In Focus: Five players who came back to haunt their former clubs

You could be forgiven for forgetting about Joshua King’s spell with Everton. 

The 29-year-old striker signed in January and left in June having played a grand total of 138 minutes for the Toffees in the Premier League. 

But upon his return to Goodison Park with new club Watford on Saturday, the Norway international hit a hat-trick — helping Claudio Ranieri claim his first win in charge of the Hornets. 

We turn the spotlight on five other players who have haunted their former clubs.

Danny Welbeck vs Manchester United

Danny Welbeck found himself surplus to requirements at Manchester United following the arrivals of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao during the summer of 2014. 

The United academy graduate was sacrificed as Arsenal splashed a reported £16million on him in a bid to bolster their attacking ranks. 

Louis van Gaal, who was in charge at Old Trafford at the time, was unapologetic about the decision to sell. 

He said: "He [Welbeck] doesn't have the record of Robin van Persie or Wayne Rooney. We let him go because of Falcao but also to allow the youngsters to fit in. That is the policy. That is why I am here." 

The two teams met in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup that season with Welbeck — perhaps inevitably — scoring what proved to be the winner just after the hour mark.

Falcao did not make it off the bench while Di Maria was sent off for two bookable offences as the Red Devils crashed out of the competition.

Fernando Morientes vs Real Madrid

Fernando Morientes was not enough of a big name to survive the influx of Galacticos at Real Madrid. 

The former Spain international had scored 82 goals across five seasons prior to Brazilian superstar Ronaldo’s arrival in 2002. 

Having seen his playing time take a significant hit in 2002-03, Morientes was sent out on loan to Monaco for the following campaign. 

Few could have envisaged the Ligue 1 side facing off against Real Madrid in the Champions League that season — which is perhaps why no clause was included to prevent him from playing in the match. 

But in a twist of fate, Monaco met the Spanish giants in the quarter-finals of the competition, with the French side going through on away goals after the two teams played out a 5-5 classic over two legs. 

Morientes netted in both those matches en route to claiming the Champions League top goalscorer award with nine strikes helping the French outfit reach the final only to lose to Porto.

Robin van Persie vs Arsenal

Robin van Persie felt the wrath of Arsenal supporters following his comments upon signing for United in 2012. 

He said: "I'm a lover of football. Manchester United breathe football. 

"I always listen to the little boy inside of me in these situations — when you have to make the harder decisions in life — that boy was screaming for Man United."

The Dutchman had been Arsenal’s main man after eight campaigns in North London. 

But with just 12 months left on his deal, the club agreed to sell him to the Red Devils. 

Van Persie went on to fire Sir Alex Ferguson’s men to the Premier League title, netting 26 goals in the process — and two of those came against his former employers. 

He opened the scoring at Old Trafford in a 2-1 win against the Gunners and then — having received a guard of honour — the former Feyenoord player fired home the equaliser from the spot in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.

Christian Benteke vs Liverpool

Liverpool went 68 Premier League games without defeat at Anfield before their collapse last season saw them lose six on the bounce. 

Prior to that first loss to Burnley in January, the last time the Reds were beaten at home was in April 2017 when Crystal Palace visited Merseyside. 

Despite falling behind to an early Philippe Coutinho goal, the Eagles went on to snatch all three points as Christian Benteke netted twice to secure a massive three points for the Londoners having arrived from Liverpool during the summer transfer window,

Emmanuel Adebayor vs Arsenal

We all remember that infamous celebration. 

Emmanuel Adebayor rose highest to nod home a Shaun Wright-Phillips cross and put Manchester City 3-1 up at home to former club Arsenal in 2009. 

The now retired Togo international then sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the away fans.

It was the first time Adebayor had faced the Gunners following his controversial £25.5million move — and it was was a feisty affair

The striker went in hard on Cesc Fabregas early in the game and then appeared to kick out at Van Persie as the Citizens won 4-2. 

But the game is far less memorable for the scoreline than it is for Adebayor’s remarkable antics.