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 Middlesbrough 9 Brighton & Hove Albion 0, second tier, August 23, 1958
The abrasive Brian Clough has been given the captaincy in the summer and, in his first game in the role, he scores five against a Brighton team who will finish ahead of Middlesbrough in the final table.
Middlesbrough 4, Newcastle United 1, second tier, May 5, 1990
On a day when defeat would send Middlesbrough down, they escape by thrashing their local rivals with two goals each by Bernie Slaven, the former Ireland international, and Ian Baird, the centre forward.
Middlesbrough 4 FC Basle 1, Uefa Cup quarter-final, second leg, April 6, 2006
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Middlesbrough go one down. Mark Viduka scores either side of half-time, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink adds a third before Massimo Maccarone completes the comeback in the last minute.
Middlesbrough 4, Steaua Bucharest 2, Uefa Cup semi-final, second leg, April 27, 2006
One-nil down from the away leg and 2-0 behind on Teesside, Middlesbrough again need four goals in the last hour. Amazingly, Maccarone scores before half-time, Viduka and Chris Riggott make it 3-2 after the break and Maccarone, left, mirrors his quarter-final heroics with an 89th-minute winner.
1: Red Star Belgrade 4 Panathinaikos 1; Panathinaikos 3 Red Star 0, 1971
The away goals rule applies to all rounds this season, not just the first two rounds, as in the past. Panathinaikos, coached by Ferenc Puskas, have seen off Everton by this method in the quarter-finals and, after they lose 4-1 in Belgrade, the Greek side again advance on away goals as Anton Antoniadis scores twice in the return.
2: Gothenburg 3 Barcelona 0; Barcelona 3 Gothenburg 0 (Barcelona win 5-4 on pens), 1986
This is the first season in which English clubs are banned from Europe in the aftermath of the Heysel disaster but Terry Venables is the Barcelona coach. His team are up against it after a heavy defeat in the first leg in Sweden but Pichi Alonso’s hat-trick in Spain forces extra time and a penalty shoot-out that they win.
3: Bayern Munich 1 Red Star Belgrade 2; Red Star 2 Bayern Munich 2, 1991
Red Star inflict Bayern’s first home defeat in Europe and then scramble to the final in dramatic circumstances. With the German team 2-1 up a minute from the end of the second leg and extra time looming, Sinisa Mihajlovic’s cross for Red Star is met at full stretch by Klaus Augenthaler, of Bayern, who spoons the ball over his goalkeeper and into the net.
4: Manchester United 1 Juventus 1; Juventus 2 Manchester United 3, 1999
Ryan Giggs scores a late equaliser in the first leg at Old Trafford but United trail 2-0 to two Filippo Inzaghi goals in the first ten minutes in Turin. Roy Keane and Dwight Yorke put United ahead on away goals by half-time and Andy Cole completes the amazing turnaround by scoring his side’s third six minutes from time.
 Southampton 1 Manchester United 0, FA Cup Final, May 1, 1976
Southampton could not gain promotion from the second tier in this season, but against a United team that had held hopes of a Double, they pull off one of the greatest Cup Final shocks. Jim McCalliog’s pass sends Bobby Stokes clear to score.
Southampton 4 Marseilles 0, Cup Winners’ Cup first round, first leg, September 15, 1976
Still a second-tier team, Southampton start their European campaign by thrashing the French side, with two goals from Mick Channon and one each by Malcolm Waldron and Peter Osgood.
Southampton 8 Coventry City 2, top division, April 28, 1984
Southampton, who will finish the season as runners-up to Liverpool go on the rampage thanks to hat-tricks by Danny Wallace and Steve Moran and a goal each from David Armstrong and Frank Worthington.
 Southampton 3 Arsenal 2, top division, May 19, 2001
Southampton twice come from behind, each time via a goal from Hassan Kachloul, before Matthew Le Tissier scores the winner, two minutes from time, in the last competitive match at The Dell.
Coventry 4, Liverpool 0, top flight, December 10, 1983
Liverpool, in their pomp, are en route to retaining their league title during a season when they will also win the European Cup and League Cup. Yet they are swept away as Terry Gibson scores the first hat-trick against them for 11 years.
Coventry 3, Tottenham Hotspur 2, FA Cup Final, May 16, 1987
In Coventry’s only FA Cup Final to date, they trail twice to Clive Allen’s early goal and Gary Mabbutt’s fortunate effort. But Dave Bennett taps home and also sets up Keith Houchen’s diving header before Lloyd McGrath’s extra-time cross diverts in off Mabbutt’s outstretched leg.
Tottenham Hotspur 1, Coventry 2, top flight, May 11, 1997
Second bottom of the table, Coventry can avoid relegation on the final day by winning this match, provided Middlesbrough and Sunderland fail to win away. First-half goals by Dion Dublin and Paul Williams bring them victory and the other results go their way.
Coventry City 6, Derby County 2, second tier, April 30, 2005
In Coventry’s last game at Highfield Road before their move to the Ricoh Arena, they lead 4-0 at half-time against their Midlands rivals. Gary McSheffrey and Stern John score twice and Andy Whing, their young substitute, scores the last goal at the ground.
West Brom 3, Bradford Park Avenue 1, top division, April 10, 1920
In West Bromwich’s only league title-winning season in their history, they clinch the championship with four games to spare. Their 104 goals for the season — 37 of which come from Fred Morris, the England forward — is the most in a campaign up to this point.
West Brom 2, Birmingham City 1, FA Cup Final, April 25, 1931
As a second-tier team, West Bromwich overcome their top-flight local rivals at a rain-soaked Wembley. Billy Richardson gives them a half-time lead and then scores again a minute after Joe Bradford equalises for Birmingham.
Manchester United 3, West Brom 5, top division, December 30, 1978
At a snowy Old Trafford, United lead twice before Tony Brown equalises for West Brom to make it 3-3 at half-time. The visiting team secure victory with two goals in the final quarter of an hour, including the fifth, by Cyrille Regis, after a breathtaking counter-attack.
West Ham United 3, West Brom 4, second tier, November 8, 2003
Brian Deane’s first two goals for West Ham and an own goal by Phil Gilchrist put the home side three up after 17 minutes. Rob Hulse replies twice and West Ham have Jermain Defoe sent off for a bad foul before the break, after which comes an own goal by Deane and Lee Hughes’s winner.
Manchester United 4 Tottenham Hotspur 1: Cup Winners’ Cup second round, second leg (agg 4-3), December 10, 1963
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg in the first all-English European tie, United, winners of the previous season’s FA Cup, hit back to eliminate the Cup Winners’ Cup holders. David Herd and Bobby Charlton score twice each, with Jimmy Greaves replying for Tottenham.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2: Uefa Cup final, first leg, May 3, 1972
Martin Chivers puts Tottenham in the driving seat in the only all-English European final to date. The forward scores twice in the first leg, either side of Jim McCalliog’s goal for Wolves, and the London team retain their advantage after the return match to win 3-2 on aggregate.
Nottingham Forest 2 Liverpool 0: European Cup first round, first leg, September 13, 1978
Liverpool begin their defence of the European Cup against the league champions at the City Ground and are defeated by goals from Garry Birtles and Colin Barrett. It is the latest in a series of epic battles between the teams and Forest hold on at Anfield for a 2-0 aggregate win.
Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2: Champions League quarter-final, second leg (agg 2-3), April 6, 2004
Level at 1-1 after the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal lead at half-time at Highbury thanks to a goal from José Antonio Reyes. However, Frank Lampard equalises for Chelsea after an error by Jens Lehmann, the goalkeeper, and Wayne Bridge strikes the winner with his left foot with three minutes remaining to send Chelsea into the semi-finals.
Aston Villa 4, Manchester United 6
FA Cup third round, January 10, 1948
George Edwards scores the first of his two goals for Villa after 13 seconds, but United lead 5-1 at half-time. Villa pull it back to 5-4 and then hit the bar, but Stan Pearson scores his second and United’s sixth two minutes from time.
 Manchester United 3, Barcelona 0
Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final, second leg, March 21, 1984
After losing the first leg 2-0 to Diego Maradona and Co in Spain, United lead at half-time through a Bryan Robson goal. In a fervent atmosphere, Robson and Frank Stapletonscore in quick succession in the second half.
Manchester United 2, Sheffield Wednesday 1
Premier League, April 10, 1993
United trail Aston Villa by a point with six league matches left, but while Villa draw at home to Coventry City, United come from behind with two late Steve Bruce headers to go top, where they stay to record their first title in 26 years.
Manchester United 2, Bayern Munich 1
Champions League final, May 26, 1999
Already League and FA Cup winners, United are behind for 85 minutes as they seek a unique treble. But two David Beckham corners in the dying moments of time in the Nou Camp lead to goals by two substitutes, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Wolves 3, Newcastle United 1, FA Cup Final, April 25, 1908
In driving sleet at Crystal Palace, Wolves, of the second tier, beat a Newcastle team who finish fourth in the top division. It becomes known as the “H” final as Hunt, Hedley and Harrison score for Wolves and Howie for Newcastle.
Wolves 3, Honved 2, friendly, December 13, 1954
Honved field six members of the Hungary team who had humbled England at Wembley a year earlier, but Wolves recover from 2-0 down at half-time with two Roy Swinbourne goals and one from Johnny Hancocks. Stan Cullis, the manager, proclaims Wolves world champions.
Wolves 2, Juventus 1, Uefa Cup quarter-final, second leg (Wolves win 3-2 on agg), March 22, 1972
After the first leg had finished 1-1 in Turin, Wolves beat the Italian giants at Molineux en route to the final. Goals by Danny Hegan, with a brilliant chip, and Derek Dougan see Wolves through in front of a crowd of 40,000.
Wolves 4, Leicester City 3, top flight, October 25, 2003
Two early headed goals by Les Ferdinand from corners put Leicester in control and Riccardo Scimeca adds a third before half-time. Colin Cameron pulls back two goals for Wolves, the second with a penalty, before Alex Rae heads the equaliser and Henri Camara scores the winner five minutes from time after a goalmouth scramble.
Swindon Town 3 Arsenal 1, March 15, 1969
Heavy rain and the staging of the Horse of the Year Show a few days earlier have turned Wembley into a mudbath. Swindon, from the third tier, lead at half-time through Roger Smart but Bobby Gould’s late header for their top-flight opponents forces extra time. Don Rogers scores two fine individual goals to secure the trophy.
Aston Villa 3 Everton 2 (second replay), April 13, 1977
After two draws, Bob Latchford puts Everton ahead at Old Trafford, but in the last four minutes of normal time, Chris Nicholl and Brian Little nudge Villa in front before Mike Lyons levels. Little scores the winner in extra time.
Luton Town 3 Arsenal 2, April 24, 1988
With ten minutes left, Nigel Winterburn takes a penalty that would put Arsenal 3-1 ahead but Andy Dibble saves it. Danny Wilson scrambles an equaliser and Brian Stein, with his second goal, scores Luton’s winner in the closing moments.
Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2, February 27, 2005
John Arne Riise gives Liverpool a first-minute lead but Steven Gerrard, linked with Chelsea, heads a Paulo Ferreira free kick into his own net with ten minutes left. Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman give Chelsea a 3-1 advantage in extra time, although Antonio Nunes replies to give Liverpool hope.
Leeds 7 Southampton 0, top flight, March 4, 1972
Leeds give “a performance which flowed like poetry” according to one newspaper. One seemingly endless passing movement draws olés from the crowd and would be shown repeatedly on television. Peter Lorimer supplies a second-half hat-trick, Allan Clarke scores twice and the other goals come from Mick Jones and Jack Charlton.
Barcelona 1 Leeds 1, European Cup semi-final, second leg, April 24, 1975
Having won the first leg 2-1, Leeds move farther ahead on aggregate early on at the Nou Camp. Barcelona equalise 20 minutes from time and Gordon McQueen is sent off for a punch soon afterwards, but Leeds hold out.
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Leeds 6, top flight, January 12, 1992
Leeds inflict the biggest home league defeat in their Yorkshire rivals’ history to return to the top of the table in their title-winning season. They overcome the absence of Gordon Strachan and David Batty to win through a hat-trick by Lee Chapman, the former Wednesday striker, and goals by Mike Whitlow, Tony Dorigo and Rod Wallace.
Southampton 3 Leeds 4, second tier, November 19, 2005
Southampton, inspired by Theo Walcott, lead 3-0 with 20 minutes left, but Leeds storm back to win. Paul Butler, Robbie Blake and David Healy bring them level before Liam Miller scores the 86th-minute winner.
1. Tottenham 3 Sheffield United 1, FA Cup Final replay, April 27, 1901
As a non-League club playing a Sheffield United side who were champions three years earlier, Tottenham are given little chance, but, after a 2-2 draw in the first match at Crystal Palace, they win the replay at Bolton Wanderers’ ground through goals by John Cameron, Tom Smith and Sandy Brown.
2. Tottenham 2 Leicester City 0, FA Cup Final, May 6, 1961
Almost three weeks after clinching the League title, Tottenham become the 20th century’s first Double winners. Leicester lose Len Chalmers, the defender, to an early injury, in the days when no substitutes are allowed, and Bobby Smith and Terry Dyson score late on for Tottenham.
3. Tottenham 5 Atlético Madrid 1, Cup Winners’ Cup final, May 15, 1963
After winning the Double in 1961 and the FA Cup in 1962 by defeating Burnley 2-1, Tottenham continue to collect honours as they become the first British club to win a European trophy, above. There are two goals each in Rotterdam for Jimmy Greaves and Terry Dyson, plus one for John White.
4. Tottenham 3 Manchester City 2, FA Cup Final replay, May 14, 1981
Ricky Villa puts Tottenham ahead in the first FA Cup Final replay at Wembley, but Steve Mackenzie levels brilliantly after 11 minutes. City take the lead through Kevin Reeves’s penalty, but Garth Crooks and Villa, left, after a mazy run, see Tottenham home.
January 5, 2007 — David Unsworth (Sheffield United to Wigan Athletic, nominal)
No new signing proved more valuable than Unsworth, who, in and out of Paul Jewell’s side at the latter end of his career, scored the winning penalty at Bramall Lane that relegated his former team and kept Wigan up.
January 31, 2006 — David Bentley (Arsenal to Blackburn Rovers, undisclosed)
Perceived as a risky acquisition, a young player with too much attitude who had been cast aside in a previous loan stint with Norwich City, Bentley has turned out to be Mark Hughes’s best signing at Blackburn.
January 31, 2005 — Kieran Richardson (Manchester United to West Bromwich Albion, loan)
Richardson, above left, the flashy winger, was transformed by Bryan Robson into the tough-tackling, driving central midfield player who helped West Brom to achieve the greatest relegation escape in Premier League history.
January 23, 2004 — Nigel Reo-Coker (Wimbledon to West Ham United, £575,000)
Now re-establishing his reputation with Aston Villa, it was quickly forgotten at Upton Park that Reo-Coker, left, came in and lifted Alan Pardew’s team into the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs in successive seasons before helping them to an FA Cup Final.
1. Sunderland 1 Newcastle United 6, top division, 1955
Sunderland may be challenging for the title, while their local rivals are stuck in mid-table, but Newcastle romp home despite effectively being reduced to ten men when Bobby Mitchell, the winger, injures an ankle. Jackie Milburn scores once in each half.
2. Fulham 10 Ipswich Town 1, top division, 1963
Managed by the same Jackie Milburn, Fulham record what remains their biggest victory. Graham Leggat scores four, including three in three minutes, still the fastest top-flight hat-trick since the Second World War. Bobby Howfield also scores a hat-trick.
3. Everton 2 Manchester United 6, top division, 1977
Everton come into this match unbeaten in 18 league matches, while United are in such poor form that they have lost six of their previous nine, including 4-0 at home to Nottingham Forest a week earlier. Lou Macari scores twice in a massive turn-up.
4. Sheffield Wednesday 4 Sheffield United 0, third tier, 1979
This remains the only Sheffield derby played in the third tier and the only such derby on a Boxing Day since 1908. In front of what is still a record crowd of 49,309 for this level United, the leaders, concede three second-half goals.
Derby County 4 Charlton Athletic 1, FA Cup Final, April 27, 1946
The first postwar Final is a classic, with Bert Turner, of Charlton Athletic, scoring at both ends in the last five minutes of normal time. Derby assert their authority in extra time with two goals from Jack Stamps and one from Peter Doherty.
Derby County 4 Real Madrid 1, European Cup second round, first leg, October 22, 1975
Charlie George, a recent signing from Arsenal, records a hat-trick that features two penalties and a spectacular long-range strike. David Nish scores the other goal for Derby but the English champions would be knocked out after losing the second leg 5-1.
Derby County 8 Tottenham Hotspur 2, top division, October 16, 1976
Seeking their first league win of the season at the ninth attempt having lost 5-1 to Birmingham City in their previous game, Derby lead 3-2 at half-time. They extend that to 8-2 between the 59th and 74th minutes. Bruce Rioch scores four for a side inspired by Charlie George and Leighton James.
Manchester United 2 Derby County 3, top division, April 5, 1997
United are on course to retain their title but are undone by the elusive, long-striding Paulo Wanchope, who scores for Derby along with Ashley Ward and Dean Sturridge.
West Ham 3, Eintracht Frankfurt 1, Cup Winners’ Cup, April 14, 1976
“Our best display in the club’s history,” John Lyall, the manager, said after this semi-final, second leg. Having lost the away leg 2-1, West Ham are held goalless at the break, but Trevor Brooking (two) and Keith Robson score before the Germans reply late on.
Chelsea 0, West Ham 4, top flight, March 29, 1986
With clubs having played varying numbers of league games, Chelsea are effectively joint top with Everton, but West Ham maintain their title hopes by running rings round their opponents. Tony Cottee scores two goals and Frank McAvennie, his fellow prolific striker, one.
West Ham 4, Liverpool 1, League Cup, Nov 30, 1988
Liverpool are champions and West Ham are on their way to relegation, but the tables are turned in this fourth-round tie. Paul Ince, a future Liverpool player, announces himself to the wider footballing public by scoring twice with Steve Staunton gifting an own goal and Tony Gale completing the rout with a late free kick.
West Ham 5, Bradford City 4, top flight, Feb 12, 2000
Stephen Bywater, 18, makes his West Ham debut in goal as a fifth-minute substitute for the injured Shaka Hislop and suffers as Bradford lead 4-2 with half an hour left. But the home team recover to win through goals by Paolo Di Canio, with a penalty, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard.
1. George Hilsdon, for Chelsea at home to Glossop, second division, Sept 1, 1906
On his first appearance since leaving West Ham United, Hilsdon scores five times in Chelsea’s 9-2 victory on the opening day of the season. The forward makes his England debut five months later and his goals help Chelsea to rise to the top flight.
2. Len Shackleton, for Newcastle United at home to Newport County, second division, Oct 5, 1946
In the week he joins Newcastle from Bradford Park Avenue, Shackleton scores six goals for his new team in their 13-0 victory, which remains a club-record winning scoreline. His feat includes a first-half hat-trick in 2min 35sec.
3. Colin Lee, for Tottenham Hotspur at home to Bristol Rovers, second division, Oct 22, 1977
Just signed from Torquay United, Lee scores four times on his first appearance for Tottenham as they beat Rovers 9-0. Luckily for Match of the Day it is one of their two games and it takes top billing ahead of the goalless Merseyside derby.
4. Alan Shearer, for Southampton at home to Arsenal, first division, April 9, 1988
Aged 17, the future England striker becomes the youngest player to score a hat-trick in a first start in a top-division match, breaking Jimmy Greaves’s record and helping his team to a 4-2 victory. He has previously played twice in the league as a substitute.
1: Aston Villa 3 Everton 2, FA Cup Final, April 10, 1897
On the day that Derby County’s defeat by Bury hands Villa the league title, they also complete the other half of the Double in the Cup Final at Crystal Palace. The attendance of 65,891 is the largest for a football match and, after their 1-0 lead becomes a 2-1 deficit, they recover to win.
2: Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 4, top division, Aug 30, 1930
On the opening day of the 1930-31 season, Pongo Waring scores all four goals for Villa. They would finish second in the table that season, with their league games averaging almost five goals.
3: Aston Villa 5 Liverpool 1, top division, Dec 15, 1976
Liverpool, the champions, suffer their biggest league defeat since 1963. All six goals come in the first half of this evening match, with two each by Andy Gray and John Deehan and one from Brian Little. Liverpool go on to win the League and European Cup, and Villa the League Cup.
4: Aston Villa 1 Bayern Munich 0, European Cup final, May 26, 1982
Jimmy Rimmer, the goalkeeper, limps off after nine minutes in Rotterdam and Nigel Spink, his replacement, makes several fine saves on only his second appearance. Peter Withe scuffs the winning goal in off the post.
Manchester City 3 Birmingham City 1, FA Cup Final, May 5, 1956
Bert Trautmann, the City goalkeeper, having ricked his neck before the game, breaks it when diving at Peter Murphy's feet. He is knocked cold but continues playing and the injury is diagnosed days later after he suffers great pain. City's deployment of Don Revie as a deep-lying centre forward, a copy of Hungary's strategy in thrashing England, pays off.
Manchester United 1 Manchester City 3, first division, March 27, 1968
The champions are beaten in the pivotal game of City's title-winning season. "That night at Old Trafford we never saw which way they went," an impressed George Best, the Manchester United winger, recalls later.
Continue reading "The greatest . . . Manchester City games" »
Liverpool 7 Everton 4, top division, February 11, 1933
Nearly 75 years before Portsmouth beat Reading 7-4, these rivals produced the same scoreline at Anfield, with Harold Barton, the young right winger, scoring a hat-trick for Liverpool. The two sides would eventually finish in mid-table positions.
Liverpool 0 Everton 4, top division, September 19, 1964
Bill Shankly achieved his first league title as Liverpool manager a few months earlier and Everton were depleted by injuries. However, Derek Temple put the visiting team ahead, Fred Pickering added a second and Colin Harvey volleyed another. John Morrissey completed the scoring.
Everton 0 Liverpool 5, top division, November 6, 1982
Liverpool struck the bar and post before Ian Rush gave them the lead and then Glenn Keeley, on loan from Blackburn Rovers and playing his only match for Everton, was sent off for pulling back Kenny Dalglish near goal. Rush scored four, with Mark Lawrenson providing the other goal.
Everton 4 Liverpool 4, FA Cup, February 20, 1991
Twice Graeme Sharp, of Everton, equalised a goal by Peter Beardsley in this fifth-round replay and then Tony Cottee, also of Everton, came up with two equalisers of his own at the end of normal and extra time. Kenny Dalglish resigned as Liverpool manager shortly afterwards.
What kind of club dismiss their manager after a draw on the opening day of the season? That was the question that Carlisle United supporters were asking when Neil McDonald went after the 1-1 draw away to Walsall two months ago. McDonald had guided Carlisle to eighth place in Coca-Cola League One last season but Fred Story, the owner, said that the club had lost confidence in the former Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace coach.
Gregg Abbott, the first-team coach, was appointed caretaker manager and his record — two defeats in eight league matches — should have secured him the job permanently, but Story announced last Tuesday that John Ward had agreed to swap Cheltenham Town for Brunton Park to become the club’s third manager in three months.
Continue reading "Postcard from...Carlisle United" »
1. England 1 Scotland 5, Home International Championship, March 31, 1928
The five-man Scotland forward line, all 5ft 7in or shorter, skim around a slippery pitch to inspire the team’s nickname of the Wembley Wizards. Alec Jackson scores a hat-trick and Alex James grabs the other two.
2. Spain 2 Scotland 6, friendly, June 13, 1963
Spain would go on to become European champions a year later, but on this summer’s day they are humiliated by a Scotland side for whom six players find the back of the net: Ian St John, Dave Wilson, Denis Law, Willie Henderson, David Gibson and Frank McLintock.
3. Scotland 3 Holland 2, World Cup finals group match, June 11, 1978
Scotland messed up their campaign by losing to Peru and drawing with Iran, but, needing a three-goal victory over Holland to reach the next group stage, they seem on course to achieve it when Archie Gemmill jinks through the defence to make it 3-1.
4. France 0 Scotland 1, European Championship qualifier, September 12, 2007
Scotland have already beaten the former world and European champions 1-0 at home in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and they repeat the scoreline in Paris via James McFadden’s swerving, dipping shot from 30 yards.
1 Ajax 1 Celtic 3, Champions League, Aug 8, 2001
A majestic performance against the four-time winners puts Celtic on course to reach the group stage for the first time. Bobby Petta, Didier Agathe and Chris Sutton score the goals to cap a fine display in this first leg. Ajax, who reply through Shota Arveladze, are eliminated despite a 1-0 victory in the return leg.
2 Celtic 4 Juventus 3, Champions League, Oct 31, 2001
Celtic achieve the ultimate heroic failure by beating the Italian giants, only to miss out on qualifying for the second group stage. At 36, Lubo Moravcik inspires the victory after Alessandro Del Piero puts Juventus in front. Chris Sutton scores twice, but the Italians keep the result in doubt until the end.
3 Liverpool 0 Celtic 2, Uefa Cup, March 20, 2003
Desperate to prove they are a match for a leading English team, Celtic succeed through a first-half free kick from Alan Thompson and a powerful late drive by John Hartson to earn a 3-1 aggregate success. It is the first time in 29 years that Celtic have reached a European semi-final.
4 Celtic 1 Man United 0, Champions League, Nov 21, 2006
Facing a United team who will win the league title that season, Celtic pull off a big surprise after Shunsuke Nakamura curls home a magnificent free kick ten minutes from time. Louis Saha’s last-minute penalty miss ensures that Celtic qualify for the knockout phase with one group match to play.
1 Newcastle 2 Inter Milan 0, Fairs Cup, September 30, 1970
Newcastle have drawn the away leg 1-1 in this first-round tie but face a huge task against an Inter team who would win the Italian league title that season. In an explosive match, Lido Vieri, the Inter goalkeeper, is sent off for punching the referee in the stomach and two policemen have to escort the player from the field. Newcastle face much provocation but keep their heads and progress through goals from Bobby Moncur and Wyn Davies.
2 Newcastle 5 Manchester United 0, Premiership, October 20, 1996
Manchester United have overhauled Newcastle to win the previous season’s title, then beaten Kevin Keegan’s team 4-0 in the Charity Shield and are now unbeaten in the league this season. But they are overwhelmed at St James’ Park as Darren Peacock and David Ginola put Newcastle two ahead at the break before the scoring is completed by Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and, with an outrageous chip, Philippe Albert.
3 Newcastle 3 Barcelona 2, Champions League, September 17, 1997
Newcastle’s first Champions League group match produces an unforgettable night for the club and for Faustino Asprilla, who scores a hat-trick. The Colombia forward opens the scoring with a penalty after he is fouled and his second and third goals are headers from crosses by the magnificent Keith Gillespie. Barcelona respond with goals by Luis Enrique and Luis Figo, but Newcastle hold on.
4 Leeds United 3 Newcastle 4, Premiership, December 22, 2001
Leeds, unbeaten at home in the league for 11 months, fall behind to Craig Bellamy’s goal but then take a 3-1 lead through a goal and two assists by Lee Bowyer, who a week earlier has been cleared of affray and grievous bodily harm with intent. Leeds would leapfrog Newcastle at the top of the table with a win, but the visiting team respond with a Robbie Elliott header, an Alan Shearer penalty and a last-minute winner from Nolberto Solano.
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Everton 3, Sheffield Wednesday 2, FA Cup Final, May 14, 1966
England-West Germany is not the only great Wembley final this summer to feature a fine comeback. Everton are two behind with nearly an hour played when Mike Trebilcock, so surprising a selection that he is not in the match-day programme, scores twice within six minutes before Derek Temple grabs the winner.
Everton 5, Manchester United 0, top division, October 27, 1984
Howard Kendall’s Everton are in fourth place before kick-off but, having beaten Liverpool at Anfield a week earlier, they thrash United and gain an overwhelming title victory. Kevin Sheedy (two), Adrian Heath, Graeme Sharp and Gary Stevens score.
Everton 3, Bayern Munich 1, April 24, 1985, Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final, second leg
After a goalless first leg, Everton trail at half-time to Dieter Hoeness’s strike. But, in a frenzied atmosphere, Graeme Sharp equalises from a flick by Andy Gray, who then puts the home side ahead after a long throw-in. Trevor Steven scores the third.
Continue reading "The greatest... Everton matches" »
1. August 15, 1992: Crystal Palace 3 Blackburn Rovers 3
Newly rich, Blackburn have arrived in the top flight for the launch of the Premier League and Alan Shearer marks his debut by scoring twice, including a long-range effort. But Simon Osborn spoils their fun with a last-minute equaliser for Palace.
2. August 17, 1996: Middlesbrough 3 Liverpool 3
Fabrizio Ravanelli has surprisingly joined Middlesbrough shortly after scoring to help Juventus to win the Champions League final. His first opponents, Liverpool, take the lead three times, but the grey-haired Italian striker responds with a hat-trick and brings his shirt-over-the-head celebration to the English game.
3. August 9, 1997: Coventry City 3 Chelsea 2
Chelsea, who have designs on the league title after lifting the FA Cup three months earlier, twice take the lead, the second time through Tore Andre Flo on his debut. But they are foiled by Dion Dublin’s hat-trick, with his last two goals coming in the final ten minutes, the winner after a mistake by Frank Leboeuf.
4. August 18, 2001: Leicester City 0 Bolton Wanderers 5
Leicester, who finished well clear of the relegation zone, are expected to achieve an easy win at home to newly-promoted Bolton. But Bolton are four up at half-time and by the end Leicester fans are chanting for the dismissal of Peter Taylor.
1. Liverpool 0 Arsenal 2, May 26, 1989, original first division
After Alan Smith opens the scoring, Michael Thomas’s goal nine seconds from the end of the season gives Arsenal their first title in 18 years. They finish level on points with Liverpool and have the same goal difference, so goals scored separate them.
2. Tottenham 0 Arsenal 1, May 3, 1971, original first division
With Leeds United a point ahead, Arsenal need a win or goalless draw to clinch the title on goal average, while a scoring draw or defeat would leave Leeds champions. Arsenal clinch a record eighth league title after Ray Kennedy’s late winner.
3. Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 5, Nov 25, 2003, Champions League
Beaten 3-0 at home by the Italian team two months earlier, Arsenal seem at risk of another defeat that would remove them at the group stage. Yet Thierry Henry scores twice and sets up Fredrik Ljungberg. Edu and Robert Pires complete the rout.
4. Arsenal 3 Manchester United 2, May 12, 1979, FA Cup Final
Arsenal are leading 2-0 through goals by Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton, but United draw level with five minutes left through Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy. Almost immediately, Alan Sunderland slides home Arsenal’s winner.
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Middlesbrough 9 Brighton & Hove Albion 0, second tier, August 23, 1958
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