Eyal Berkovic's Iconic Performance Against Manchester United 30 Years Ago
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Israeli football star Eyal Berkovic led Southampton to a historic 6-3 victory over Manchester United on October 26, 1996, scoring two goals and providing three assists. The match, played 30 years ago, was a major upset against the reigning champions. Berkovic's standout performance is remembered as one of the greatest by an Israeli player abroad. Manchester United later won the league title that season, while Southampton avoided relegation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Eyal Berkovic scored two goals and had three assists in Southampton's 6-3 win over Manchester United.
- The historic match occurred exactly 30 years ago on October 26, 1996.
- The victory was a major upset against the reigning champions Manchester United.
- Berkovic's performance is considered one of the best by an Israeli player.
- Manchester United won the league title that season despite the loss.
- Southampton narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the season.
Exactly 30 years ago, on October 26, 1996, Israeli football legend Eyal Berkovic delivered one of the greatest individual performances by an Israeli player, leading his modest Southampton team to a stunning 6-3 victory over then-champions Manchester United. The match, played at The Dell stadium in front of 15,000 spectators, was a significant upset against Alex Ferguson's formidable side.
Manchester United, who were on their way to winning the league title that season, had previously played Southampton in February 1996, losing 3-1. That game was notable for United's infamous gray away kit, which was changed at halftime by Ferguson's order, though it did not prevent their eventual championship win.
In the 1996 match, Manchester United was in a poor run of form, having drawn four of their first nine games and suffering a humiliating 5-0 loss to Newcastle United in their previous outing. Berkovic, on loan to Southampton for the season, made an immediate impact in his fourth game for the club. He opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a rebound after his initial pass, and later assisted Matthew Le Tissier for the second goal. David Beckham pulled one back for United, but Berkovic set up Agil Ostenstad for Southampton's third goal before halftime, making it 3-1.
David May scored to narrow the deficit to 3-2, but Berkovic then scored a spectacular volley into the top corner, described by the English commentator as "Amazing! A stunning goal from the Israeli," extending Southampton's lead to 4-2 in the 83rd minute. He celebrated by running to the ecstatic crowd, hyping them up. Shortly after, Berkovic provided his third assist of the game to Ostenstad, who scored his second goal. Paul Scholes scored for United, but Phil Neville's own goal in stoppage time sealed the 6-3 victory for Southampton.
While Manchester United went on to win their 11th league title and Southampton narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 16th, the memorable performance by Berkovic and the surprising result remain etched in the memories of both clubs and especially the Israeli player.
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