Mark Noble is ready to renew his friendly rivalry with Cesc Fabregas on New Year's Day - with two of the league's brightest young talents acquaintances of old.
On 12 May 2004, Noble's England met Fabregas's Spain in the semi-final of the European Under-17 Championship. The two teenagers had been among the leading lights of that high-profile competition, being hosted that summer by France, and a highly competitive last-four meeting was always likely.
On that sunny day in Tours, Spain took the lead in the tenth minute only for West Ham United's Kyel Reid to equalise within eight minutes. Going into the closing stages, there was nothing to separate the nations until Spain raced through on the break and seemed certain to score the winner.
Ever determined to save the day, Noble tracked back and had the chance of a match-saving tackle but, in so doing, committed a foul that saw a penalty awarded and himself being shown a red card. Once the Hammers youngster had trudged off, Fabregas stepped up to score from the spot - sending his side through to the final.
Despite their contrasting fortunes that day, the pair have stayed friends, with Noble full of praise for his rival. There are many similarities between the duo. In fact there are just four days between them, with Fabregas the older, while they are identical in height. "I always have a chat with Cesc before and after games," Noble said. "I look out for his games and he has said the same about me."
Recalling that fateful semi-final nearly four years ago, Noble added: "He scored the winning penalty in that game and I got sent off for doing the tackle. Hopefully I can turn that around on Tuesday and we can come away with from there with another victory like we did last season."
Key to replicating last campaign's 1-0 away win will no doubt be the fans, and boyhood supporter Noble knows better than most about the passion that follows the team wherever they play. "It has been fantastic this season," he said. "The travelling support always is. We just need to look forward to going to a fantastic place to play and putting in another performance like we did today."
Having conceded "it was a bit nerve-wracking to be chucked back in against Man U" on Saturday, Noble became the star performer - making both goals for Matthew Upson and Anton Ferdinand. Noble will take confidence from that and, should he go head to head with Fabregas again on Tuesday, he will more than be up for the challenge.