Kevin Keegan's famous "I will love it if we beat them" rant spelt out the inevitable.
Keegan had lost it - and the majority of players knew it at the time.
We blew a 12-point lead because of a horror injury to Keith Gillespie at Old Trafford; a freak defeat to Man Utd at St James' Park; and the introduction of Tino Asprilla that proved too little time to get a partnership going with Les Ferdinand.
We threw away points - Man Utd didn't!
And Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini probably cannot remember the outcome back in those days when he was playing in the Italian League ... but someone should point it out to him.
He is feeling the same stresses Keegan endured during his Newcastle side's loss of form towards the end of the 1995-96 season.
City are second in the Premier League behind leaders Manchester United, despite at one time leading by seven points.
United's ability to put together title-sealing runs of form seems to have been replicated again this season.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men have collected 25 league points out of a possible 27 since mid-January, the only draw being the thrilling 3-3 comeback when 3-0 down against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
In contrast, recent form makes somewhat grim reading for City. Since a 0-0 draw away to West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day, they have suffered defeats to Sunderland, Manchester United, Everton and Swansea.
Rob Lee: "I remember it well. I try not to.
"We had been in very good form, right up until Christmas. Everyone just presumed the title race was over.
"We had a lot of pace and had some fantastic players who could score plenty.
"We weren't great at the back as everybody knew. We let goals in but we knew we could score more than other people.
"There's no better feeling in sport than going into training having played well and won on Saturday.
"The fans were happy, the manager was happy and the players were all buzzing.
"Confidence breeds confidence, and it's the same if you're losing - a losing side just carries it on, and you feel you can't get out of it.
"I think Manchester City are very similar. In the first half of this season they scored loads of goals and attacked a lot. They're in a bit of a slump at the moment, and Manchester United are absolutely relentless.
"Manchester United didn't win games like we did. We were winning 4-3 and 3-2. We looked at the scores and United were winning 1-0 every week.
"Carlos Tevez is a world-class player. If his attitude is correct then there is no problem. If I was Man City manager I would use every resource to try to win that league title.
"At the start of the season I said that Man City would win the league. I still have a strange feeling that they will. They have such a strong squad, with an abundance of players.
"City, in their favour, have that huge derby game ahead of them.
"They know it's at home and they know they can win it.
"City have to beat Chelsea and they have to stay within two or three points of United. Then that game takes on a massive significance.
"At St James' Park we played Man Utd off the park. Peter Schmeichel was unbelievable for them in goal, and you didn't see Eric Cantona all game until he scored with probably his only kick.
"They beat us, and that was a major blow. Even if we had drawn that game I think we would have gone on to win the title.
"You don't realise at the time that we could have made history.
"We would have been in Geordie folklore for many, many years. As players we presumed we would come back the next season and we'd still be fighting for the title. But that never happened.
"When you're in the midst of it all you don't realise, but now I'm older I look back at it and think we had a great opportunity to become legends.
"That's the biggest regret of my career.
"I wish we had won it."