It was quintessentially Hughes to deliver such a spectacular moment, and when he received a cross from Eric Cantona, he wasted no time in making his move.
Positioning himself perfectly, the talented volleyer unleashed a powerful finish past Martyn, ignoring the defenders’ protests, and igniting a wave of excitement among the away fans.
“I did think I was offside,” Sparky confessed when I asked him about this unforgettable moment. “Fortunately, it wasn’t called. If there had been VAR, it might have been disallowed, but the execution and the goal still mattered.”
“That was my favorite way to strike the ball, rather than heading it in or tapping it lightly. It was satisfying to see it hit the back of the net. That’s how I trained. Often, before matches, I’d be out there honing my skills, working on both left and right foot. I’d wait for the ball to drop perfectly for a shot.
“I felt more at ease with that approach; it came more naturally to me. When the ball came over in a match, I simply replicated what I practiced in training.”
