I loved Steve McMahon. He hit a real purple patch when he was top of his game and almost had a Souness swagger about him. That performance against Arsenal epitomised him during that period.
I still cherish the autograph my mates got him to sign on a match programme for me, 'All the best you Geordie bastard from Steve McMahon'. Term of endearment of course.
I remember not being happy that we’d signed him - not sure why, it might have been the Everton connection. I spent about 2 years trying to convince myself he wasn’t good enough, not fit to lace Souness’ boots. I had to admit eventually that I was wrong. Very much so.
That 87-90 side were blessed with some incredible players, but were also a fantastically balanced team .. he made it all tick. He was awesome, even if he wasn’t quite Graeme Souness