On May 11, 2003, Jesper Gronkjaer scored the most important goal in Chelsea's history.
The Dane knew it was a crucial strike at the time. Champions League qualification was on the line for both Chelsea and Liverpool as they faced off at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the Premier League season, but the cash-strapped hosts were particularly desperate for victory.
Indeed, Chelsea's then-chief executive Trevor Birch told the players in the dressing room before kick-off that they needed to win to help the club avoid financial ruin.
The future looked bleak when Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia opened the scoring after 11 minutes, only for Gronkjaer to take centre stage as he crossed for Marcel Desailly to quickly level matters before then netting himself after cutting into the Liverpool penalty box just before the half-hour mark and firing home left-footed to secure a fourth-placed finish for his side.
Six weeks later, Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea, with their presence in the Champions League having played a massive role in the Russian oligarch's decision.
Abramovich would go on to invest more than £1 billion in the club over the next 15 years, as Chelsea became one of the biggest and most successful clubs in Europe, winning five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, two Europa Leagues and a Champions League.
Gronkjaer's winner against Liverpool, then, did not just help save Chelsea from financial ruin; it also helped them become a member of Europe's elite.
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