Newcastle United fan site notices stunning coincidence after Saturday's amazing comeback win

Newcastle United's comeback win over West Ham United isn't the first amazing comeback we've seen at St James' Park but is probably one of the most impressive.

While not a win, the 4-4 draw with Arsenal immediately comes to mind when you think of stunning comebacks in games involving Newcastle United. The late, great Cheick Tiote's stunning strike (the only goal he ever scored for Newcastle because some git of a referee ruled out his other one) still sends shivers down your spine when you see it.

There was, in fact, another 4-3 win at St James' Park that took a similar pattern with the Magpies coming back from 1-3 down to win and that was under Kenny Dalglish in 1997 against Leicester City.

Quite apt that it was a former Leicester City man whose brace it was today that sealed the victory for Eddie Howe's men, but that's not the biggest coincidence.

Spooky goings on at St James' Park

Alan Shearer was the man who led Newcastle to glory 27 years ago from an unlikely position, bagging a hattrick in the second half to overcome Leicester's 1-3 advantage.

Fan site nufc.com noticed something eerily similar when looking at the goal times from today and in that game in 1997.

"Recollections of our 4-3 win here over Leicester City back in February 1997 followed this victory - and were strengthened when checking the goal times:
"1997: 1-3, then goals in 77,83 & 90 minutes = 4-3
"2024: 1-3, then goals in 77,83 & 90 minutes = 4-3"

You are now ready for the inevitable pub quiz question

What nufc.com seemingly missed, probably because this one is a bit of a stretch, is that Robbie Elliot's opening goal on that day came after three minutes - Newcastle's first penalty today was awarded on three minutes - the goal was scored in the sixth minute thanks to a VAR check delaying the penalty being taken.

So what does this all mean? Absolutely nothing, but it's a fun bit of trivia that you now know and should have you well-armed for the inevitable pub quiz question at some point down the line.

I'm writing this a good few hours after the game ended and my heart still hasn't returned to a resting BPM - how are you all getting on?