Feed the Goat and he will score.
Simple: give the ball to Shaun Goater and there was a very good chance the ball would hit the back of the net.
QuiteĀ how the ball would cross the line (and via which body part) definitely variedā¦ but the concept remained the same. Just ask Gary Neville.
The Manchester United star discovered the serious consequences of āfeeding the Goatā on one glorious day in November 2002 ā the final Manchester Derby hosted at Maine Road ā and in rather amusing fashion.
With the game locked at 1-1, after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (of course, now the current Red Devilsā boss) had cancelled out Nicolas Anelkaās early opener, City pressed to regain the lead.
However, an overhit long ball over the top looked to cause little danger, with Neville seemingly set to comfortably shepherd the ball out of play; he did not realise he was being pursued by the hungry Goat.
With his predatory instincts heightened in and around the box, Goater gave chase and āpickpocketedā the United captain to keep the ball in play before driving towards goal and curling a beautiful finish past Fabian Barthez from an acute angle ā his 99th City goal.
While Maine Road erupted into raptures, Neville ā and several of the Red contingent ā stood stunned with their hands on their head, unable to comprehend the mistake, and the potential significance of it.
To rub salt in the wounds, United legend Peter Schmeichel ā lining up against his former Club during a successful one-year stint at Maine Road ā turned to the North Stand to celebrate with the jubilant City fans. It really was a priceless moment.
Goaterās celebrations meanwhile were subdued, as the rest of the squad ran over to congratulate the Bermudian on his solo effort. It was a memorable Manchester Derby goal all of his own making, but in his eyes, it was a case of: advantage gained from a mistake ā a goal not to be acknowledged for its craft.
Although, of course, that doesnāt mean he didnāt enjoy it!
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āIām humble about it because I scored so many goals, but itās against United and it means so much more for the City fans ā those two goals.
āOn that world stage in the Derby against United, it was special.
āPeople always say: āDo you remember the goals against United?ā I scored 103 goals for the Club so when youāre a goalscorer, you score goals and you know what itās like!
āGary Neville is one of the best pundits out there today. He doesnāt hold back if a defender does something basic, especially something very basic, and he would say: āThat was really bad defendingā and thatās what heād say about himself at that particular time!ā
Goal number 99 was certainly one to remember, and his City Century ā his 100th for the Club ā would follow in the second half ā just five minutes after the break.
This one in contrast was beautifully fashioned: a goal, which showcased both sides of Cityās game.
Having dispossessed United in the centre, the home side capitalised, as Niclas Jensen played an excellent ball into midfield maestro Eyal Berkovicās path.
With exceptional technical ability and a vision which saw into the future, the Israeli playmaker clipped a gorgeous first-time ball into the path of Goater, who controlled before chipping the ball delightfully over Barthez to hand City a two-goal advantage.
He celebrated this one more exuberantly, putting his finger to his lips before jumping for joy in front of the City faithful ā and rightly so, it was another fantastic finish, a crucial strike and moreover, his 100th goal for his beloved Club.
He didnāt know that at the time though!
āThe strange thing was: I wasnāt even aware it was my 100th goal until after!ā he admitted.
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āIād followed my goals for the season but I didnāt follow my total goals for what I had achieved at the Club.
āWhen I found out, I thought: āThis story just gets better and better!ā
āMy 100th goal against Manchester United in the last Maine Road Derbyā¦ the boxes just get ticked on their own. I couldnāt have written it any better.ā
Although Goater (and Neville, whose every touch and later substitution was cheekily cheered by the home crowd) took the acclaim, the Bermudan credits his former teammate and close friend for an influential display: defender Gerard Wiekens.
The Dutchman, who played in three divisions with City, produced a fine display to keep Unitedās fearsome forward line quiet, as the Goat remembers fondly.
āFor me, he was underrated in terms of his appreciation,ā he stated. āWhen he played against United, he marked Ruud van Nistelrooy out of the game.
āThat was the quality of Gerard Wiekens. I hated playing against him because in training, he read me so well.
āI was the easy-go-lucky guy so I got on with pretty much everyone, but Gerard and I were probably the closest ā we really seemed to hit it off in terms of our temperament and how we were.ā
Describing the final Maine Road Derby as āa wonderful gameā, Wiekens himself holds the victory in equally high regard, deeming the game one of his all-time favourites.
Will there ever be a Derby goal scored in such comical circumstances again? Who knows?
One thing is for certain however: should Neville be in attendance in any fixture between City and United at the Etihad, he will certainly receive a warm welcomeā¦
