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Goal of the day: Giggsy’s lightning strike
Date: 18 November 1995, Old Trafford, Premier League.
Background: Come kick-off at Old Trafford in this mid-November clash in the 1995/96 campaign, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Reds – agonisingly pipped to the 1994/95 title by Blackburn in May – are already eight points behind leaders Newcastle United. As early as it is in the season, there’s a feeling that United need to act quickly in response…
Background: Come kick-off at Old Trafford in this mid-November clash in the 1995/96 campaign, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Reds – agonisingly pipped to the 1994/95 title by Blackburn in May – are already eight points behind leaders Newcastle United. As early as it is in the season, there’s a feeling that United need to act quickly in response…
The goal: Act quickly they do. Saints have amassed only seven touches and ventured a couple of yards into United territory when Paul Scholes nicks possession down the right. His bombed diagonal pass is chested down by Eric Cantona in the box, before the Frenchman picks out the incoming Ryan Giggs 14 yards out. Giggsy’s crisp strike beats Dave Beasant and United lead in just 16 seconds.
What happened next: Rampant Giggs added another on four minutes, then Scholes on nine, before Andy Cole iced the cake in the second half (though the Saints did grab a consolation). The title went on to be contested by United and Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle, and it ended up being Ferguson and his young guns who ‘loved it’, as the Reds reeled in the Magpies during a tense run-in to reclaim the Premier League crown (as part of a second Double).
Reaction: "I'm enjoying where I'm playing," said the Welshman. "I've not got a favourite position, I don't mind where I am as long as I'm in the team. This new position seems to get me more involved and, when we play like this, it's great to know that the crowd get a buzz."
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