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On this day: Man United's David Beckham lobs Neil Sullivan from halfway line

Nineteen years ago today, Manchester United winger David Beckham scored from the halfway line against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park.

It doesn't matter how many goals a player scores, there is often one that sticks out above them all.

Alan Shearer may be the Premier League's leading goalscorer of all time, yet most people will instantly remember his stunning volley against Everton. Likewise, it's impossible to think of a Ryan Giggs goal without stopping at the FA Cup semi-final in 1999, while even where the greats like Diego Maradona and Pele are concerned, there will be a goal that is revered above all others - or two in Maradona's case - sorry England fans!

As for David Beckham, some may argue that of his 146 goals for club and country, the stoppage-time equaliser against Greece for England in 2001 was his most memorable strike.

However, it was 19 years ago today that the Manchester United winger scored the goal that catapulted him into the limelight - a place where he has appeared to be unnervingly comfortable ever since.

The visiting Red Devils were already two goals to the good against hosting Wimbledon at Selhurst Park thanks to strikes from Eric Cantona and Denis Irwin when Beckham's moment arrived in stoppage time.

Ronny Johnsen won back possession from Wimbledon's Efan Ekoku midway inside the United half, with Brian McClair picking up the loose ball. The Scot in turn prodded a pass through for Beckham, who let the ball roll across his body as he advanced towards the halfway line.

From there, rather than pick out a teammate, an ambitious Beckham spotted that home goalkeeper Neil Sullivan had strayed off his line and so went for goal. It became apparent very quickly that the 21-year-old's speculative effort was goalbound and despite scampering back, Sullivan could only watch the dipping ball drop underneath his crossbar and into the net.

With both arms aloft as he celebrated his goal, Beckham went on to become an overnight superstar.

Speaking about that goal more recently, former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "How can you forget that 60-yard goal? He tried it about 10 minutes before he scored and I said to my assistant Brian Kidd, 'If he tries that again, he's off'.

"At the time, David was getting carried away a bit and you are always trying to keep his feet on the ground. When the goal goes in, Kiddo turns to me and says, 'We'll have to take him off!'"

Meanwhile, talking to MUTV in December 2014, Beckham added: "The goal I was really happy with, but the fact that I came off the pitch, walked into the changing room and Eric (Cantona) was stood there - he shook my hand and said 'what a goal'.

"For me, it was great scoring the goal, but nothing compared to Eric saying that. That was more important and special to me than scoring the goal."

WIMBLEDON: Sullivan; Thatcher, Perry, Cunningham, McAllister; Leonhardsen, Jones (Harford), Earle, Gayle (Ardley); Clarke, Holdsworth (Ekoku)

MAN UNITED: Schmeichel; Irwin, Pallister, May, P Neville; Cruyff, Butt (Johnsen), Keane, Scholes, Beckham; Cantona (McClair)

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Written by
Liam Apicella
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