Top Ten: Debut seasons in the Premier League
The Premier League is back and back with an almighty bang. There were a feast of goals over the weekend and fans were treated to three matches with a 6-0 score line. The table already has a familiar look with Chelsea at the top and many people’s favourite for relegation, Wigan, at the bottom. This weekend also saw two summer signings get off the mark with their new clubs - Chamakh and Odemwingie for Arsenal and West Brom respectively, and showed that Andy Carroll could make the step up from the Championship as he fired an excellent hat trick against hapless Aston Villa. But who else has made such an impact in their first season in the Premier League and made us think twice about their ability. Whether they arrived from abroad or from a lower division Sport.co.uk looks at ten players who have had the goal-scoring touch in their first Premier League.
Andy Cole-Newcastle United 1993-1994
We can still call him Andy when referring to this period, despite the revelations later on in his career that he preferred Andrew (stories he has subsequently rubbished). One thing that is not disputable was Cole’s record in his first season in the top flight; en route to Newcastle’s 3rd place finish, he hit the back of the net 34 times in the league- a record that has never been beaten , only equalled by Alan Shearer in 1994/1995. Andy or Andrew or either then went onto to finish his top flight career with 187 goals, making him the second highest scorer in Premier League history.
We can still call him Andy when referring to this period, despite the revelations later on in his career that he preferred Andrew (stories he has subsequently rubbished). One thing that is not disputable was Cole’s record in his first season in the top flight; en route to Newcastle’s 3rd place finish, he hit the back of the net 34 times in the league- a record that has never been beaten , only equalled by Alan Shearer in 1994/1995. Andy or Andrew or either then went onto to finish his top flight career with 187 goals, making him the second highest scorer in Premier League history.
Jurgen Klinsmann-Tottenham Hotspur- 1994-1995
Came to England four years after helping knock our national side out of the World Cup in 1990, and expectedly was not warmly welcomed by all quarters. But as the cliché goes, the German did his talking on the pitch and answered critics who called him a diver, by doing his now infamous celebration 20 times in the 3rd year of the Premiership. A fleeting spell at Spurs was swiftly followed up by his heroics at Euro 1996, helping the Germans overcome England and the Czech Republic t lift the trophy. Great player, great celebration and ultimately great record in England.
Came to England four years after helping knock our national side out of the World Cup in 1990, and expectedly was not warmly welcomed by all quarters. But as the cliché goes, the German did his talking on the pitch and answered critics who called him a diver, by doing his now infamous celebration 20 times in the 3rd year of the Premiership. A fleeting spell at Spurs was swiftly followed up by his heroics at Euro 1996, helping the Germans overcome England and the Czech Republic t lift the trophy. Great player, great celebration and ultimately great record in England.
Kevin Phillips- Sunderland- 1999-2000
Super Kev as he is still fondly remembered on Wearside could not have dreamt that he would have played in the Premier League after humble beginnings at Baldock Town. However credit it where it’s due, Phillips smashed 30 goals in his first season and in doing so became the first Sunderland player since Brian Clough to reach that total. His goals fired the Mackems to 7th in the table and his formidable partnership with now chairman Niall Quinn, was one of the best in the league. Will always be loved by fans in red and white for his winner in 2-1 victory against Newcastle at St James, in which they had come back from a goal down.
Super Kev as he is still fondly remembered on Wearside could not have dreamt that he would have played in the Premier League after humble beginnings at Baldock Town. However credit it where it’s due, Phillips smashed 30 goals in his first season and in doing so became the first Sunderland player since Brian Clough to reach that total. His goals fired the Mackems to 7th in the table and his formidable partnership with now chairman Niall Quinn, was one of the best in the league. Will always be loved by fans in red and white for his winner in 2-1 victory against Newcastle at St James, in which they had come back from a goal down.
Marcus Stewart- -Ipswich 2000-2001 Helped the Tractor Boys to promotion with goals in both the Playoff semi and final the previous year and continued his good performances in the top tier. The former Huddersfield man hit an incredible 19 goals in his maiden season and finished second in the goal scoring charts, with only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink hitting more with 23. The form shown by Stewart was mirrored by his Ipswich teammates as George Burley’s men went onto to record a fifth place finish, and with it Uefa cup qualification. However this season proved to be a one hit wonder, as Town were relegated the next year with Stewart scoring just six goals.
Michael Ricketts- Bolton- 2001-2002
There was a time when he was seen as an accomplished centre forward, a real handful for the opposition. Flashback nine years and it was Ricketts who was smashing the winner at Old Trafford as Bolton finished with an unlikely 2-1 upset of Manchester Untied. The Trotters achieved their goal of survival and the centre forward was a key part of this scoring 12 league goals. His form also earned him an England call up and he won his first and only cap in a 1-1 draw with Holland in Amsterdam. After this season it was all downhill for Ricketts and the last sight of him in a football shirt was in January this year playing for Tranmere in League One.
There was a time when he was seen as an accomplished centre forward, a real handful for the opposition. Flashback nine years and it was Ricketts who was smashing the winner at Old Trafford as Bolton finished with an unlikely 2-1 upset of Manchester Untied. The Trotters achieved their goal of survival and the centre forward was a key part of this scoring 12 league goals. His form also earned him an England call up and he won his first and only cap in a 1-1 draw with Holland in Amsterdam. After this season it was all downhill for Ricketts and the last sight of him in a football shirt was in January this year playing for Tranmere in League One.
Andrew Johnson- Crystal Palace- 2004-2005
Only Thierry Henry scored more than him in this campaign- but not even Johnson’s 21 goals were enough to save Palace from the drop as Ian Dowie’s men were relegated on the final day of the season. However unlike the Eagles, Johnson returned to the Premier League and Fulham fans will be hoping he manages to regain fitness and his scoring touch. His performances had attracted the attention of the England national team, but in eight appearances he scored failed to score and remains firmly on the fringes.
Only Thierry Henry scored more than him in this campaign- but not even Johnson’s 21 goals were enough to save Palace from the drop as Ian Dowie’s men were relegated on the final day of the season. However unlike the Eagles, Johnson returned to the Premier League and Fulham fans will be hoping he manages to regain fitness and his scoring touch. His performances had attracted the attention of the England national team, but in eight appearances he scored failed to score and remains firmly on the fringes.
Tim Cahill- Everton 2004-2005
Was the star of Milwall’s run to the FA Cup final, before making the switch the Toffees in the summer of 2004. He finished the club’s top scorer in his first season notching 11 goals in the league, narrowly missing out on being in the top 10 of the scorers’ charts. This from a player who plays predominantly in midfield and had only appeared in the lower leagues up until this point. International recognition followed and Cahill has gone on to represent Australia at two World Cups.
Was the star of Milwall’s run to the FA Cup final, before making the switch the Toffees in the summer of 2004. He finished the club’s top scorer in his first season notching 11 goals in the league, narrowly missing out on being in the top 10 of the scorers’ charts. This from a player who plays predominantly in midfield and had only appeared in the lower leagues up until this point. International recognition followed and Cahill has gone on to represent Australia at two World Cups.
Kevin Doyle- Reading- 2006-2007
The Irish born forward was originally bought as a back up to Dave Kitson during Reading’s successful Championship winning season. However he quickly established himself as an integral part of the team and was named player of the season. The step up proved to be easy once more as Doyle hit 13 goals in the league and helped Reading achieve a top half finish. Although The Royals were relegated with a douse of second season syndrome, Doyle found his way back with Wolves and his solid performances have made him a constant in Trapatonni’s Ireland squad.
The Irish born forward was originally bought as a back up to Dave Kitson during Reading’s successful Championship winning season. However he quickly established himself as an integral part of the team and was named player of the season. The step up proved to be easy once more as Doyle hit 13 goals in the league and helped Reading achieve a top half finish. Although The Royals were relegated with a douse of second season syndrome, Doyle found his way back with Wolves and his solid performances have made him a constant in Trapatonni’s Ireland squad.
Roque Santa Cruz- Blackburn- 2007-2008
Signed form Bayern Munich in the summer of a 2007 for a modest £3.5 million, Santa Cruz would prove to be one of Mark Hughes’ shrewdest signings. Elegant and skilful, it took him only three touches of the ball to open his account for Rovers on the opening day of the season against Middlesbrough. The Paraguayan would go on to score a further 18 league goals to help Blackburn finish the season in the top seven. His controversial move to City two years later has not seen him recapture his first season form, and he looks like being one of the players culled from their 25-man squad.
Signed form Bayern Munich in the summer of a 2007 for a modest £3.5 million, Santa Cruz would prove to be one of Mark Hughes’ shrewdest signings. Elegant and skilful, it took him only three touches of the ball to open his account for Rovers on the opening day of the season against Middlesbrough. The Paraguayan would go on to score a further 18 league goals to help Blackburn finish the season in the top seven. His controversial move to City two years later has not seen him recapture his first season form, and he looks like being one of the players culled from their 25-man squad.
Fernando Torres- Liverpool- 2007-2008
“They got the boy from sunny Spain, he gets the ball and scores again” and that’s pretty much what happened for El Nino throughout his inaugural Premier League season. He was the new striker that the Kop had craved for years and was the first since former favourite Robbie Fowler to hit the net 20 times in a league season. Torres would go onto to add another four goals to his tally to finish joint second with Emmanuel Adebayor in the scorers’ charts. Has not had a more productive season than his first in England, although he has picked up winning medals at the World Cup and European Championship in the meantime. Is committed to Liverpool for the foreseeable future and Roy Hodgson will be hoping to bring out the best in Torres once again.
“They got the boy from sunny Spain, he gets the ball and scores again” and that’s pretty much what happened for El Nino throughout his inaugural Premier League season. He was the new striker that the Kop had craved for years and was the first since former favourite Robbie Fowler to hit the net 20 times in a league season. Torres would go onto to add another four goals to his tally to finish joint second with Emmanuel Adebayor in the scorers’ charts. Has not had a more productive season than his first in England, although he has picked up winning medals at the World Cup and European Championship in the meantime. Is committed to Liverpool for the foreseeable future and Roy Hodgson will be hoping to bring out the best in Torres once again.
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