Premier League 100: Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and the moments that made the icons

The long wait is over after The Independent counted down the top 100 players in Premier League history.

The final list has sparked widespread debate with each of the players in the upper echelons of the list having left a profound impact on the game in this country.

Whether it was rare skill and ingenuity, or the leadership and desire to help carve out a piece of history, sparking a cacophony of chants from the stands that stick for a lifetime.

If the Premier League era was split in half, the most recent period has seen an influx of talent from around the globe, helping to cultivate a philosophy among fans in the entire country and in their particular tribes.

So here are the moments that define the finest seen over nearly three decades.

Thierry Henry’s genius was his ability to redefine what was possible. It was often his breathless speed that beat opponents, yet United discovered Henry was capable of outthinking them too.

Like a seasoned chess player thinking several moves ahead of his opponent, Henry positioned his body in such a way to allow himself an unchallenged first touch, flicking the ball up and to his side.

And before United could crowd him out Henry slashed the ball on the volley up and over a helpless Fabian Barthez to bring his adoring fans to their feet in celebration.

On an unthinkable three-year run at the time without a title, Man United were in the process of wrestling the title away from Chelsea. With a chance to move nine points clear with victory at Fulham, United were being held at the Cottage, until Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up with stoppage time fast approaching.

Dancing in off the left wing near the half-way line, Ronaldo evaded crude challenges before fizzing a low shot into the bottom right corner to spark pandemonium.

The title would eventually find its way back to Old Trafford that season, with Ronaldo’s timely winner the crucial moment where Sir Alex Ferguson’s side truly believed.

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That FA Cup goal against Arsenal is the ultimate the quintessential Giggs moment, yet years earlier at Middlesbrough on the final day of the season in 1996.

After jaunting infield, Giggs showed his snake hips to work some space, before slashing across the ball enough to start the ball wide and bend it back into the bottom corner.

Giggs’ longevity is unrivalled, but his bravery on the ball was sometimes overlooked and this was a key example of this, sensing a moment and grasping it.

This game was perhaps defined more by his confrontation with Patrick Vieira following the Frenchman’s late challenge to spark a brawl as the emotions boiled over. But Keane also demonstrated his quality.

A double sealed a memorable victory for United at Highbury, setting the tone for the campaign, where United would predictably go on to win their 13th title.

Keane ultimately coped better amid the chaotic scenes, dispatching two chances in a famous win.

Chelsea were clearly the best side in the country in 2005, yet without the prior experience of capturing a Premier League title, the journey felt troublesome.

The Blues handled a trip to Bolton without much fuss though, with Frank Lampard stepping up to make the difference. In the infancy of his staggering 177 goal haul in the top tier, Lampard with 60 minutes on the clock, sniffed a goal after Didier Drogba’s hopeful flick-on.

Lampard was too strong for Vincent Candela, discarding him to the turf before stepping inside Tal Ben Haim and slamming the ball home to send Chelsea on their way. A second after calmly rounding Jussi Jaaskelainen confirmed the title and the start of one of the more dominant periods of English football.

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Wayne Rooney’s game was predicated on his physicality, yet his improvisation often mattered in the biggest moments.

Nani’s cross was drifting behind Rooney, but falling from the sky, the No 10 acrobatically adjusted his body to slam the ball into the corner.

A natural talent who revelled on the biggest stage and will forever be revered for scoring such a spectacular winner in the derby. The stuff of dreams.

The all-time Premier League top scorer could finish in a multitude of ways, yet the pure force displayed in his violent volley against Everton in 2002 was a sight to behold.

Met flush with a picture-perfect pose at impact, the ball exploded off his boot, flying into the back of the net as St James’ Park erupted.

It was fitting in a side that swept so many opponents away as an attacking juggernaut (totalling 103 goals over the season, a record before Manchester City’s 106 last term), that John Terry would step up, late, against a resolute Burnley side when it mattered most.

Terry’s focus enabled him to perform at the top for so long and it was his ability to block out the torrent of abuse barked in his direction at Turf Moor following extramarital affair allegations that secured what would become three precious points.

The Blues scraped home in the title race after an avalanche of goals in their final three matches, hitting 17 goals and conceding none, but it was Terry’s vital winner that was most valuable in landing the third title of the Roman Abramovich era.

Responsible for setting the tone and enabling more expansive players to sparkle and shine during Arsene Wenger’s revolution, Vieira was also capable of joining the party when he wanted.

As the Gunners demolished Everton 7-0 in 2005, Vieira, galloping forward, showed his more delicate side after meeting a clever ball from Dennis Bergkamp slipped in behind the Toffees’ back line.

A scooped finish over a despairing Richard Wright capped a delicious move, encapsulating just what Wenger’s sides at the best became known for.

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Perhaps the best player to never have won the PFA Player of the Year, Sergio Aguero has represented a reliable source of goals in Manchester City’s greatest period.

In 2012 City were attempting to shake the stigma long since associated with the club for their ability to spurn opportunities for glory. City were top on goal difference ahead of bitter rivals United heading into the final game, yet froze to leave themselves 2-1 down heading into stoppage time.

But after Edin Dzeko’s equaliser, Mario Balotelli shuffled the ball towards the onrushing Aguero, who dispatched the finish to spark mayhem at the Etihad. The protagonist in the greatest Premier League moment.