Cottee's Birthday – Ten Memorable Premier League Strikes
After a year with Malaysian side Selangor FA, the England international, capped seven times for the Three Lions, headed to Filbert Street to strengthen City's forward line in 1997. Following a short loan spell at Birmingham City, to regain match fitness, Cottee returned to Leicester.
He instantly made a big impact for Martin O'Neill's men. From a maiden goal at Old Trafford, to his final effort against Bradford City in May 2000, the London-born striker proved his unique Premier League pedigree while in the Club's colours.
With a top-flight scoring record bettered only by Alan Shearer and Ian Rush over the past 50 years, Cottee netted a total of 214 goals across 18 seasons in the First Division and Premier League eras. Twenty-seven of those came during his three seasons as Fox - and here are 10 of our favourites...
Manchester United 0 Leicester City 1
Old Trafford
Saturday 31 January, 1998
Following his return from Birmingham, Cottee could hardly have selected a bigger stage to open his Leicester account. Sir Alex Ferguson's reigning Premier League champions were the hosts and, in the 30th minute, Garry Parker's forward ball was collected by Cottee, who allowed the ball to bounce before smashing it beyond Peter Schmeichel in the Red Devils' net.
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 2
Old Trafford
Saturday 15 August, 1998
Another daunting trip to the Theatre of Dreams came on the opening day of the 1998/99 season, but despite an admirable result, City would have been disappointed not to take all three points. Following Emile Heskey's early opener, Cottee got on the end of Robbie Savage's cross to make it 2-0 to Leicester on 76 minutes. Late efforts from Teddy Sheringham and David Beckham, though, denied the visitors victory.
Leicester City 2 Everton 0
Filbert Street
Saturday 22 August, 1998
A week later, City's No.27 was on the scoresheet once more, expertly chipping Thomas Myhre in the Everton net to give the Foxes a one-goal lead at Filbert Street. Muzzy Izzet's first goal of the season, just before the break, doubled Leicester's advantage, which they'd maintain to make it an excellent start to their third consecutive campaign in the Premier League.
Leicester City 1 Liverpool 0
Filbert Street
Saturday 31 October, 1998
Both Leicester and Cottee were flying in October, with five goals from the man himself helping his side secure four wins in five - over Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, Charlton Athletic and Liverpool. The visit of the Reds to Filbert Street was settled by Cottee's neat 79th-minute header, following good work by Emile Heskey on the right wing.
Leicester City 2 Aston Villa 2
Filbert Street
Tuesday 6 April, 1999
Despite enjoying a largely successful season, which included Cottee's trio of goals across two legs in the League Cup Semi-Finals against Sunderland, O'Neill's men were behind, with the clock ticking, during the visit of Aston Villa to Leicester in April 1999. Steve Guppy's cross, though, was placed perfectly for Cottee to nod it beyond Mark Bosnich and rescue a 2-2 draw for the home side.
Leicester City 2 Liverpool 2
Filbert Street
Saturday 18 September, 1999
A dramatic clash with Liverpool got off to a great start as Muzzy Izzet's through ball found Cottee in space, before he proceeded to skip past Sander Westerveld and put Leicester ahead inside 120 seconds. A first-half brace from Michael Owen turned the game on its head before Frank Sinclair was sent off. Izzet, however, restored parity with four minutes to play, as David Thompson was also dismissed for the Reds.
Leicester City 2 Southampton 1
Filbert Street
Saturday 16 October, 1999
Cottee didn't care too much how he scored - he just wanted to find the net. His ability to find just the right spot in the penalty area was proved again in October 1999, waiting patiently for a loose ball to fall his way to double City's lead over Southampton, following Steve Guppy's opener. Marian Pahars got one back for the Saints, but City held out for the win.
Leicester City 2 Wimbledon 1
Filbert Street
Saturday 20 November, 1999
Just 60 seconds after falling behind to Marcus Gayle's strike for the Dons, up stepped Cottee to level the scores, latching onto Robbie Savage's header back across goal. He was there again just before the hour-mark, too, receiving the ball from Emile Heskey to convert from close range.
Liverpool 0 Leicester City 2
Anfield
Wednesday 3 May, 2000
Cottee was proving to be a real thorn in Liverpool's side and he struck against the Merseyside giants once more inside the opening two minutes of a brilliant 2-0 win at Anfield. Neil Lennon's chipped pass was perfect and, after chesting the ball down, Cottee did the rest. Phil Gilchrist netted City's second after the interval, meanwhile, to stun the home crowd into silence.
Leicester City 3 Bradford City 0
Filbert Street
Saturday 6 May, 2000
The ex-Everton man's 27th and final Premier League goal for the Club came on a memorable day for Foxes fans, as they basked in a fourth-consecutive top-10 finish at the end of a campaign which also included their second League Cup triumph in three seasons. After Matt Elliott's double, Cottee's excellent turn and finish wrapped up a throughly impressive top-flight goalscoring career at Leicester City.