FANS hailed Gary Lineker’s lethal trolling after he enjoyed a trip down ‘memory pain’ at Alan Shearer’s expense.
Prem record scorer Shearer never won a top honour in 10 years at Newcastle.
And when the two ex-England strikers were together in the BBC Match of the Day studio on FA Cup fourth-round day, Lineker went straight THERE…
Admittedly, it came on the day Newcastle fought back to oust League One Birmingham 3-2, albeit with a controversial goal.
But back in 2007 the story could not have been more different when the two sides met at St James’ Park in a round-three replay.
Toon cult hero Nolberto Solano even bagged an own goal as Brum triumphed 5-1, despite a reply from James Milner.
Birmingham netted three times after Steven Taylor saw red for the Magpies.
And Shearer’s MOTD colleague Shay Given was the Toon keeper that day.
Lineker showed a flashback clip from 18 years ago, when Shearer was an MOTD rookie after retiring as a player at the end of the previous season.
Beeb host Lineker was seen addressing grinning studio pundits.
Bruno N’Gotty netted as Brum won 5-1 at Newcastle 18 years ago[/caption]
The ex-Tottenham striker said: “No shortage of cup winners, though, in the studio.
“Alan Hansen with Liverpool, Lee Dixon with Arsenal and… Alan Shearer, who went close a couple of times with Newcastle.”
Lineker mocked Shearer for being “really confident” Newcastle would beat Birmingham back then – and for always predicting his old club were set for glory.
He said to the 260-goal Prem marksman at the time: “I suppose this would be typical if this is the year they go and do it, now you’ve retired?”
Shearer admitted ruefully: “I’ve been saying it for the past 10, 11, 12 years – this might just be our year.”
MOTD then returned to live coverage, with gleeful viewers suggesting “Lineker never misses a chance!” to taunt pal Shearer.
One reckoned the ex-Barcelona ace delivered a “straight bullet”.
And another fan twisted the knife by saying of Shearer: “He never won anything at Newcastle that’s for sure unless he played for them in the 60s.”
By this stage, Given might have thought he’d escaped stick – for being between the sticks for the 5-1 humiliation.
However, Shearer then joked Birmingham’s triumph was “only because Shay was in goal”.
Given said, “Don’t look at me, lads!” – before adding: “I know, I know – I can’t remember!”
One viewer responded: “Some things never change! Shearer taking Ls even off the pitch, and Shay caught in the crossfire.”
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