The 1997-98 campaign was a season of dramatic, painful transition for Newcastle United, with The Magpies ultimately slumping to a deeply disappointing 13th-place finish in the Premier League after two seasons as runners-up, narrowly avoiding a relegation battle. This difficult domestic year, defined by the long-term absence of talisman Alan Shearer due to a horrific pre-season injury and the subsequent low goal tally, was momentarily illuminated by an unforgettable European adventure, highlighted by Faustino Asprilla's famous hat-trick in a thrilling 3-2 Champions League victory over Barcelona. Despite veteran John Barnes leading the league scoring chart with just 6 crucial goals, The Magpies also mounted an emotional run to the FA Cup Final at Wembley, securing a place in the Cup Winners' Cup in a season that definitively marked the end of the 'Entertainers' era.