St James' celebrates Keegan, whilst Howe misses match due to illness

Olivier Bernard is my guest for the thumping of Manchester United at St James' Park

Sunday 13th April, 2025

A Sunday afternoon football match at St James' Park live on TV is always a wonderful occasion. And when Manchester United visit, no matter what kind of form they are in, it's always a brilliant atmosphere.

St James' Park celebrates the legacy of Kevin Keegan ahead of the Premier League match against Manchester United

The sun was shining nicely on Sunday in Newcastle. A little windier than the previous week of glorious spring sunshine, but all in all another bright day and a day when Newcastle United romped to a 4-1 victory to keep the momentum up in their pursuit of Champions League football.

The atmosphere around the city brilliant as always as I arrive on the train from home in Edinburgh. Hours before kick-off, the black & white shirts already roaming around the city centre as the anticipation builds. As I exit the train station, the first sight you see is that of Newcastle United tops as fans walk in different directions, following their pre-match routines. The Victoria Comet, the pub opposite the city's Central Station is busy as usual.

My guest for the game today is former player Olivier Bernard who was signed by Sir Bobby Robson in 2000 and stayed at the Club for five seasons in his. first spell. He struck up a brilliant partnership with Laurent Robert on the left side of the pitch during their time together in Newcastle and the two Frenchman remain good friends.

Whilst Robert now lives in the south of France in Montpellier, Bernard has stayed in the North East where his wife is from and kids were born. Despite being born in Paris, he now calls Newcastle home.

His career began at Lyon, and through the day we discuss the city's highlights. It is the foodie Capital of France and historically the Olympique Lyonnais Football Club has had a very good academy. Bernard loved his time there, but fell in love with Newcastle quickly once he made the move to the North Easy as a youngster. He didn't speak a word of English when he arrived but Sir Bobby took him under his wing. Bernard was inspired by the manager's travels across Europe.

Former Newcastle United left-back Olivier Bernard was my guest for the match against Manchester United

Olivier and I meet a Newcastle's city-centre Gaucho restaurant, where the Club often host hospitality guests, ready to spend time with the ticket holders before the match whilst lunch is served.

Our former left-back was brilliant with the stories he shared whilst we spoke to fans. It's always incredible to find out where fans have travelled from on match-days. Some from the North East and using the day as a special occasion, others travelling to Newcastle from around the UK including Newcastle fans who have travelled down from Edinburgh. Others had travelled mega distances. A Geordie family have flown from Melbourne where they now live just for the match and who had last watched Newcastle United in person at the MCG when Newcastle United played in last season's end-of-season Australia tour.

We also chatted to a son who had brought his father over from Houston, Texas so he could experience a match-day at St James' Park. Seeing the excitement on everyone's faces is always a joy, especially for those who have travelled half-way across the world to see their team play.

After Gaucho, we head to Wings at St James' Park, the room in which I host on a match day. It's situated in the Leazes End and is always a brilliant atmosphere pre-match as the food is served and the drinks flow. With a win, the atmosphere post-match is always a joy as well.

Olivier talked through his tales of Champions League football under Bobby Robson, the time Robert accidentally booted a ball into his head and knocked him out and the injuries he battled with during his second spell at the Club as his career started to decline.

Bernard and I watched the match together, and witnessed another classic Wor Flags display. This time former manager Kevin Keegan was the subject as his time with the Club, both as a player and as a manager was celebrated. Whilst 52,000 celebrated Keegan, we were also sending our best wishes to current manager, Eddie Howe who is in hospital recovering from Pneumonia.

As for the match, Olivier and I (plus everyone else in the stadium) were in awe of Sandro Tonali - he's an outstanding footballer and you could easily just watch him for 90 minutes. His pressing, unrelenting athleticism and willingness to run 80 yards with the ball in the closing minutes of a match are second-to-none. The way he celebrated Bruno's goial before it had even gone in, was just a touch of brilliance.

Not to mention his technical ability, which was fully on show once again as he opened the scoring right in front of us in the Leazes Stand after a beautiful assist from Alexander Isak. Funnily enough all of Tonali's goals have come at the Leazes end if I am not mistaken.

The goal on his debut against Villa, the two against Brentford in the Cup, the absolute wonder strike against Brentford in the Premier League and now today's strike against Manchester United.

Despite a Manchester United equaliser, it was easy for Newcastle United in the second-half and a 4-1 win felt pretty routine in. Pleased to see Harvey Barnes playing well once again as well. It's great to see him get a run in the team.

To celebrate the win and another three points, we're back inside Wings after the match and singing "stand up if you love the Toon'.

Another great day at St James' and it won't be long until I'm back what with Wednesday night's game-in-hand we have against Crystal Palace. Win that and we are firmly on course for Champions League football next season and I really would love to see Newcastle United in the competition's new format. I think we really would navigate it very well.

For now through, back onto the train back home to Edinburgh and the Masters to watch for the evening.