Newcastle's first season in the Premiership was as eventful as the ones that proceeded it. Even before the season started, United were making the back pages by signing former star Peter Beardsley for £1.5m from Everton in August. However, Beardsley would have ho wait to make his second debut after braking his jaw in a friendly against Liverpool at Anfield. Other players brought in in the summer included Mike Hooper, Malcolm Allen, Alex Mathie and Niki Papavasiliou. Life in the Premiership would be tough going for Toon as they lost their first game against former boss Ossie Ardiles' Tottenham side 1-0 thanks to a Teddy Sheringham goal at St James' Park, which was at the time undergoing a major redevelopment. They gained their first point in the top-flight in their next game against champions Manchster United at Old Trafford with Andy Cole scoring in black and white stripes, and their first win was against Everton with Allen popping up to score the only goal of the game.  The Magpies then came back from 2-1 behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 in September at home, and on the 25th of the month, Beardsley returned to action against West Ham, a 2-0 win for the Geordies with both goals coming from Cole. United then beat Notts County 11-2 on aggregate in the Coca Cola Cup, and scored seven of those away, Cole netting a hat-trick in both legs. Local boy Lee Clark then had a bust-up with boss Kevin Keegan on the Sky Live game against Southampton in a 2-1 defeat, but they followed that up with a 4-0 thrashing, with Beardsley scoring a treble. After a 3-1 televised win against Oldham, Sky Spots pundit Richard Keys dubs Newcastle "The Entertainers", a nickname that would stick around until Keegan left. Then probably the highlight of the season came when teams started to fear United when they beat Liverpool 3-0 at home with Cole scoring a hat-trick. They then moved up to fourth in the table after a 4-0 win against Sheffield United, and then earn a draw aganist Man Utd again in December in a top of the table clash. Keegan then signed a ten year contract at the club after doing so well to take his team from the bottom of the old Second Division to almost the summit of English football, top of the Prem.
 United then crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Luton Town after a replay. Andy Cole made new England boss Terry Venables sit up and look at him by scoring another hat-trick against Coventry City on Tyneside, even more importantly it got United back to winning ways after defeats against Wimbledon and Blackburn in successive games. Then, Swindon were hit for seven in a 7-1 thrashing, with braces from Steve Watson, Rob Lee, Peter Beardsley and a first goal in black and white for new signing Ruel Fox, who signed from Norwich for £2.25m, a club record. That was then beaten by Darren Peacock, a £2.7m purchae from QPR in March. United wree looking good for a European place next season, sitting easily in third place behind Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers. They all but made sure of it by beating Liverpool again at Anfield, this time Cole and Lee got the goals. Cole then beat a club record by scoring his 40th goal of the season in all competitions in a 5-1 win against Aston Villa in April, previously held by Hughie Gallacher and George Robledo. United would also finish the season with the most goals scored in the Premiership that season. The season ended with a 2-0 win against Arsenal to ensure third place and a UEFA Cup place for the first time since 1977. Cole was named PFA Young Player of the Year to cap off a great start to the Premiership era for United.
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