Ten other notable goals players have scored against former employers.
There is no doubting what the big story of the weekend in the Premier League was – Frank Lampard’s late equaliser for Manchester City against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, with Lampard bagging against the club where he spent 13 huge years and became the all-time leading goalscorer.
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Lampard is far from the first player to come back and haunt their former employers with a crucial goal, however – here are ten other memorable examples
Robin van Persie vs. Arsenal
Having made the controversial move from the Emirates Stadium to Old Trafford in 2012, Robin van Persie took little more than three minutes to make his mark when facing the Gunners for the first time. The Dutchman capitalised on a Thomas Vermaelen error at Old Trafford to lash home and set United on their way to a crushing victory that seemed to vindicate van Persie’s decision.
Glen Johnson vs. Chelsea
Kenny Dalgish’s second spell as Liverpool manager won’t be particularly fondly remembered by the Anfield faithful – but one of the few great moments came in a home game against Chelsea, where right back Glen Johnson found himself in on goal in the 87th minute to secure three points against his former club in 2011.
Nicolas Anelka vs. Liverpool
Having enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Anfield, it was some surprise when Reds manager Gerard Houllier turned down the opportunity to sign now controversial striker Nicolas Anelka, instead plumping for El-Hadji Diouf. Anelka moved to Manchester City instead and came back to haunt Houllier, scoring both goals for City in a 2-1 win at Anfield in 2003.
Emmanuel Adebayor vs. Arsenal
Perhaps the most memorable of any goal on this list, Emmanuel Adebayor’s headed goal for Manchester City against Arsenal in 2009 lead to one of the iconic Premier League moments – Adebayor sprinted the length of the pitch and slid on his knees in front of the Gunners fans who had been taunting him, provoking a furious reaction from the traveling support at the Etihad Stadium.
Denis Law vs. Manchester United
The most memorable example of this phenomenon for any older football fan – Denis Law’s goal for Manchester City against the club where he was a legend, local rivals United, went down in folklore. With the two sides meeting on the final day of the season, United needed a result to stay in the top flight – but were condemned to defeat by a late Law backheel. The striker described himself as having been “inconsolable” after scoring against his old club.
Adam Johnson vs. Manchester City
Adam Johnson’s Manchester City career always promised more than it actually delivered, but the fleet-footed winger came back to haunt his old club when Sunderland picked up one in a serious of home wins against the current Premier League champions, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 Black Cats victory in 2012.
Mario Gotze vs. Borussia Dortmund
An example from the continent, here. Playmaker Mario Gotze reportedly trained in the tunnel ahead of his return to Signal Iduna Park after ditching Dortmund for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2013, so intense was the atmosphere that greeted him, but Gotze had the last laugh, scoring the crucial first goal in a 3-0 Bayern victory.
Aaron Ramsey vs. Cardiff City
It is common for a player not to celebrate a goal against a former club – but this show of respect isn’t often mutual. It was when Aaron Ramsey returned to boyhood club Cardiff City in 2013/14, however, scoring twice to help send the Bluebirds on the path to relegation but receiving a standing ovation whilst doing so.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Manchester United
A bona fide Old Trafford legend, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to his old stomping ground to face United in the Champions League knock-out stages in 2013 and, predictably, found the net – but the Portuguese superstar refused to celebrate out of respect for his former side.
Marco Reus vs. Borussia Monchengladbach
Having spent 12 years with Borussia Monchengladbach, it was an emotional day for German forward Marco Reus when he returned to face them for the first time after moving down the road to Dortmund – it didn’t take long for Reus to score a screamer, however, and he added a second soon after.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs. Inter Milan
As one of few players to play for both Milan clubs, legendary Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic got to feel what it’s like to score in a derby after making the move when he found the net for Milan against Inter in the fierce cauldron of a Milanese clash at the San Siro.