For all their tribulations over the last decade, if there’s one thing Newcastle United have rarely lacked, it’s a top-class centre-forward.
Alan Shearer is the obvious testament to that trend but during their hayday, the Magpies’ line was also lead by some of the Premier League’s other greatest goalscorers, such as Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand and Michael Owen to name a few.
Even the likes of Demba Ba, Obafemi Martins, Craig Bellamy and Papiss Cisse were real forces of netting prowess at their peaks, whilst Dwight Gayle is currently top of the Championship’s scoring charts with eleven goals in twelve appearances.
But we at Football FanCast are more interested in the flipside of that coin – namely, the strikers who’ve caused Newcastle and their fans relentless heartache down the years by regularly hitting the onion bag against them.
Aided by our chums at Transfermarkt, here’s a rundown of the ten strikers with the best scoring records against the Tynesiders.
10. Robbie Fowler – 20 Apps, 8 Goals, 1 Assist
One of the most dominant goalscorers of the early Premier League era, it’s no surprise to see Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler kicking off the top ten. He not only netted regularly against the Magpies for the Reds, but also added to his tally during a prior spell with Manchester City – scoring twice during the 2004/05 season.
9. Robin van Persie – 14 Apps, 8 Goals, 5 Assists
Make no mistake about it, Robin van Persie ran riot against the Toon throughout his Premier League career, playing some part in 13 goals during 14 appearances. That includes strikes for both Arsenal and Manchester United – his first coming all the way back at the start of the 2005/06 campaign.
8. Emmanuel Adebayor – 13 Apps, 8 Goals, 7 Assists
Emmanuel Adebayor, meanwhile, boasts arguably the most impressive return on this list. He’s contributed to 15 goals in just 13 outings versus Newcastle, throughout his spells with Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. In fact, during a 5-0 thumping on behalf of the latter club, he played a part in every goal, with one strike and four set-ups.
7. Olivier Giroud – 8 Apps, 8 Goals, 2 Assists
The first striker on this list who’s still in action in England, unfortunately for the Magpies. Indeed, Giroud’s strike-rate against the Toon currently stands at one-goal-per-game, with two assists thrown in for good measure. That includes back-to-back braces during the 2014/15 season.
6. Nicolas Anelka – 21 Apps, 9 Goals, 1 Assist
Another Premier League goalscoring great, Nicolas Anelka has benefited from the sheer volume of appearances he’s made against Newcastle. Nonetheless, nine goals in 21 outings certainly isn’t a shoddy return from the former Arsenal, Bolton, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea man.
5. Andy Cole – 20 Apps, 11 Goals, 1 Assist
Andy Cole not only played for Newcastle but also regularly put them to the sword whilst serving his other employers. However, four of his eleven goals came in a single game as the Red Devils annihilated the Magpies 5-1 at Old Trafford back in 1999.
4. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 10 Apps, 11 Goals, 1 Assist
One of the greatest goalscorers to ever grace the Premier League, it’s no surprise to see Ruud van Nistelrooy’s goal tally outweigh his number of appearances against the Magpies. He memorably bagged a hat-trick upon facing Newcastle in 2002 and a brace in the 2005 FA Cup semi-final.
3. Sergio Aguero – 10 Apps, 11 Goals, 1 Assists
Sergio Aguero’s record is almost identical to Ruud van Nistelrooy, excepting an extra two assists on the Argentine’s part. Sensationally, five of those goals came in a single match, a 6-1 drubbing, as the Magpies tumbled out of the top flight last season.
2. Michael Owen – 10 Apps, 13 Goals
Another striker who once represented Newcastle but also did plenty of damage against them, Michael Owen grabbed 13 strikes in just 10 outings versus the Tynesiders. All of those goals, including two hat-tricks, came during his affluent spell at Liverpool.
1. Wayne Rooney – 24 Apps, 14 Goals, 9 Assists
Wayne Rooney’s record against Newcastle is well known and the numbers speak for themselves. He’s contributed to 23 goals in just one more appearance, scoring 14 himself. In fact, the only club the England captain has scored more goals against throughout his career is Aston Villa.
