Easily the most hotly debated topic in the office since whose turn it was to clean the jacks, selecting the top five games of the year was not easy. But like the toilet rota, its a dirty job and I stepped up to do it.
Here are the top five, selected for a variety of reasons, most of which will probably annoy you and cause you to question my sanity. That’s what the comment box below is for. Knock yourselves out.
5. Russia 0-0 Republic of Ireland 0, September 6
First off, we know that Ireland were fairly terrible in this game, and we couldn’t kept the ball longer than two seconds at any point so it was far from a classic. In many ways you would see better down the park on a Sunday morning. But watching Ireland somehow hold out wave after wave of Russian assaults was compelling and one of the sporting moments of the year.
Chiefly this game will be remembered for some amazing saves by Shay Given and an awesome defensive display from Richard Dunne. With half his face missing. And the number drawn on his shirt in crayon. A definite for Reeling in the Years.
Mission to Moscow was somehow a success
4. Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona, February 16
The last good thing Andrei Arshavin ever did in an Arsenal shirt. Probably. The last time Barcelona will ever be beaten in Europe. Probably. Building false hope in Arsenal fans’ hearts. Definitely.
In the end, Barcelona got the job done at Camp Nou but in London, for one night, Arsenal showed that the greatest team in the world ever (yes ever, don’t argue or you’re stupid and ugly) could be beaten.
Messi missed a few chances that he normally wouldn’t but Barca were still cruising at 1-0 thanks to David Villa with 15 minutes to go when Arsenal launched a comeback. Robin van Persie levelled matters before the little Russian’s deft finish sealed a sensational win. If only all football games were played like this.
False dawn for Arsenal
3. Partizan Belgrade 1-2 Shamrock Rovers, August 25
After a 1-1 draw in Tallaght, few gave Michael O’Neill’s men any chance of becoming the first Irish team to reach the group stages of a European competition. With Belgrade not the friendliest of cities to play in and the heat a good 20 degrees above west Dublin, the odds were stacked against the Hoops.
The home side scored first, meaning Rovers needed two and incredibly they got them. Pat Sullivan’s equaliser was one of the goals of the year, as sweet a volley as seen in Europe this year. Rovers rode their luck to make it to extra-time and then Karl Sheppard won a penalty which was slotted home by Stephen O’Donnell.
An historic night for Irish football and a massive money spinner and kudos winner for Rovers.
Take a bow son
2. Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal, February 5
The game that ended Arsenal’s title charge for last season. In galloping style, Arsenal raced into a four-goal lead after just 26 minutes at St James’ Park and as the Toon fans got nasty, Arsene Wenger was probably already plotting what third division game from Sierra Leone he was going to watch over dinner.
But Abou Diaby saw red for a clash with Twitter FC’s Joey Barton and the wheels came off the visitors quicker than a pit-stop in F1.
Two Barton penalties, either side of a Leon Best goal narrowed the margin alarmingly before a stunning and unlikely long-range volley from midfield enforcer Chiek Tiote completed the unlikeliest of comebacks in the 87th minute.
If the Barcelona win a fortnight later showed the good side of Arsenal, this draw highlighted all the flaws of Wenger’s team.
Gunners gunned down
1. Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City, October 23
A game that could well be remembered 20 years from now. The wrestling of the torch from one gnarled old Scottish hand to a well-manicured Italian one. This was the game when we realised they were the real deal and not just a dream team of mercenaries.
United were run ragged, not helped by losing Jonny Evans early on. David Silva was supreme in midfield, Mario Baloteli looked world class up front while Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko confirmed they were settling into this Premier League lark. It was the first time United have been outplayed to this extent by anybody apart from Barcelona, and Fergie knew it.
Darren Fletcher’s goal with 10 to go made it 1-3 but instead of a United charge, City put their foot on their red rivals’ necks. Three more nails were hammered into the United coffin in the last three minutes.
Brutal and kind of shocking to watch, it was probably the day a new king of the Premier League world was revealed.
Changing of the guard?
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