With the Premier League set to hopefully return next month, we thought we'd look back at some of the league's most memorable moments!
Here's some of the most iconic goals, games and celebrations...
AGUEROOOOO!
On the final day of the 2011/12 season, Manchester United were top of the table awaiting the result of the QPR vs Manchester City game after just beating Sunderland. Both Manchester clubs had both won, drawn and lost the same number of games, however City were just ahead on goal differences. All City had to do was beat QPR, a relegation threatened team, and the title would be theirs. However, all ideas of an easy title win went out the window after QPR went 2-1 up in the second half. The clock reached 90 and City were still behind when 4 minutes of injury time was added. In the 92nd minute Edin Dzeko gave City a glimmer of hope with a goal, but they still needed another to grasp the title. With the final few seconds ticking away, Aguero received the ball in the penalty area and struck one of the most iconic goals in Premier League history.
Shearer: Record Maker
Alan Shearer broke numerous records during his illustrious career in the Premier League. When he moved from Southampton to Blackburn in 1992, the club paid a then British record of £3.3m for the striker. In the summer of 1996, he joined Newcastle United for (a then) World record £15 million. Shearers ability to score numerous wonder goals, not only made him a fan favourite for Newcastle fans, but ensured his place in the record books. Shearer scored his 260th and final Premier League goal for Newcastle against Sunderland on 17 April 2006- a record that still stands today. No player in the Premier League has been able to get within 50 goals of Shearers incredible total.
Kung-Fu Fighting....
“My best moment? I have a lot of good moments but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan.” Arguably the most shocking moment in Premier League history. In 1995, Manchester United were playing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. After getting red carded for kicking a Palace player, Eric Cantona received abuse from a spectator in the crowd. Instead of making his way to the bench, he swiftly jumped into the stands and attempted to "kung-fu" kick the fan. Cantona received a nine month ban for the act.
Leicester's Fairy Tale Moment
The biggest underdog story within the English premier League. Leicester were 5,000-1 outsiders to win the League at the beginning of the 2015/16 season, after barely surviving relegation the year prior. The club only lost three of their league games and with other top teams not able to keep up, the Foxes were crowned champions for the first time in the club's 132-year history.
Beckham's Halfway Line Goal
The moment David Beckham rocketed himself into stardom. Beckham himself wrote in his autobiography "I couldn’t have known it then, but that moment was the start of it all: the attention, the press coverage, the fame”. On the first game of the 1996/97 season, 21 year old Beckham spotted the Wimbledon keeper off his line and decided to shoot from inside his own half- the result will forever be etched in football fans memories.
"I Am A Special One"
When Jose Mourinho was unveiled as Chelsea manager in 2004, he famously said "Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one." Many quickly branded Mourinho as cocky and doubted his ability to bring any silverware to Stamford Bridge. Years later, with over 25 trophies won during his managerial career including three Premier League titles with Chelsea, it's hard to disagree with his statement of being special...
The Invincibles
During the 2003/04 season, Arsenal FC made history by becoming the first team to go unbeaten in the Premier League! Arsenal's incredible title winning team played 38 league matches, in which they won 26 games and drew 12. The squad (who included Henry, Pires, Bergkamp and Vieira) topped the table with 90 points, which was 11 points clear of their closest rivals at the time; Chelsea FC. The Invicibles team also hold the record for the longest unbeaten run in Premier League history- 49 games.
Rooney's Bicycle Kick
Rooney's iconic goal was scored during Manchester United's 2-1 win against arch rivals Manchester City during the 2010/11 season. The team went onto win the Premier League that same season. When asked about Rooney's goal, Sir Alex Ferguson said it was prehaps the best goal he'd seen at Old Trafford- "We've had some fantastic goals here but in terms of execution, you'll never see that." Rooney also believes that this was his best career goal.
Keegan's Infamous Rant
In 1996, the race towards the title was in full force. Newcastle United were only three points behind leaders Manchester United after beating Leeds and had a few games still to play. Before the game, Alex Ferguson had suggested teams like Nottingham Forest might not try as hard against Keegan's team as they did against United. Because of this, Keegan went on one of the most iconic rants in Premier League history in his post game interview- "You can tell him now, we're still fighting for this title and he's got to go to Middlesbrough and get something - and I'll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it,” Unfortunately for him, Newcastle drew 1-1 with Forest and Manchester United went on to win the title.
Farewell Sir Alex Ferguson
Easily considered the greatest Premier League manager and possibly the best manager in all of football. But in 2013, Sir Alex decided to end his spell at United and retire from the game. During his 26 years with Manchester United he won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles. On his final game in charge, he lifted his 13th Premier League trophy.