12 memorable moments from first 30 years of the Premier League

There have been great goals and no shortage over controversy over the past three decades.

Great goals, major meltdowns and the plain bizarre have decorated three decades of Premier League football.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at 12 memorable moments since the league began in August 1992.

Kung-fu Cantona (January 1995)

Ferguson and CANTONA — Eric Cantona (left) pictured with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson after he had been sent off and launched a kick at a Crystal Palace fan in January 1995 (John Giles/PA)

Keegan meltdown (April 1996)

The Premier League title race between Manchester United and Newcastle was heading towards a thrilling climax when Alex Ferguson’s mind games got to Kevin Keegan. After Ferguson had suggested some opponents tried harder against United than they did Newcastle, Magpies boss Keegan delivered an epic rant, with the line “I’ll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it,” passing into football folklore. United went on to win the title by four points.

Beckham brilliance (August 1996)

A star was born on the opening day of the 1996-97 season when a 21-year-old David Beckham scored for Manchester United from inside his own half. With just seconds remaining at Selhurst Park, Beckham spotted Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan off his line and sent the ball sailing over him with the cleanest of strikes. It was some cherry on the top of a 3-0 win and the beginning of ‘Brand Beckham’, one of the biggest stars to grace the Premier League firmament.

Pushy Di Canio (September 1998)

Soccer/Shef Wed v Arsenal 4 — Paolo Di Canio (far left) was given an 11-game ban in 1998 for pushing referee Paul Alcock to the ground after being sent off for Sheffield Wednesday (Paul Barker/PA)

Arsenal Invincibles (2003-04)

Great teams have adorned the Premier League, from Manchester United’s 1998-99 Treble winners to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, and Liverpool and Manchester City in recent years. But only the ‘Arsenal Invincibles’ have completed a season unbeaten with Arsene Wenger’s side producing 26 wins and 12 draws in the 2003-04 campaign. By doing so, they matched the top-flight achievements of Preston who were undefeated in the 1888–89 season.

Keane v Vieira (February 2005)

Soccer – FA Carling Premiership – Arsenal v Manchester United – Highbury — Fierce competitors Roy Keane (left) and Patrick Vieira (right) were used to clashing when Manchester United played Arsenal (Sean Dempsey/PA)

Delia cooks up a storm (February 2005)

Beach Ball 1, Liverpool 0 (October 2009)

Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool were left deflated at Sunderland as Darren Bent scored with the help of a beach ball. The Liverpool branded ball had been thrown on to the pitch by a Reds fan and Bent’s shot deflected off it and past stunned goalkeeper Pepe Reina. The goal stood as referee Mike Jones thought Bent’s effort had gone in off a player and there was no VAR to rescue him.

Roo Beauty (February 2011)

Has there ever been a more spectacular Premier League goal? Just 12 minutes remained of a Manchester derby at Old Trafford when Nani’s cross took a slight deflection off the back of Pablo Zabaleta. Wayne Rooney had to reposition himself near the penalty spot before beating City’s England goalkeeper Joe Hart with an acrobatic overhead-kick. United’s 2-1 victory was the launchpad for a fourth Premier League title in five seasons.

‘Aguerooooo!’ (May 2012)

Gerrard slip (April 2014)

Soccer – Barclays Premier League – Liverpool v Chelsea – Anfield — Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard (left) is crestfallen after his costly slip in the 2013-14 title race (Peter Byrne/PA)

Leicester fairytale (2015-16)

Leicester City 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Champions Parade — Leicester’s squad celebrate winning the 2015-16 Premier League title (Nigel French/PA)