The 10 Greatest Premier League Debuts of All Time

Image via Complex UK

Fixture: Sheffield Wednesday 3 Tottenham Hotspur 4

Date: August 20th 1994

Spurs was a club in disarray at the start of the 1994/95 season. The FA had imposed a six point deduction in the Premier League and a ban from that year's FA Cup following financial irregularities in club payments to players. The signing of German international Jürgen Klinsmann brought a glimmer of hope to a dejected corner of North London.

Klinsmann started in style, heading home a superb winner in a thrilling season opener against Sheffield Wednesday. The goal prompted one of the most talked-about celebrations in Premier League history, with Klinsmann's theatrical 'dive' across the turf acting as a swipe at British journalists who had made much of his theatrical reputation in Europe. He ended the season with 29 goals in 50 games.

Fixture: Coventry City 2 Derby County 0

Date: August 21st 1999

Despite hitting more than 60 international goals and playing for clubs including Spurs, Liverpool and Inter Milan, there's still a nagging feeling that Robbie Keane underachieved in his career. At one point he was the hottest property in Europe and his debut for Coventry City justified his then-hefty £6 million pricetag.

The Irish hitman had been a big hit for Wolves in Division One and a goal in either half against Derby County on his Premier League debut indicated that he could hang with the big boys. In 2000, Keane moved to Inter Milan for £13 million (becoming Europe's most expensive teenage signing) but failed to settle, scoring just three goals in 14 games.

Fixture: Manchester United 4 Bolton 0

Date: August 16th 2003

Much was expected of Cristiano Ronaldo, who had just signed for United as an 18-year-old for little over £12m. David Beckham departed United that same summer and Ronaldo was given the hallowed no. 7 shirt at Old Trafford, confirming his status as Fergie's new hope.

Ronaldo made his debut as a 60th minute sub against Bolton, a season opener that saw United crawling to a 1-0 win. Thirty minutes and 1,001 stepovers later, United had won the game 4-0 and Ronaldo was given the Man of the Match award. Old Trafford legend George Best had said after the performance that “there have been a few players described as ‘the new George Best’ over the years, but this is the first time it’s been a compliment to me.”

Fixture: Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 2

Date: April 5th 2009

Here's a final reminder that a dream debut doesn't guarantee you a hall of fame career. Federico Macheda was a serial goalscoer at academy level for Man United and the 17-year-old's debut represented a final throw of the dice from Sir Alex Ferguson, who was witnessing his side's grasp on the Premier League title slip away as they trailed Aston Villa at home.

In injury time, Macheda curled home a glorious winner to give United a crucial 3-2 win and put them ahead of Liverpool in the title race with just a few games to play. Macheda hailed the day as the greatest of his life and unfortunately, it didn't get much better. Macheda scored just four more goals in the following five years – scattered between several loan spells in the lower leagues – before finally making a permanent switch to Cardiff in the summer of 2014.

Fixture: Manchester City 4 Swansea City 0

Date: August 15th 2011

Sergio Aguero was the spark that lit Manchester City's title challenege. The Argentinian joined City from Atletico Madrid and earned intstant hero status at the Etihad with a showstealing cameo against Premier League newboys Swansea City.

Two goals from Aguero, including a stunning 30-yard dipping drive, and some elegant link-up play with City's ultra talented midfield allayed any fears that he was too small to succeed in England. Ten months and 23 league goals later, he'd driven City to the Premier League title.