An explosive start to the season saw Newcastle storm to the top of the Premier League table. At Christmas 1995 they held a lead of 10 points, which stretched to 12 points in mid-January 1996. However, a run of five defeats from eight matches enabled Manchester United to catch up and overtake them in March, and Newcastle ultimately finished four points behind Alex Ferguson's team.

Sir John Hall's millions allowed Newcastle to invest heavily in players from across the globe. With a total of some £16 million spent on the signings of Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Warren Barton and Shaka Hislop before the start of the season, Kevin Keegan's team made a strong start. Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla and England midfielder David Batty were also attracted to the north-east in February 1996 for a combined total of around £11 million.

Newcastle led the league for virtually all of the season from August until mid-March, and by Christmas had established a 10-point lead over Manchester United. Though they lost 2-0 at Old Trafford on 27 December, they still managed to extend this lead to 12 points on 20 January 1996, putting them in prime position for the title with 15 matches remaining. However, Manchester United – bolstered by the return of Eric Cantona from suspension – then enjoyed a surge in form, while Newcastle dropped vital points away to West Ham and Manchester City. A 1-0 win for Alex Ferguson's team at St James' Park on 4 March ended Newcastle's 100% home record in the league and cut their lead to a single point, and further away defeats at Arsenal, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers allowed Manchester to overtake them and establish a lead that would ultimately prove decisive.

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Wikipedia