Ste McGovern
Football photography has managed to capture some of the most memorable and iconic moments in the sport’s history in ways that have imprinted on our minds for the rest of our lives.Â
There is something enchanting and alluring about great sports photography, and football has been able to produce enough incredible moments that we could make a hundred lists over of the best football photos ever taken.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so we’ve picked out some of the greatest Premier League images of the noughties, in chronological order, for your perusal. Part one of this series, which covered the nineties, can be read here.
50 of the most iconic Premier League photos from the 2000’s:
Clanger
Manchester United keeper Mark Bosnich follows in the misplaced footsteps of Massimo Taibi after dropping a clanger against Newcastle United at St James Park in February 2000.
Five of the worst Premier League goalkeepers ever
40-something
Neville Southall in goal for Bradford City against Leeds United at Valley Parade on 12 March 2000. The Welsh goalkeeper was a player-coach for the Bantams, but was called upon by manager Paul Jewell after all three of his net minders were injured at the same time. He was 41 at the time.
The over-40’s club: English football’s greatest quadragenarians
Dons go down
Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan looks in horror at the ball in his own net against Southampton at the Dell on 14 May 2000. Southampton won the match 2-0, relegating the London side that season.
Dry your eyes, mate
The Wimbledon fans despair after relegation is confirmed.
Reunited
Man United legends Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and George Best receive lifetime achievement awards as part of the National Football Awards at Old Trafford on 20 August 2000.
Getting shirty
Thierry Henry celebrates his goal by showing off his t-shirt during the match between Arsenal and Liverpool in August 2000.
Roy rage
Roy Keane shouts at Alf Inge Haaland following his red card during the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford on 21 April 2001. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Five of Roy Keane’s best moments on punditry
Le God
Southampton legend Matthew Le Tissier scores the winning goal against Arsenal during the last ever league game at The Dell on 19 May 2001.
Le Tiss and the best English players to never win a major trophy
Swing and a miss
Roy Keane takes a swing at Newcastle captain Alan Shearer during Newcastle United versus Manchester United at St. James Park in September 2001. Newcastle won the match 4- 3.
Lads, it’s Tottenham
David Beckham celebrates after scoring the fifth goal for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur in a famous 5-3 comeback at White Hart Lane on 29 September 2001.
Remembering the top five scorers from the 2001/02 Premier League season
Betrayed
Spurs fans vent their feelings over the departure of ex-player Sol Campbell to rivals Arsenal during the North London Derby at White Hart Lane on 7 November 2001. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Sectarianism, betrayal and a pig’s head – Football’s most controversial transfers
Rounded
Thierry Henry skips past a flailing Fabien Barthez to score his second goal of the night for Arsenal on 25 November 2001.
Clincher
Arsenal players celebrate winning the league title at Old Trafford after beating Man United 1-0 on 8 May 2002.
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Dismay
Gary Neville puts his hands over his head after letting Shaun Goater claim the ball and score Manchester City‘s second goal at Maine Road on 9 November 2002.
Derby
Thierry Henry celebrates his goal in front of the Spurs supporters during the North London Derby on 16 November 2002 at Highbury. Arsenal won the match 3-0.
Super Sava
Fulham cult hero Facundo Sava celebrates scoring against Liverpool at Loftus Road in November 2002. The match ended 3-2 to Fulham.
Revisiting Fulham’s unforgettable comeback win over Juventus
Hammered
A pair of dejected West Ham United fans after their team are relegated on 11 May 2003 at St Andrews. The Hammers drew 2-2 with Birmingham.
Ruud behaviour
Martin Keown shows his feelings at Ruud Van Nistelrooy after the striker missed his penalty against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 21 September 2003.
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Vava voom
Arsenal’s Thierry Henry celebrates after scoring a goal late in the second half against Chelsea at Highbury Stadium on 18 October 2003. The Gunners won 2-1.
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When Paris meets Fermanagh
Thierry Henry is angrily confronted by Man United goalkeeper Roy Carroll during the Arsenal versus Manchester United Premier League match at Highbury stadium on 28 March 2004.
Invincible
Manager Arsene Wenger celebrates Arsenal winning the Premier League at White Hart Lane on 25 April 2004
Rooney Tunes
Wayne Rooney celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring the winner against Liverpool at Anfield on 15 January 2005.
Dyer straights
Newcastle teammates Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer come to blows while playing against Aston Villa at St James Park on 2 April 2005.
Six infamous bust-ups between teammates
That’s gotta hurt
Andrew Johnson goes down for a penalty during the match between Crystal Palace and Norwich City at Selhurst Park on 16 April 2005.
The Special One
Jose Mourinho celebrates winning his first Premier League title with Frank Lampard, John Terry and Paulo Ferreira at Stamford Bridge on 7 May 2005.
Down and out
Southampton fans show their disappointment at being relegated having lost against Manchester United at St Mary’s Stadium on 15 May 2005.
Keep away
Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka puts his hand on referee Alan Wiley’s head after he scores against Charlton Athletic at The Valley on 12 March 2006.
Knockout blow
Tim Cahill celebrates scoring for Everton by boxing the corner flag during their match against Aston Villa at Goodison Park on 18 March 2006.
The immortal Jock Stein the A74 highway crash
Timeless
Newcastle captain Alan Shearer celebrates in a familiar fashion after scoring the second goal against Sunderland at The Stadium of Light in April 2006, his final year as a player.
Collector’s item
Chelsea supporters scramble to grab manager Jose Mourinho’s winners medal after he tossed it into the crowd during the celebrations after his team won the Premier League trophy by defeating Manchester United 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on 29 April 2006.
Cech out
Petr Cech is stretchered off the field after being injured in the first few minutes of the game against Reading at The Madejski Stadium on 14 October 2006. The Chelsea goalkeeper had to wear a protective helmet for the rest of his career as a result of the injury he sustained that day.
Five of the best Premier League goals assisted by goalkeepers
Scholazo
Man United midfielder Paul Scholes whacks in that volley against Aston Villa in December 2006.
Five of the best volleys in Premier League history
Pouring
Thierry Henry looks on in the rain during the match between Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal at Ewood Park on 13 January 2007.
History maker
Jacqui Oatley becomes the first woman to commentate on BBC’s Match of The Day during Fulham versus Blackburn Rovers at Craven Cottage on 21 April 2007.
Barred
Kingsley the Reading mascot is banished from pitch side by match referee Mike Riley during the match between Reading and Newcastle United at the Madejski Stadium on 30 April 2007.
Moonshine
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James directs his team as the moon shines in the evening sky in December 2007 at Anfield
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Protest
Liverpool football supporters hold banners with messages aimed at their American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett before their match against Aston Villa at Anfield on 21 January 2008.
On the Double
Alex Ferguson poses with the UEFA Champions League and Premier League trophies in May 2008.
Embarrassing
West Ham played without a shirt sponsor for over two months at the start of the 2008/09 season due to the collapse of the XL package holiday company.
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Backflip
Obafemi Martins celebrates scoring against Man United for Newcastle at Old Trafford on 17 August 2008.
Bird’s eye view
Fans watch on as Stoke City take on Man United at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day in 2008.
Sealed with a kiss
Steven Gerrard celebrates scoring Liverpool’s second goal against arch rivals Man United at Old Trafford on 14 March 2009. The Reds won 4-1.
Down and out
Newcastle United fans react after they lose 1-0 to Aston Villa on 24 May 2009, relegating the club to the second tier.
Newcastle’s manager Alan Shearer applauds the fans following the result.
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Sent off
Arsene Wenger stands with his arms outstretched after being sent to the stands during the match between Man United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on 29 August 2009.
Gloating
Emmanuel Adebayor celebrates in front of the Arsenal fans after scoring at the City of Manchester Stadium on 12 September 2009.
Five of the most iconic Premier League goal celebrations
Owen goal
That same month Michael Owen scores a dramatic last-minute goal in the Manchester Derby to hand United a 4-3 win.
Life’s a beach
Sunderland striker Darren Bent watches as his shot goes between Glen Johnson and Pepe Reina of Liverpool and into the goal off of a beach ball at the Stadium of Light on 17 October 2009.
Humiliation
Tottenham Hotspur humiliated Wigan to record their highest top-flight win by beating the Latics 9-1 at White Hart Lane on 22 November 2009. Jermain Defoe scored five second-half goals.
Read: How the Tevez and Mascherano fiasco impacted the Premier League
See Also: 30 of the most iconic football photos ever taken