If Twitter had been around for Kevin Keegan’s rant it might have looked something like this…

"I've kept really quiet but I'll tell you something, he went down in my estimation when he said that."

Sometimes things happen in this beautiful game and you know there and then that they are going to be remembered forever. April 29 1996. Newcastle United could have had their title race ended that Monday night in Leeds and Kevin Keegan cracked despite their 1-0 win. The Magpies closed the gap on United but, having already squandered a huge lead earlier in the season, it looked a lost cause and Keegan finally aired his grievances with counterpart Alex Ferguson. The United manager was heaping pressure on Newcastle, questioning the integrity of their upcoming opponents and poor Kevin couldn't take it anymore. You'd have thought he might've been in good spirits following such a crucial win shown on Sky Sports but, well, the rest is history. The world of social media and the idea of going viral didn't exist back then but, Christ, imagine if it did. Here's how that night 20 years ago would have went down.

1. Kevin Keegan chats to Richard Keys and Andy Gray after the game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yenzdq5g6o

2. Meanwhile, journalists are patiently awaiting Keegan's arrival at the press conference

They must've missed something. Don't worry, they'll soon be reminded. 3. Bookmakers are breaking the news to the journos instead https://twitter.com/StrattonBookies/status/725995908949749760 https://twitter.com/BlueSquareBook/status/725997422476943361

4. The journalists are growing very impatient

They're trying to figure out what's going on. Whatever's going on, they're not happy. Neither are the Twitter eggs.

5. Media outlets begin the scramble to break the news that broke five minutes ago

Online. In print. Everything bait.

6. The internet shows its best side at times like these

7. The internet shows its worst side at times like these

8. Memes are filling timelines

 

9. People get creative with their videos

From sad Keegan. https://twitter.com/WeLovePhilStamp/status/726037994076016640 This is the stuff of remix dreams. https://twitter.com/Football__LOLS/status/726042555662622720 Relevant blockbusters are reeled out to express the feeling of a nation. https://twitter.com/BlueSquareBook/status/726042854720720900 Not even Graham Taylor approves. https://twitter.com/Funny____Footy/status/726043166093271041 No mercy for Kevin. https://twitter.com/StrattonBookies/status/726043554699722752

10. A random Kevin Keegan is getting really pissed off

11. Someone cashed out. Someone always cashes out

12. A more analytical journalist puts forward a different school of thought, while simultaneously sucking the life out of the moment

13. Football people have their say

So do Twitter trolls. A young Rafa respects the balls. Exactly 19 years later, Nigel Pearson would be a victim himself. The team don't seem to mind anyway.

14. A staunch Geordie running the Newcastle account finally cracks

15. Newcastle fans are not happy

https://twitter.com/Funny____Footy/status/726092373781057536

16. Richard Keys is very happy though