Top Ten: Premier debuts

By James Pearson   Last updated: 14th August 2008

Fabrizio Ravanelli Middlesbrough 1996

Ravanelli: Hat-trick debut

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With the opening weekend of the 2008/09 Premier League season upon us, skysports.com has a look at some memorable league debuts in years gone by.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United v Bolton)

One might not think Ronaldo had that much of an impact after making his Premier League debut as a substitute in United's 4-0 romp over Bolton. However, The Red Devils were only leading by one when United's first-ever Portuguese capture entered the field of play shortly after the hour mark. Even though Ronaldo failed to set up a goal, his pace, skill and vision made him an instant hit with the Old Trafford faithful.

Fabrizio Ravanelli (Middlesbrough v Liverpool)

The grey-hailed Italian made himself an instant fans' favourite at The Riverside with an impressive debut hat-trick against Roy Evans' Liverpool on the first day of the 1996/97 season. The former Juventus striker's shirt was nearly at breaking point by the time he netted his third in the 81st minute by donning his famous shirt-over-the head celebrations as Boro's fans rejoiced at their new hero.

Michael Owen (Liverpool v Wimbledon)

A star of Liverpool's 1996 FA Youth Cup triumph, Owen scored on his debut for the Reds at Wimbledon a year later and did not look back after. While his well-taken effort was just a consolation in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Wimbledon after replacing Patrik Berger, his pace and composure ensured he would become a definite one-to-watch. He burst through The Dons' defence and slotted home past Neil Sullivan before calmly carrying the ball back to the halfway line.

Alan Smith (Leeds v Liverpool)

To score on your Premier League debut is something, but to score with your first touch in front of the Kop at Anfield is something dreams are made of. However, a fresh-faced Smith achieved the feat in November 1998 as he tucked home a Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pass within minutes of replacing Clyde Wijnhard as Leeds battled back from a goal down to win 3-1 at Liverpool.

Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United v Fulham)

The weight of a £19million price tag brings pressure that often gets to the best of them, but Van Nistelrooy gave Manchester United fans the assurances they were looking for as he followed up his goal in the 2001 Charity Shield clash against Liverpool with a brace on his Premier League debut in a thrilling 3-2 success over Fulham. It proved a hugely successful campaign for the Dutchman as he ended the season with an impressive 36 goals in his debut season.

James Vaughan (Everton v Crystal Palace)

The Toffees youngster set a new Premier League record when he found the back of the net on his debut against Crystal Palace. Vaughan replaced Gary Naysmith in the 75th minute at Goodison with Everton 3-0 up against The Eagles. With just three minutes left 16-year-old Vaughan struck from close-range to become the league's youngest ever scorer, beating James Milner's previous record by 86 days.

Robbie Keane (Coventry v Derby)

Eyebrows were raised when Coventry shelled out £6million on the Republic of Ireland international from Wolves just weeks into the 1999/2000 season, a then-British record for a teenager. However, the doubters were silenced early on as his Sky Blues career got off to a blistering start following a brace on his debut in a 2-0 win at home to Derby County.

Mario Stanic (Chelsea v West Ham)

The name is unlikely to ring a bell with many Premier League fans, but his debut goal against The Hammers is less forgettable. The former Croatia international juggled the ball twice before unleashing a fierce volley from all of 35 yards out leaving Shaka Hislop clutching at nothing but air. The Parma capture scored twice in a 4-2 success, although he failed to deliver that kind of quality on a regular basis for The Blues.

Faustino (Tino) Asprilla (Newcastle v Middlesbrough)

The former Colombia international may have wished he had stayed with Parma after signing for The Magpies during a blizzard in the North East. Thankfully his impressive debut off the bench against Boro warmed things up for Newcastle's fans. His appearance came with Newcastle trailing 1-0 with only a third of match remaining. He instantly showed himself to be one of the more skilful players in the country after terrorising Boro's defence, with his seemingly rubber legs going one way and the ball another. Newcastle went on to win 2-1.

Jurgen Klinsmann (Tottenham v Sheffield Wednesday)

The start of the 1994/95 season saw the arrival of German goal machine Klinsmann and he marked his Premier League debut with a pin-point header before unleashing his trademark diving celebration on English fans. The classy striker pulled away from Des Walker before guiding Darren Anderton's floated cross past a helpless Kevin Pressman. Just the first of numerous goals for the Spurs legend.