Everton’s trip to Old Trafford on Sunday saw 2 strikers going up against their former clubs. Wayne Rooney got a warm reception from the Manchester United faithful while the Everton crowd were not so kind towards Romelu Lukaku, although he ended up having the last laugh. Lukaku spent 4 seasons at Everton (1 on loan and 3 permanent) and was a prolific goal-scorer. Hence, a crowd favourite.
Against his old club on Sunday, he was booed and jeered by Everton fans throughout the game and I suppose that’s what got to him in the end. When the Belgian’s free kick hit the wall, the visiting fans celebrated but Lukaku scored through the rebound that was drilled into the box. Lukaku ran towards the Everton fans cupping his ear.
Although many fans on social media called the act disrespectful and outrageous, I feel it’s a personal choice for players to not celebrate scoring against their old teams considering all the emotions, especially if you have spent a long time at that club.
So here we take a look at players who celebrated scoring against their former teams in England.
1. GLEN JOHNSON (Liverpool vs Chelsea)
English right back Glen Johnson was sold by Chelsea as he was deemed surplus to requirements. I guess he always had that on his mind, trying to prove a point to his former employees. And when these sides met at Stamford Bridge in 2011, he scored against Chelsea and celebrated with his new teammates.
2. JAMES MILNER (Liverpool vs Manchester City)
At a time when Manchester City were buying star players left, right and center, James Milner was left to substitute appearances. A versatile player who could operate in any midfield position, Milner finally moved to Liverpool to fulfill his desire to play central midfield. When the sides met at Anfield in 2016, he scored and his celebration was probably vented out his frustration.
3. EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR (Manchester City vs Arsenal)
Adebayor was a powerful striker, similar to the Drogba mould. However, the fans were not in favor of his work ethics and temperament. He made a big money move to City and in 2009 at Etihad, all hell broke loose once he scored that goal. He ran across the length of the pitch and did a slide in front of the Arsenal fans in the away section. He even justified his action because of the abuse he received from the Arsenal fans!
4. ROBIN VAN PERSIE (Manchester United vs Arsenal)
At the end of his 8 year stay at Arsenal, RVP became one of the deadliest strikers in the Premier League, with a magical left foot. So when he joined Manchester United (where he dreamt of winning the PL), the Arsenal fans were disappointed. Although he didn’t celebrate scoring against them at The Emirates, he couldn’t hold himself back at Old Trafford in 2013, when he scored a headed goal off a Rooney corner. The boos from the fans continued but that didn’t deter the man.
5. DANNY WELBECK (Arsenal vs Manchester United)
Danny Welbeck spent a total of 13 years at Manchester United as a wide forward. He was well utilized by Sir Alex Ferguson but when Louis Van Gaal arrived at United, he was sold to Arsenal with fans angry over selling a loyal player to their club rivals. In 2015 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, he scored the winner and followed it with a modest celebration.
6. DAVID LUIZ (PSG vs Chelsea)
David Luiz spent 3 seasons at Chelsea and was a fan favourite as he scored quite a few key goals. He joined PSG in a big money deal and came back to haunt his old club at Stamford Bridge in 2015 in the Champions League. He scored a thumping header that knocked Chelsea out of the cup and this time his emotions took the better of him.
7. KEVIN NOLAN (Newcastle United vs Bolton Wanderers)
Kevin Nolan is known for his time at Bolton until he made a switch to Newcastle United. When both the sides met in 2011, Nolan scored a goal and followed it by one of the strangest celebrations ever! He did a chicken dance, flapping his arms like wings.
8. DARREN BENT (Sunderland vs Tottenham)
After spending a couple of frustrating seasons with the Spurs, the talented striker Darren Bent left for Sunderland. When these sides met at the Stadium of Light in 2010, Bent scored twice and celebrated by running across the Spurs fans.
9. ALAN SHEARER (Newcastle United vs Blackburn)
Although Alan Shearer won the Premier League with Blackburn, he became a legend of the game during his time at Newcastle United. He is currently the all time top scorer in the Premier League, with 260 club goals. When these sides clashed back in 1998, he scored against Blackburn and ran off to celebrate the goal.
10. CARLOS TEVEZ (Manchester City vs Manchester United)
Carlos Tevez enjoyed great success at United and along with Rooney & Ronaldo, they formed a deadly trio. However, in 2009 he joined cross town rivals City, a move which instantly made him a traitor with the Red Devils faithful. And when he scored against United in 2010, he ran across the United fans mocking them, cupping his ears.
11. WAYNE ROONEY (Manchester United vs Everton)
The golden boy of Euro 2004 for England, Wayne Rooney announced himself to the world and a summer move to Old Trafford followed suit. Being labeled as a traitor by Everton fans, he scored the winning goal against them at Goodison Park and celebrated by kissing the United badge on his chest.
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