After the third fixture of the 1996/1997 English Premier League season, Manchester City's dramatic away match against Manchester United sent shockwaves through the football world.
Fleet Street's media reacted in unison—this game dominated the headlines. From tabloids to broadsheets, nearly every major publication gave the match front-page treatment. The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Sun, and The Daily Mail all featured extensive coverage of what was already being called an early contender for "Match of the Season."
Among them, it was The Daily Mail's spread that pleased Richard the most. The layout was stunning: on the left, a photo capturing Ronaldo executing a flawless Cruyff turn; on the right, a snapshot of young Andrea Pirlo celebrating after scoring a thunderous goal for Manchester City.