Taking a look back at a classic West Ham United moment on this day in history, in association with RoadX Tyres...
Paolo di Canio once again proved West Ham United’s saviour as the iconic Italian scored an opportunistic winner against Leicester City at Boleyn Ground, on this day 19 years ago.
Heavily linked with a transfer to Manchester United at the time, it was a moment laced with emotion for the then-33-year-old, who took the opportunity to salute all four corners of the ground at the final whistle.
Thankfully for Hammers’ fans, di Canio’s sixth goal of the season for West Ham was not to prove his last.
But it was still a moment to cherish, with the striker – who had missed the previous two games through a combination of injury and illness – returning to the side to make a crucial intervention with 35 minutes on the clock.
When Joe Cole’s close-range shot was blocked by Leicester’s Frank Sinclair, Sebastien Schemmel headed the ball back across goal. When it landed at the far post, di Canio was on hand to poke it home on the volley.
Di Canio ultimately went on to depart the Irons at the conclusion of the following season, contributing 141 appearances, 51 goals – and multitudes’ more memories – to the Claret and Blue family.
RoadX Tyres is West Ham United's Official Tyre Partner. RoadX Tyres is a new tyre brand which successfully launched around the world at the end of 2019. The company focuses on providing comfortable and durable high-performance tyres and is backed with the highest level of testing, manufacturing, and research and development capabilities.
