You again? Nemesis forward with 15 goals tops five rivals who give Newcastle nightmares
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They say that some players enjoy playing against other sides more than others - unfortunately for Newcastle United, it is usually them being punished.
The Magpies have been constantly tormented by a number of opposition stars throughout the seasons, and when one man hangs his boots up from haunting the Toon Army, another one seems to step into his place and pick up the mantle.
Yes, Newcastle might have had a number of stars who inflicted the same punishment on their rivals - Shola Ameobi and Sunderland for example - but to those on Tyneside, it will certainly feel as though they are on the receiving end of another team's star more often than not.
Here, Football Insider has picked out the five stars who have given the Newcastle faithful nightmares throughout the years, including two men who used to ply their trade at St James' Park and others who have scored at a rate of over a goal per game against the Magpies.
Click below to check out the list, starting with a man who went on to haunt the club after leaving...
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5. Andy Cole
Games v Newcastle: 20 - Goals: 11 - Assists: 1
A man Newcastle knew all too well, Cole did not let his cult hero status at St James' Park from stopping him starring against the Magpies and tormenting them to no end.
He actually had not played against the north east side prior to joining in 1994, but after netting 47 goals in 61 appearances on Tyneside, he made the move to Manchester United - which is where the pain began.
As if it was not bad enough for the Toon Army seeing their former star forward turning out for their fierce rivals, he also proceeded to score with consummate ease - the highlight (or lowlight for Newcastle fans) of his matches against them the 5-1 thrashing in 1999, in which he scored four times.
Thankfully for the Geordies, he did not keep up his record after leaving Old Trafford, netting once for both Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City before hanging up his boots.
Click below for number four on the list - featuring another man wearing red...
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4. Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Games v Newcastle: 10 - Goals: 11 - Assists: 2
Another man at Old Trafford who terrorised Newcastle throughout his career, Van Nisterooy has scored more goals against the Magpies than any other club during his career.
With a ratio of just over a goal per game, the Dutch hitman was lethal whenever faced up against the black and white stripes, and only failed to score in two games in which he played versus the north east side.
His personal highlight against Newcastle would have to be his hat trick scored in the thrilling 5-3 encounter played in the north west back in 2002, while he also broke the Toon Army's hearts with a brace in the semi final stage of the FA Cup, Manchester United picking up a 4-1 win.
Click below for number three on the list - a man Newcastle fans love to hate...
3. Michael Owen
Games v Newcastle: 11 - Goals: 13 - Assists: 0
It seems ironic that Michael Owen might be disliked more for his time at Newcastle rather than all the times he played - and scored - against them, but it just goes to show just how much he has frustrated the Toon Army during his playing career.
Like Van Nistelrooy, the former Liverpool man scored more goals against the Magpies than other other side aside from West Ham, although he took 17 games to score 13 against the Hammers, as opposed to a mere 11 matches versus his future side.
All of his goals, and all but one of his appearances, came for Liverpool, and 11 of his goals came over a five game stretch, including a pair of hat tricks in both 1998 and 2001, and he never lost a game against the Magpies.
His 13 goals mean that he actually scored half the amount of league goals against Newcastle as he did for the club - although it took him 71 outings to net his 26.
Click below for number two on the list - a man who has probably made grown men cry...
2. Sergio Aguero
Games v Newcastle: 12 - Goals: 14 - Assists: 3
Unfortunately for Newcastle, unlike the previous names on this list, Aguero is still playing, and although he has had his injury problems in the past, he always finds a way to net another couple against them.
Whatever he might have against the Toon Army, with an evident personal vendetta against the club, they might want to find out and fix things immediately, for he always ups his game whenever the Magpies are around.
He has only failed to net against Newcastle in three matches, even scoring when making seven minute cameos, and his name is one which will make the Newcastle faithful shudder in fear.
The Argentine star's top highlight is without a doubt the five goals he scored in the 6-1 drubbing back in 2015, running riot against Steve McLaren's men - who had actually taken the lead at the Etihad Stadium.
His most recent outing saw him net a hat trick back in January 2018 - and Newcastle fans will be hoping they find a way to stop him come the 2018/19 campaign.
Click below for the number one tormentor of Newcastle...
1. Wayne Rooney
Games v Newcastle: 26 - Goals: 15 - Assists: 9
While Rooney might have played significantly more games against Newcastle than any other name on this list, his record is still exceptional.
Whether for Everton or Manchester United, he has been a constant thorn in the side of the Magpies, and when he is not scoring the goals, he is setting them up, having picked up nine assists in addition to his 15 goals.
If there is a saving grace for the Toon Army, it is that they have never let Rooney, unlike the other four names on the list, leave with the match ball as a result of a hat trick.
His highlight therefore would have to be the stunning first time volley he rifled in from 30 yards back in 2005 - a sublime strike which will remain on the highlight reels for years to come.
His record against Newcastle does not look like stopping either, having netted the winner in Evertons 1-0 win at St James' Park in December 2017.
In other Newcastle United news, there could be a shock survivor in a major cull over one position this summer.