Iconic Moments in Football No.19
Today’s Iconic Moment comes from Goodison Park on 16th December 2001. West Ham are drawing 1-1 at hosts Everton after Frederic Kanoute equalised Steve Watson’s earlier header.
A long ball played over the Everton defence put scorer Kanoute through on goal. Paul Gerrard the Everton goalkeeper came rushing out of his goal to try and get the ball on from the on-rushing Hammers striker.
Gerrard dived at Kanoute’s feet and took the ball off him. Kanoute jumped over Gerrard to get out of the of the way. The Everton keeper tried to stand up but before collapsed in a heap clutching his right leg.
Gerrard lay on the Goodison turf clutching his leg and West Ham’s Trevor Sinclair rushed to the loose ball and whipped it into the box.
The ball dropped out of the December air, Paulo di Canio had his arms in the air and he caught the ball before pointing at the stricken Gerrard and made his way over with the ball in his arms.
After the game, Di Canio’s manager Harry Redknapp said when asked of the incident:
“It was the most fantastic bit of sportsmanship I think I’ve ever seen. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when he did it! You know, if the lad (Paul Gerrard) had a bad injury, he did the right thing”.
This Iconic Moment is in stark contrast to number 14 when Di Canio shoved a referee to the floor!
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