As far as the Premier League is concerned, Peter Schmeichel is arguably the best goalkeeper to have ever donned a pair of gloves.

The Dane was a towering presence as Manchester United won five titles between 1992 and 1999, when he departed, seemingly for good, to join Sporting Lisbon.

However, following two years in the Portuguese capital and at the age of 37, Schmeichel was tempted back to England with the offer of a one-year contract from Aston Villa manager John Gregory.

His impact at Villa Park was an immediate one, with his new side losing none of their opening seven matches of the 2001-02 campaign. During that run, the experienced stopper managed to keep four clean sheets.

Such form meant that when Villa made the trip to Everton 13 years ago today, they had the chance to go top of the table. Yet, while the result did not go the visiting team's way, Schmeichel was able to make a piece of Premier League history.

Goals from former Villa defender Steve Watson, Tomasz Radzinski and Thomas Gravesen within the opening 62 minutes saw the hosts open up a comfortable 3-0 lead at Goodison Park and, while Moroccan midfielder Mustapha Hadji reduced the arrears 19 minutes from time, Gregory's men were a spent force.

There was still time, though, for Schmeichel to become the first keeper to ever score a goal in the Premier League. Up for a corner in stoppage time, Steve Staunton's cross broke for him at the back post and he was able to squeeze a powerful volley inside Paul Gerrard's far post.

It only proved to be a consolation effort, with the final whistle being blown shortly after, yet the shot-stopper's impact at the other end made the majority of the headlines.

During his post-match interview, Everton manager Walter Smith said: "I've seen goalkeepers score before on TV, but never in a game that I've been managing. I hope that I don't see it again. You watch Schmeichel come running up for these situations, he does it a lot. And you just keep your fingers crossed because you think it's going to be sod's law."

Meanwhile, Gregory added: "Peter was carrying a thigh injury to his right leg, he was doing all his kicking with his left foot, but that still didn't stop him scoring with his right."

EVERTON: Gerrard; Xavier, Weir, Pistone, Naysmith; Watson, Gravesen (Gascoigne), Pembridge (Gemmill), Alexandersson; Radzinski (Ferguson), Campbell

VILLA: Schmeichel; Delaney, Alpay (Samuel), Staunton, Wright; Hadji, Taylor, Boateng, Hendrie (Ginola); Vassell, Angel (Dublin)

Written by
Liam Apicella