Rooney, Aguero, Hazard, Merson: Our writers pick the best debut they ever saw | OneFootball

Debut days can dazzle, from Champions League hat-tricks to nutmegs and 25-yarders. After Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ added-time equaliser on his Everton bow against Manchester United, our writers recalled the best first outings they witnessed.

According to NY Times, Wayne Rooney silenced any doubts in 2004, scoring a hat-trick for Manchester United against Fenerbahce, all from outside the box. Sergio Aguero came off the bench for Manchester City in 2011, scored twice and set up David Silva, capped by a 25-yard rocket. Eden Hazard needed six minutes at Wigan in 2012, creating one and winning a penalty before Chelsea won 2-0.

Lower down the pyramid, Paul Merson lit up Walsall’s 2003 opener against West Bromwich Albion with two top-corner strikes before a 4-1 win. Micky Quinn introduced himself at Newcastle in 1989 with four goals in a 5-2 victory over Leeds.

Edin Dzeko did not score on his Manchester City debut in 2011, yet a slick assist in a 4-3 win hinted at plenty more. Pedro marked his first Premier League game for Chelsea in 2015 with a goal and assist as they edged West Brom 3-2. Ben White’s 2019 Leeds bow at Bristol City showcased ice-cool defending for a title-winning season.

Christian Eriksen’s Brentford debut in 2022, seven months after a cardiac arrest at Euro 2021 and an ICD fitting, drew warm applause despite a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. Thousands even turned up to a Birmingham City reserve game in 1994 to watch Jose Dominguez, whose movement and dribbling were unforgettable.

Source: NY Times

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”