Last Saturday was my mum’s birthday.

She read her son’s column in sunny Florida, so I will use this to say Happy Birthday again, and it also saves me sending a card!

It was also 17 years to the day when I scored my best and most famous goal.

It came in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The game was full of stars, in the red of Manchester United were Irwin, Keane, Solskjaer and Cantona.

Also playing for Manchester United that day were home-grown names like Neville, Butt, Scholes and Beckham.

In the blue of Chelsea we had Leboeuf, Di Matteo, Hughes and Vialli.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Ruud Gullit were the managers in opposite dug-outs.

We were strong and one of the few teams that went to Old Trafford expecting to get a result, and this was pre-Abramovich era It was my first visit to Old Trafford, but I wasn’t nervous at all. I was more concerned if my brother Ian and best mate Warren had got into the ground.

If you have never visited Old Trafford or watched a game there, I suggest you do – it’s a fantastic stadium, truly remarkable.

Maybe I should describe my goal for you, just in case you are one of the few that hasn’t seen it!

Our captain and England international, Dennis Wise, put in a good delivery from a corner, but I still had some work to do. I jumped like Michael Jordan in his prime and powered in a header with as much power as a Mike Tyson punch.

The ball hit the floor with such ferocity it shot past outstretched keeper Peter Schmeichel and left the man on the post, Denis Irwin, stranded. I hope that paints the picture for you, and for those who might need reminding.

After scoring my goal, I remember thinking to myself that I hope nobody else scores in this game, especially not them!

I was actually on a goalscoring hot streak as I had just scored the winner for my country in an England Under 21 game away to Georgia.

I wanted the headlines, more headlines, and I wanted them to be all about me!

Gianluca Vialli and David May denied me that, but we still won the game and my goal is still talked about.

I remember months later, my goal celebration was used in a Sky Sports advert. It was put on a massive billboard on the busy North Circular road (the one you use to get to Wembley).

People always asked about the goal and still congratulate me.

It made a great birthday present for my mum at the time.

I’m very proud of it and obviously it’s much nicer having a conversation about a goal I scored at Old Trafford than a couple of own goals at the Kassam!