This weeks classic encounter comes from the 17th of September 1998 when the Toon defeated the mighty Barcelona with a little help from everyone’s favourite Colombian, Faustino Asprilla.

It was Newcastle’s debut in the Champions League and the opposition couldn’t have been much bigger as the Catalan giants were welcomed to St James’. The Barca line up included illustrious figures such as Luis Figo, Rivaldo, and Pep Guardiola, yet these star names were to no avail as in front of a packed St James the Magpies put Barca to the sword.

Joey Barton has said today that he feels he doesn’t deserve the tremendous support he as received from the Geordie fans.

He has today spoken about how grateful he is for the support and how much he loves the city in an interview for the Newcastle Journal

Leave Newcastle down the A1(M) and join onto the M1 then continue south until leaving at J23a (A42/M42). Follow the A42 then M42 right to the end where you’ll meet the M5. Head south down the M5 and leave at J18. Follow the A4 (Bristol Airport/Taunton) along the river and eventually you’ll go over a swing bridge. Bear left after that and you should be able to see the ground on the left.

It’s a long trip down south for the Magpies as they face managerless Bristol City in saturday’s evening kick off which will be show live on Sky.

Tomorrows clash is the only second time the sides have met in 15 years and history favours the Toon who have won ten of the previous fixtures compared to the Robins six. You have to back to 1990 for the last Bristol City victory and the clash at St James’ earlier this season finished with a goalless draw.

Andy Carroll’s goals last night makes him our joint top scorer with experienced striker Peter Lovenkrands.

It is clear to see that Andy has developed well this season and is starting to look more and more like a striker that can lead the Newcastle attack.

Andy has all the characteristics that could make him a great target man and with some more hard work and impressive performances we would be surprised if he didn’t get a chance in the England squad at some point after the world cup.

Our two in-form strikers, Peter Lovenkrands and Andy Carroll, were both on the score sheet as Newcastle edged closer to that premier league return.

The 3-0 victory over Scunthorpe has extended the gap between us and third place Nottingham Forest to 12 points.

Newcastle still have a game in hand over both Forest and second place West Bromwich Albion. Five more wins from our remaining ten matches should guarantee promotion.

Bad boy Joey Barton made his return to football last night when he turned out for the Newcastle reserves. This was Joey’s first taste of competitive football since foot surgery in early October.

It’s good to see that Joey his slowly being eased back into football rather that rushed straight back into the first team.

Joey Barton says that he left Victoria Park all the better for a 75-minute workout during his return from a five-month injury exile at Hartlepool on Tuesday night.

Good news today as Nottingham Forest, who sit in 3rd place, slipped up again last night.

West Brom travelled to the Liberty Stadium to play Swansea. Swansea have been in impressive home form of late so to get any points from this tie would be impressive.

Tomorrow nights fixture sees the Magpies host struggling Lincolnshire side Scunthorpe United.

This will be only the 12th occasion the two sides have locked horns and it’s the Irons who hold the bragging rights with 5 wins to Newcastle’s 4. The fixture earlier this season was the first time the sides had met since 1974 and it proved a day to forget as the Toon crashed to a 2-1 defeat.

Toon legend, Alan Shearer, stayed loyal to the club and refused to wear a Mackem shirt, even for charity.

The former Newcastle United captain appeared on television on the BBC’s One Show last night, where he was asked by presenter Adrian Chiles to take part in the “Shirt of Hurt” campaign for Sport Relief.