Kevin Phillips started for England on this day in 1999, as the Three Lions defeated Belgium in a friendly at the Stadium of Light.
Phillips started up front alongside Mag rival Alan Shearer. England had already qualified for Euro 2000, so the friendly was intended as a warm-up for Kevin Keegan's side heading into the tournament.
Keegan handed international debut's to Steve Guppy and Frank Lampard, and it was the latter who registered an assist after just six minutes. His shot was mis-hit into the ground, but it bounced up perfectly for none other than Shearer to score an overhead kick.
Belgium began to dominate since conceding, and their equaliser came eight minutes after Shearer's goal. Overlapping full-back David Oyen latched on to a penetrating pass from Gilles De Bilde, and his low cross was turned into an unguarded net by Branko Strupar.
Some suspect defending highlighted England's concerns going into the Euros.
At half time Keegan "went ballistic", and both teams went into the second half having changed their goalkeepers. Nigel Martyn replaced David Seaman in goal.
Belgium again were the brighter team in the early stages of the second half, and it took an England double substitution to kick the players into gear. Super Kev, who in all honesty hadn't had a chance at goal all game, was replaced by Michael Owen. Kieron Dyer was also replaced by Gary Neville.
It was Jamie Redknapp who put England ahead, with his first international goal. It was a sensational strike from around 30 yards, going in off the crossbar.
But young starlet Owen would be the player who caused Belgium's defence the most problems, twisting and turning, winning fouls and creating half-chances out of nothing. He was booked for a dive in the box, but never gave the defence a minute's rest and was a great outlet as we held onto the win.
There were no more goals, and Keegan said this at full time: "Okay, we changed the system but basic things like passing the ball, getting round people, weren't being done. We got at them in the second half, made chances, but I'm never going to be pleased with a performance like that."
Phillips couldn't score in front of the crowd that adored him so much - most fans probably showed up just to watch him play. But he earned an international cap due to his sensational club form, and would be selected in the Euro 2000 squad.
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