost 30 years ago!! That is focking scary!! I was 18 back then, now 45! I want to go back in time to the 90's when I was young, care-free and everything was better. ;)
And to think today he probably wouldn’t get a game because his kicking isn’t great 🤷♂️🤔
wasn't it (Newcastle) 9 points ahead with one game more (than united)?
What an immense keeper Schmeichel was , the best in the world in his reign , the best keeper Utd ever have had and we've had some great ones , a few flops as well😁
One of the best keeper, and best keeper playing for Manchester United.
I remember watching this as a kid. Tim Flowers performance against Newcastle, possibly the season before, is pretty much neck and neck with this one.
Fully agree with that.. Tim Flowers’ performance that game was outrageous too. Are there any other examples of truly season defining goalkeeping performances like that?
That's cos Tim had bottle.
When footballers used to have passion, we only see this nowadays from lower league football 😮
Other than those three or so saves in the first ten minutes, most of the rest was straight forward stuff that you would have expected him to make. But nevertheless, his awareness and positioning was excellent, knowing what to collect and what to leave because the ball was going out of play etc. Brian Clough once said that Peter Shilton was worth twelve to fifteen points a season to Nottingham Forest. I can see why a knowing manager would say that about a top goalkeeper. Schmeichel certainly got United out of a few jams when he was there.
Without Peter newcastle would have a premier league title
And cantona
At 9:00 Denis Irwin made the only error in his entire career according to Peter Schmeichel. Peter was so baffled by this he forgot to yell at Denis.
He made one against Arsenal at Highbury the autumn before, letting in Bergkamp for a goal. Otherwise, he didn't make too many.
best performance for sure , be alot less trophies in old trafford only for schmeichel
You should do David Marshall Barca v Celtic 2004 at the Nou Camp and Fraser Forster Celtic v Barca 2012 at Celtic Park bud 👍🏼
It just blows my mind in the comments "He was ok " or " not like a modern keeper - You get different types of fear factors in football strikers, midfielders etc but teams were already beaten when peter was in goal he was that good. The only other keeper properly comes close is Oliver Khan.
Soccer players used to look so much more cool
Football
Soccer…? Naaaaaa…
I watched this. I wasn't impressed. United played horribly. Lord Schmeichel single handedly won that match.
Thats the point 🤣
@@waynebamforth1436 Indeed. I remembered watching this match and wondering if this was really Manchester United playing. Cantona scored the solitary goal yes, but it was Schmikes who won the three points that day.
Its the game where at half time gullit says that he believed utd might nick it.
키핑은 좋은데 발밑이 엄청안좋네 현대에서 뛰었으면 맨유못갈정도
good time waster
This was bang average for Schmeichel. A handful of decent saves but was beaten a few times and was spared by shots marginally off target. Some dodgy distribution also. He had a great season in 95/96 but this is not a great example.
U's obviously don't know your football then
@@user-bc9cc4tu6b What makes you say that? Because my opinion differs to yours? I remember this match at the time, and the significance of the win in the title race.However, I can support my claim that he was beaten by marginally off target or squandered chances, with evidence. In the first half Schmeichel is well beaten by a free kick that clips the post, Ferdinand squanders the follow up. There are a number of balls whipped in by Ginola in the first half that Schmichael was well beaten for had Ferdinand managed a decent connection on. There weren't many clear cut chances for Newcastle in the 2nd half, the saves made were fairly routine. None of the saves in this match was of the standard of some of his great saves, such as v West Ham in 1994, v Arsenal in 1992, or that amazing Champions League save from Zamorano in 1999, or the Banks-like save against Rapid Vienna. On both occasions on this thread I have given my honest opinion based on facts, yet thus far your contribution has been a rudely dismissive comment that show you know nothing about manners.
@@pukabowers4353 I am dismissive beacuse your opinion makes as much sense as having a chocolate teapot. Anyone who thinka schmiechel was bang averahe in this match is just quite frankly stupid him and cantona won united the title in 96 only goalkeeper to near enough single handedly win a side a league but then again your dopey brain thinks he was average 🤣🤦
A few good saves but he never looks comfortable on the ball. The modern keeper needs to contribute going forward. I say sign Songo'o.
o.O
@@ToTheNines87368 p_P
Didn't even show the united goal or any of their chances, stupid video, no wonder newcastle has never won anything, small club
Did Schmeichel play any part in United’s goal? I also didn’t include van Basten’s volley against USSR - it is just about as relevant as Cantona’s goal in a video about Schmeichel’s individual performance.
Your having a laugh , " Greatest Performance Ever " Aye right
@hfc Don`t know but if that`s it I am mightily unimpressed . I`m sure Peter .S would not rate that busy performance up there
“Really, it should have been the same score as the 5-0. It has to go down as one of the outstanding goalkeeping performances of the era. ‘You know what I’m like,’ Pete said. ‘I just like to spread myself and I was making contact with everything. You could have played until midnight and you wouldn’t have scored - I was just having one of those games’.” That's what Schmeichel has to say about it.
@@HarmsFootball 8:35 and 12:55 are both substantial errors. Schmeichel had a fantastic game but, you can't have two mistakes of that magnitude and call it the best performance ever.
He is the wall