On this day - 24 July

Academy graduate Michael Carrick made his senior West Ham United bow on this day 16 years ago.

Thanks to Paul Kitson's goal, the Hammers took a slender 1-0 advantage to Helsinki, in this, the return leg of an Intertoto Cup third-round clash with Finland's FC Jokerit.

The tie, however, was all square after 33 minutes, as Harry Redknapp's men teetered on the edge of a sobering exit.

But with 20 minutes to play and extra-time beckoning, Frank Lampard bagged the all important away goal to set up a semi-final clash with Dutch oufit SC Heerenveen.      

Though something of a sidenote on the day, there was also a first outing for a young Michael Carrick, who replaced Paolo Di Canio in the latter stages.

Four days short of his 18th birthday, Carrick's debut senior appearance was to herald a distinguished career in claret and blue, one that ultimately brought 159 appearances and six goals.