Newcastle United are a club well known for wild celebrations, especially from the Gallowgate End when one of their players has found the back of the net. Alan Shearer’s famous hand-in-the-air celebration is one of many that are synonymous with St James’ Park.
With that said, Read Newcastle have decided on the six best goal celebrations in the club’s history. That includes forgotten names whose most memorable moment came when reacting to a goal.
Temuri Ketsbaia vs Bolton (1998)
Unfortunately, Ketsbaia will not be remembered for much else on Tyneside other than his eccentric goal celebration, in which he ripped his shirt off and started booting an advertising board.
In an interview with local newspaper The Chronicle, Ketsbaia spoke of his reasons for the celebration: “Every time I speak with someone they ask about this celebration.
“I scored a goal, I was happy to score a goal but I was not happy to not be playing and I was frustrated. It’s not a normal celebration, but I play with passion and all I wanted to do was play. It was not malicious.
“Now, looking back, as a coach I understand this is not the way that a player should behave. I wouldn’t be happy, but then I would admire the passion of the player.”
Les Ferdinand vs Man United (1996) – Alan Shearer’s reaction
Shearer was getting much schtick from the away corner at St James’ Park, even with Newcastle commanding a 2-0 lead at this point. Whilst being jeered on the ball, Shearer battled with Dennis Irwin before crossing into the box. His cross was met by Les Ferdinand, whose header went in off the bar – past Peter Schmeichel.
Whilst Les celebrated with his Newcastle teammates, such as Ginola and Peacock, our famous number nine celebrated towards the travelling Manchester United fans – mocking their booing and proving how choosing Newcastle was the right decision.
Alan Shearer vs Aston Villa (2001)
Not long before his iconic strike against Everton, Shearer scored from an acute angle courtesy of a pin point cross from Rob Lee. Shearer simply turned around with his arms raised and a glare which has stuck with me since I was young. The television coverage and commentary from ITV’s The Premiership gives it that extra nostalgic feeling as well.
Shola Ameobi’s second goal vs Sunderland (2010)
The demolition Derby of Halloween 2010 will live long in the memories of many Geordies, namely for Kevin Nolan’s hat-trick, Titus Bramble’s sending off and Shola “Mackem Slayer” Ameobi notching two of his seven career goals against Sunderland this day.
Whilst the first was a standard penalty (Note: Shola does not miss from the spot), the second came from a volleyed tap-in to an empty net after Andy Carroll had hit the bar.
Shola would do his iconic chest tap and jog to the Leazes End, with a roaring first pump at the corner flag, his name and number caught perfectly against the backdrop of Black and White by television cameras.
Jonas Gutierrez vs West Ham (2015)
In a season full of woes, protests, no investment, no ambition, another two defeats to Sunderland, nine defeats in ten games and a relegation battle, there was at long last a light at the end of the tunnel.
After months of suffering from being diagnosed with testicular cancer, chemotherapy, losing his famous locks of hair, and being told to find another club by then manager Alan Pardew, Jonas returned to full health and worked his way from the under-21s in December 2014 to scoring the winner to ensure Premier League safety for another season for Newcastle.
His goal celebration was a burst of passion, relief, adrenaline rushing, weeping, proving doubters wrong and months of hard work paying off, ripping his shirt off and cupping his ears towards controversial owner Mike Ashley in the stands.
His eight years, relentless work rate, and passion for Newcastle shall never be forgotten. Jonas will no doubt one day return to Newcastle and won’t ever have to pay for a pint of his beloved Guinness.
Bruno Guimaraes goal vs Brighton (2023)
Bruno Guimaraes has been Newcastle’s shining star during the Eddie Howe era. The Brazilian’s leadership earned him the club captaincy and there’s a reason he’s adored by the Gallowgate End.
When Guimaraes netted the final goal in his side’s 4-1 win over Brighton in May 2023, he paid tribute to a young boy named Arthur from Wallsend. He sadly had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia earlier in the year.
Guimaraes celebrated his goal by making the letter A for Arthur. He posted on social media afterwards:
This was for you, my young boy!! We are behind you! Everything will be alright.”
He then put up a picture of himself with Arthur and added: “You can beat this Arthur.”
Article edited by Matthew Guyett on 07/06/2026