Premier League turns 25: 10 most memorable moments

Twenty-five years of classic matches, petty squabbles, and incredible soundbites have vaulted the Premier League to being the most lucrative division in the world. Here, theScore lists off the top 10 moments that won the English ladder's upper rung its notoriety.

10. Margarita melee

Aside from finals, few matches are blessed with their own Wikipedia page -particularly one with a title as intriguing as the "Battle of the Buffet."

The event itself was a typically bruising encounter between Manchester United and Arsenal, with the former prevailing 2-0 that ended the Gunners' record 49-game unbeaten streak.

But it was what happened away from the cameras that entered football folklore in 2004. Tempers boiled over in the tunnel after the final whistle, resulting in foodstuffs being chucked about.

"The next thing I knew I had pizza all over me," Alex Ferguson shared in "My Autobiography." "They say it was Cesc Fabregas who threw the pizza at me but, to this day, I have no idea who the culprit is. The corridor outside the dressing room turned into a rabble."

9. Tevez controversially keeps West Ham alive

Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez made their first strides in Europe at West Ham United, but only Tevez was available for the vital end-of-season battle at Manchester United in May 2007.

The Argentinian scored the winner on the stroke of half-time, resulting in the Irons staying alive at the expense of Sheffield United. Due to breaching third-party ownership rules, Tevez's involvement was rightly questioned by the demoted Blades.

West Ham was hit with a derisory £5.5-million fine and has since enjoyed Premier League television riches, allowing it to blast club-record fees on the likes of Marko Arnautovic.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, is in its 11th season outside the top flight.

8. Di Canio's ref shove results in comedy tumble

Say what you like about his controversial political allegiances, Paolo Di Canio was pure entertainment during his stints with Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham, and Charlton Athletic.

Angry at being shown a red card during his earlier Owls stint, referee Robert Alcock was sent into a slow-motion tumble to the turf by the impassioned Italian. The push was pure comedy, but resulted in an 11-match ban during the 1998-99 season.

7. Sol Campbell's switch of allegiance

Few players have used the Bosman ruling as contentiously as Sol Campbell.

He was a terrace icon at Tottenham Hotspur after progressing through the youth academy, and repeatedly assured the fans he was going to sign a new contract as the paperwork reached its 2001 expiration.

He instead turned his back on the club, and left for archrival Arsenal. He was given a venomous reception on his return to White Hart Lane, but had the biggest laugh of all when he hoisted the Premier League trophy when wearing red at the same venue in 2004.

6. Keegan would 'love it'

Rafa Benitez's "facts" rant was entertaining, but also calculated as the then-Liverpool boss pulled out a sheet of paper and reeled off dated flash points that, in his opinion, unfairly fell in Alex Ferguson's favour.

Kevin Keegan's monologue trumps it, though, through its wild-eyed spontaneity.

In the frenzy of Britpop, Keegan leered past the camera and jabbed his finger like an inebriated Liam Gallagher. He was wound up by Ferguson claiming teams didn't try as hard against Keegan's summit-chasing Newcastle as they did against Manchester United.

"We're still fighting for this title, and he's still got to go to Middlesbrough and get something," Keegan fumed. "And, I'll tell ya, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it."

5. Beckham introduces himself

David Beckham thrust himself into the consciousness of English football with an audacious swing of his right peg in August 1996.

Catching Neil Sullivan off his line in injury time at Wimbledon's temporary Selhurst Park digs, Manchester United product Beckham sent the ball onto a floating, swirling trajectory from before the halfway line that perfectly found the onion bag without the aid of a bounce.

It's arguably the most iconic goal in 25 years of Premier League football.

4. Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle

1996 was a stellar year for the English game. Eric Cantona led Fergie's fledglings to the double, Gianfranco Zola arrived at Chelsea, and his chunky English version, Matt Le Tissier, was full of cheek and artistry at Southampton.

It was also a year which featured an madcap classic.

Robbie Fowler's early header at Anfield in April set the tone. The Scouser known as "God" was at his peak, and Faustino Asprilla was at his mercurial best for the Magpies. It was bedlam.

Liverpool and Newcastle traded blows to make it 3-3, but Stan Collymore's injury-time winner left Keegan slumped over the advertising hoardings and sent Manchester United on a relatively easy stroll to a third title in four years.

3. Cantona's kung-fu skills

With his collar lifted and his peacock-proud stance, Eric Cantona was destined for legendary status at Old Trafford. His attack on an alleged mouthy Crystal Palace fan in January 1995 only strengthened his claim.

Related - Premier League turns 25: 10 most influential foreigners

The Frenchman had already seen red for lashing out at defender Richard Shaw, and then, perturbed by some alleged choice words from a spectator, he ran over the stand, sent his studs into victim Matthew Simmons, and then swung punches until police, stewards, and club officials managed to pull him away.

Cantona was banned for eight months.

2. Andrea Bocelli sings for Leicester

Sometimes trophy parades can seem a little sterile if a title was wrapped up with a game or so to spare, especially if its clinching was met with a raucous party in Jamie Vardy's kitchen.

But the hoisting of silverware was always going to be a classy event with Claudio Ranieri at the helm in 2016. The Italian manager invited classical crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli to sing before kick-off, and it was a spellbinding performance.

His renditions of "Nessun Dorma" (known to football fans as the theme of the 1990 World Cup) and "Time to Say Goodbye" left Ranieri misty-eyed, and Bocelli's revealing of a Leicester City shirt was the perfect way the kick-start the party.

1. Aguerooooooo

Manchester City had, somehow, found a way to "Manchester City it" in the worst way imaginable on the closing day of the 2011-12 campaign.

Joleon Lescott inadvertently assisted Djibril Cisse, and Jamie Mackie converted a far-post header to give relegation-threatened, 10-man Queens Park Rangers a 2-1 lead over City after 66 minutes. A loss had hated foe Manchester United atop the division with a three-point cushion.

Seemingly down and out, Edin Dzeko scored a header in stoppage time to reduce the deficit at the top of the table to two points. It was cruel for City fans. Time was edging away, and in QPR manager Mark Hughes, an ex-United forward who was sacked by City in controversial circumstances, there was a willing orchestrator to the home side's downfall.

Then Sergio Aguero received the ball 30 yards away from Paddy Kenny's goal, producing a give-and-go with Mario Balotelli which changed the course of English football history. With a hop over ex-City man Nedum Onuoha's outstretched leg and a lash into the net, the celebrations of United players and followers in Sunderland were promptly halted.

The figures of 93 minutes and 20 seconds were etched into the minds of City supporters forever.

Under Roberto Mancini's wing, the club had won the league on goal difference, and in the most dramatic and cruellest fashion possible.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)