The first game at the sparkly new Wembley stadium could have been a damp squib and disappointment. However, this young Italian lad had other ideas. During England and Italy's showpiece Under-21 match, the Serie A starlet bagged a hat-trick no one will ever forget…….for a couple of years at least.
29. Villarreal 0 Real Madrid 5
Everyone was keen to see this new free-flowing Real Madrid side face a proper test after the arrival of attack-minded Schuster, in place of the defensive England gaffer-to-be, Capello. They had bagged a couple of half-decent early season wins, but visiting a Villarreal side that hadn't lost since March was a different prospect. After weathering the proverbial early storm, a Wesley Sneijder-inspired Real outfit smashed five past The Yellow Submarine and made Europe sit up and take notice.
28. Afonso Alves bags seven v Heracles
No one had even heard of Afonso Alves before the end of last season – not even the Brazilian media, evidently – but Europe is keeping their eyes out now. You would think scoring over thirty goals for lowly Eredivisie outfit, Heerenveen would be his year's highlight, but oh no, that was to come at the start of the following season when he scored an insane seven goals in one match against Heracles.
27. Copa America final shock
Argentina were beyond stunning in the Copa America and many predicted them to embarrass fierce rivals, Brazil in the final. Unfortunately for them it was the other way round. GO ON, BEASTY!
26. Henry breaks Platini record
After his mildly surprising departure from the Arsenal, Thierry Henry has had an inconsistent spell at Barcelona. However, his club form to international form ratio took a more even turn this year as he overtook Michel Platini to become France's all-time record goalscorer.
25. Messi goal in Copa America
Lionel Messi is a pimp amongst mere prostitutes, and the Copa America showcased his unbelievable talents once again. Mexico were doing well throughout the competition, but as soon as they met Leo it was over.
24. Pedro Lopez goal for Vallodolid v Real
Real Madrid were flying at the start of this season and it needed something special to even gain a point off them. Pedro Lopez agreed….
23. Riquelme's World Cup qualifying free-kicks
He may be a moody, arrogant fuck of a human being, but Juan Roman Riquelme can still be one of the finest individual talent's in the world on his day. Argentina are glad they have him in their quest to qualify for South Africa.
22. Theo's first goal in Carling final
They may have lost the final thanks to Drogba ruining Senderos yet again, but Arsene Wenger's youngsters dominated a full strength Chelsea side for the opening thirty minutes in Cardiff last February, and the spell was highlighted by the much-hyped Theo Walcott's first goal for The Gunners.
21. Arsenal 2 Man Utd 1
The Prem champions-to-be visited The Emirates for the first time, a mere 24 hours after Liverpool had helped them out by beating nearest rivals, Chelsea at Anfield. They went one-up through Rooney and looked like bagging the points before an 83rd minute RVP strike. 1-1 seemed fair until Thierry Henry had his final glory moment in red and white.
20. Liverpool v Chelsea CL semi
If this was a normal Prem game then we would all be complaining about the pair stinking up the joint, but the occasion made this absolutely engaging stuff, wrapped up by a dramatic penalty shoot-out to send Liverpool towards Athens tears.
19. Tevez at Old Trafford for WHM
Was he legal? Probably not. But did he inspire West Ham to Prem status? Hell yes. This was Carlos Tevez's swansong and job application.
18. Dida at Celtic
What a cunt.
17. Portsmouth 7 Reading 4
When you are at the footy and you've missed a game like this on SOCCER SATURDAY……….with Kammy at the game, you thank someone for YouTube.
16. Mancini v Lyon
Before their capitulation at Old Trafford, Roma looked decent in the Champions League. Mancini's goal at the Stade Gerland was unreal and they can always remember last season's campaign for this, I guess.
15. Adebayor v Tottenham
Inconsistent, awkward and annoying, but Emmanuel Adebayor has still scored the best goal of the season thus far.
14. West Ham 3 Spurs 4
Andy Gray's, "oh no" when the stoppage time winner went in summed it all up. Of course, we didn't know what was to come in West Ham's quest for survival, but at the time it felt like even a good day at the office would end in defeat.
13. Liverpool 3 Arsenal 6
Just three days after the surprise FA Cup win, Arsenal visited Anfield again in the Carling Cup. Ninety minutes later and the famous stadium's fans had seen the most shocking home defeat in their lifetime. All hail, BEAST!
12. Robinho dribble
When I first saw this I just couldn't believe what he had done. Probably the most selfish mainstream footballer on the planet, but he's clearly an outstanding talent. This was so good that people forget who scored. Can you guess?
11. Sheff Utd 1 Wigan 2
Awful YouTube clip below, but I'm sure you all remember the drama of this day. Carlos Tevez grabbed the headlines the next day, but everyone knows it was all about what was happening at Brammal Lane. The shot of Jewell and Warnock at the end will live long in the memory, but a word for David Unsworth too, who produced the goods when it was required of him.
