Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterIt was the moment that helped launch a young Manchester United winger into the stratosphere. Already 2-0 up at Selhurst Park on August 17, 1996, a 21-year-old David Beckham received possession well inside his own half and let fly.The audacity of the shot, unleashed 57 yards from goal, caught the entire stadium by surprise, not least Wombles goalkeeper Neil Sullivan who haplessly attempted to prevent the balls flight before ending up crumpled inside his own net.Now, 30 years on, Sullivan recalls that moment, and the massive hype that blew up afterwards.You pick up a newspaper and it's all over the back pages Sullivan on the reaction following Beckham's iconic strikeYeah, I mean, at the time it was, it was just a normal game, Sullivan, speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo ahead of the World Cup via betFIRST says. We were 2-0 down going into the last couple of minutes of the game. He hit it and it kind of moved in the air quite a lot.I didn't quite change my feet around properly and, as soon as he hits it, you think, That's going to be close. When it went in, I was kind of hanging onto the net, kind of looking up and all the Man United fans were behind the goal. I was getting pelters from the stands. You may like Former Manchester United star Nani describes his assist for Wayne Rooneys overhead kick Youd get in your car to leave and someone's nicked your keys Neil Sullivan on breaking through at Wimbledon during the clubs infamous Crazy gang era "Sir Alex Ferguson crossed a line, and therein lies the difference between me and him, thats how he won 13 league titles and I won none" Kevin Keegan on Newcastle United's 1995/96 Premier League challenge 30 years on from the 'Love it' rant Sullivans initial reaction was disbelief mixed with a little bit of respect for the sheer temerity of Beckhams attempt. But little did the goalkeeper know how iconic that moment was to become.I just kind of had a little smile and a chuckle to myself, and that was it, really, he says. Then you don't really think much of it.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You wake up the next day obviously no social media back then, no nothing. You pick up a newspaper and it's all over the back pages. You think, Wow, that was, you know, that's that's quite special'. And yeah, that was it - youre kind of inadvertently a part of Premier League history.Surprisingly enough, Sullivan isnt even certain that was the best goal he conceded.I guess there's that one, and the Paolo Di Canio goal, which I was also in goal for, says Sullivan of an iconic scissor kick scored by the West ham legend against Wimbledon in 2000. So, yeah, it's nice to be remembered for something, I guess.TOPICSManchester UnitedWimbledonPremier LeagueEd McCambridgeSocial Links NavigationStaff WriterEd is a staff writer at FourFourTwo, working across the magazine and website. A German speaker, hes been working as a football reporter in Berlin since 2015, predominantly covering the Bundesliga and Germany's national team. Favourite FFT features include an exclusive interview with Jude Bellingham following the youngsters move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, a history of the Berlin Derby since the fall of the Wall and a celebration of Kevin Keegans playing career.
