7 Amazing Teenage Moments In The Premier League
19.October 2021 by Joseph Taylor
7 Amazing Teenage Moments In The Premier League
Here at CardsPlug, we’re all about dreaming big. So we’ve gathered 7 of the most amazing teenage moments in Premier League history.
These memories are enough to inspire any football fan dreaming of stardom. And enough to make older football fans feel some nostalgia! Let’s start with a goal that started something truly magical.
Wayne Rooney vs Arsenal 2002
“The biggest English talent I’ve seen.” That’s what Arsene Wenger had to say after his Arsenal side got ‘Rooneyed’ in October 2002.
The Gunners side were on a 30 game unbeaten run going into this game. And with a side featuring stars like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, everybody thought they’d keep it going.
Except for one small issue. With ten minutes to play, Everton’s manager David Moyes called Rooney from the bench.
And shortly after, Rooney’s iconic turn and shot in the 90th minute crashed in off the crossbar. Leaving David Seaman for dead and starting Rooney’s rise to the top of world football. Not bad for a 16 year old!
Robbie Fowler Bags 3 In 4 Minutes
Speaking of Arsenal’s troubles with young strikers from Merseyside, Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler was ripping the league to shreds well before he turned 20.
A classic part of Fowler’s rise to the top was his incredible hat-trick against Arsenal when he was just 19 years old.
Under the late August sun at Anfield, Fowler destroyed Arsenal’s famous defence of Seaman, Adams, and Keown. By scoring 3 goals in the space of 4 minutes and 33 seconds.
All in all, Fowler would bag 9 Premier League hat-tricks at clubs like Leeds and Manchester City. In fact, only Sergo Aguero and Alan Shearer have scored more trebles in the league’s history. Not bad company at all!
Michael Owen Makes Hat-Trick History
A lot’s happened since Michael Owen was at his frightening best. And it’s easy to forget just how good he was.
Before he turned 19, Owen was joint top-scorer in both the 97/98 and 98/99 Premier League seasons. Making him the youngest player to win or share the Golden Boot.
In February 1998, he also became the youngest player to score a Premier League hat-trick. As he bagged 3 goals against Sheffield Wednesday at just 18 years and 62 days old.
By the time he turned 19, Owen took home two further match balls. And a few years later, he became the youngest player to reach 100 Premier League goals at just 23.
Seriously. How much would a 19 year old Owen go for in today’s transfer market?
What stats would an 18 year old Michael Owen get? Here’s what we think Owen’s One To Watch (OTW) card could look like.
Alan Smith Silences Anfield
Picture the scene. It’s November 1998. You’re making your Premier League debut. Away at Anfield. Playing for your local club.
At 1-0 down, the boss calls you up from the bench. And with your first touch, you score a lovely equaliser to silence one of the world’s most famous stadiums. Even better, your team go on and win the game 2-1.
Too good to be true? It happened for Alan Smith at Leeds.
The bleach blond striker went on to star in the Leeds side that reached the Champions League semi finals in 2001. Before making the risky move across the Pennines to Man United a couple of years later.
Injuries cut his career short in the end. But boy was he good.
Rashford Runs The Show Against Arsenal
It seems like Marcus Rashford has been around forever. Which makes it easy to forget the England star is still in his early 20s.
Back in 2016, 18 year-old Rashford burst onto the scene with a brace on his Premier League debut. Giving Louis Van Gall’s side a 3-2 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Rashford was used sparingly for the rest of his debut season. But fast forward to today and he’s arguably England’s most recognisable footballer.
Well, I guess everybody’s got to start somewhere. Rashford just happened to start with a match-winning brace against one of United’s biggest rivals.
Danny Rose Scores A Howitzer On Debut
Games don’t get much bigger than the North London derby. So you could probably forgive Tottenham’s Danny Rose for being nervous on his Spurs debut.
Instead, the 19 year-old delivered a classic under the lights at White Hart Lane. As just ten minutes in, Rose’s ludicrous half-volley went straight into the Premier League’s best ever goals.
Danny’s stunner set Spurs up for a famous 2-1 win over their biggest rivals. Rose’s career has been pretty frustrating in the years since. But no one can take that glorious April night in 2010 away from him.
By the way, I don’t know if you’ve noticed. But if there’s one piece of advice to take from this blog… it’s to play your young players against Arsenal!
Cristiano Announces Himself
We’ve got our 20/20 hindsight goggles firmly on here. But we’ve probably gone and saved the best for last.
In 2003, Man United fans were wondering what life after David Beckham would look like. Especially when his famous number 7 shirt was given to an unknown kid from Madeira.
That all changed on the first day of the 2003/04 season. As Alex Ferguson unleashed Cristiano Ronaldo on the Premier League.
Bolton had done well to hold United to 0-0 before Ronaldo’s introduction in the 61st minute. But what came next shocked everyone.
Right from the word go, Ronaldo mesmerized with stepovers, flicks, and an incredible air of confidence. By the end of the game, it was 4-0 to United. Ronaldo had changed the game - and a few years later, he’d dominate world football. What a player. What a debut!
