After bringing Ferguson to Newcastle, manager Ruud Gullit was rewarded when Ferguson scored twice on his debut against Wimbledon in the Premier League. The final result was a 3–1 victory to Newcastle. Ferguson subsequently suffered an injury and played only seven times in the 1998–99 season. This included a substitute appearance in the 1999 FA Cup Final, which Newcastle lost to Manchester United. His extended absence lasted from late December until April. Likewise, Ferguson was injured in the first half of the 1999–2000 season, and was unable to play in the last seven league matches of the season. His final appearance came in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to eventual winners Chelsea.