Anfield Red

“All hail the return of the King” was the shout at this particular clash. Eric Cantona was given a hero’s reception as he returned to Old Trafford following his nine month ban for a kung-fu attack on a mouthy spectator at Selhurst Park. And that was just from Richard Keys and Andy Gray. The United fans really loved him, despite the fact that his avoidable absence had probably played a huge part in their side finishing the 1994/95 season empty handed.

And when, within a minute of kick off, Cantona had seen his measured pass collected on the burst by Nicky Butt for the opener, the stage was set for an Eric-inspired stroll in the autumn sun. Especially considering Liverpool were wearing a horrific green & white quartered rugby-style shirt, and had Neil Ruddock & John Scales in their back four.

But beneath the aesthetic monstrosity, Liverpool also housed their own “King”. Well, “God” to be more precise. Robbie Fowler may have acted the goat and bleached his hair in the summer, but he was still the best young player around, bar none.

Unperturbed by the Cantona-fuelled love in, he proceeded to run United ragged, latching onto a Michael Thomas ball down the inside left channel, he gave Peter Schmeichel “the eyes”, shaping the go across goal he simply hammered an exocet of a strike inside the Dane’s near post from the corner of the box. Schmeichel never saw it, and he was even more bemused after the break when Fowler shrugged off Gary Neville with consummate ease and steered home a perfect chip with his right foot (it didn’t matter with Fowler).

It should have been Fowler’s day, it deserved to be. But of course with David Elleray refereeing it was always gonna be tough, and the Harrow Headmaster came up trumps for United, awarding a questionable penalty for a shoulder-to-shoulder clash between Jamie Redknapp & Ryan Giggs, which Cantona rolled home, meaning the enduring image was of Eric the King jumping on the stanchion, rather than Robbie the God actually playing well.