Premier League's top teens after Ferguson's Toon treble

Brighton striker Evan Ferguson cemented his reputation as a Premier League star in the making with his hat-trick against Newcastle last Saturday.

The Irishman, still only 18, became the fourth-youngest hat-trick scorer in the competition's history with his superb treble against the Toon.

After impressively breaking through last season, he looks nailed on to be the latest teenager to take the English top flight by storm, following in the footsteps of a number of starlets of the past.

We look at some of the best teenagers in Premier League history.

Cesc Fabregas

Few teens have impressed in England more than Cesc Fabregas did for Arsenal, when he became the creative centrepiece of Arsene Wenger's midfield in the post-Patrick Vieira era.

He was named Gunners captain aged just 21 and is second for all-time Premier League assists from his stints in North London and at Chelsea later in his career.

Wayne Rooney

At Everton, Wayne Rooney was responsible for one of English football's most iconic moments from a teenager with his stunning winner against Arsenal still aged just 16.

Snapped up by Manchester United at 18, the former England captain continued to ravage defences up and down the country, with only Alan Shearer scoring more Premier League goals than his eventual 208 before later being surpassed by Harry Kane.

Robbie Fowler

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler netted a whopping 35 Premier League goals as a teenager in the early 90s.

The Toxteth-born No9 went on to bag 183 goals for the Reds in total — 128 of which were in the top flight, before spells at Leeds, Manchester City and Blackburn.

Michael Owen

On only five occasions has a Premier League hat-trick been scored by a player younger than Evan Ferguson — and Michael Owen accounts for three such instances.

A teenage sensation at Liverpool, Owen went on to enjoy a superb career but injuries arguably restricted it from becoming a truly great one. 

Joe Cole

Similar may be said for Joe Cole, who was regarded as the future of the England national side when he broke into West Ham's first team as a fresh-faced youngster.

The skilful left-sided midfielder still enjoyed an impressive career, winning three Premier League titles with Chelsea and racking up 56 caps for the Three Lions.

Micah Richards

Whether Micah Richards really did "burst on to the scene" or not may have been questioned by fellow pundit Roy Keane but it is easy to forget how highly he was rated in his early days at Manchester City.

The former right-back became a Citizens regular after making his debut as a 17-year-old and just a year later he became England's youngest ever defender.

Raheem Sterling

One of two players to make this list who are still starring in the Premier League, Raheem Sterling has gone on to forge a fine career since his impressive Liverpool breakthrough.

Now at Chelsea after a trophy-laden spell with City, Sterling was handed his top-flight debut aged 17 and formed a devastating attacking trio with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge at Anfield.

Bukayo Saka

It is not long since Bukayo Saka was catching the eye as a teenage prospect and his stunning rise is still showing no signs of slowing up.

Becoming a first-team regular at only 18, Saka already had an FA Cup winners' medal before he reached 20 and will be crucial to the Gunners' hopes of a major title this term.