Newcastle United: It was chaos in dressing room after Lee Bowyer vs Kieron Dyer fight in 2005

In terms of the most shocking incidents in Premier League history, the on-pitch fight between Newcastle United teammates Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer in April 2005 is right up there.

The pair exchanged blows in the middle of St James’ Park, three minutes after Aston Villa had taken a 3-0 lead against the Magpies, when Bowyer’s angry complaints that Dyer wouldn’t pass him the ball led to him being told: ‘The reason I don’t pass you the ball is because you’re f****** s***’.

Both players were shown straight red cards as Newcastle, managed by the fearsome Graeme Souness at the time, were reduced to nine men.

Players from both teams tried to break up the fight but got there too late. Punches were thrown, Bowyer’s shirt was ripped and the teammates were dismissed in disgrace.

“You don’t want to see that happen on the pitch, it’s only right to try and break it up,” Villa midfielder Gareth Barry said after the match, per BBC Sport.

“I’ve never seen it in a game I’ve been involved in, there was obviously a lot of frustration boiling over.

“If you look at the two players involved they just want to do everything to win the game. Both players lost their head and it’s unfortunate but I’m sure they regret it.” 

On this day 15 years ago, Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were both sent off for their infamous fight! #NUFC pic.twitter.com/D8JSXajxV9

Speaking years later on the True Geordie Podcast, Dyer revealed what happened afterwards inside the dressing room – and it was pure chaos.

“We’re still calling each other p****s, all sorts, and you hear the final whistle go,” Dyer recalled. “When you hear the studs in the tunnel, you can hear them coming. But there was just one set of studs *sprinting* up the tunnel.

“You’re thinking who the hell’s