Its boxingday and there are mouthwatering clashes lined up for the football fan from Newcastle vs Everton, Liverpool vs Leicester City and Chelsea vs Watford (15th vs 7th!). So in that light we have prepared a list of the 10 memorable Boxingday clashes till now!
Sheffield Wednesday (3 -3) Manchester United, 1999
This was the 1st boxing day match after the creation of the Premier League and wasn’t short on action! The match saw Sheffield take the lead thanks to the strikes from David Hurst, Mark Bright, and John Sheridan. Then ith 25 minutes left on the clock Brian McClaire and Cantona scripted a United comeback with the former scoring a brace. That season United won the 1st Premier League title.
Aston Villa (2-2) Arsenal 2008
While Arsenal had eyes set on the League title, Villa was looking for a Champions League spot. Arsenal opened up the scoring with goals in both the halves from Denilson and Abou Diaby. But the hosts were far from over as they came back from the deficit to end the game on a level score. Gareth Barry was awarded a penalty in the 65th minute for a foul by William Galla and the equalizer was scored by Zat Knight in stoppage time. Ultimatle Villa made the qualification round for the Europa League while Arsenal made it to the Champions League qualification round
Manchester City (5-1) Hull City 2008
*Image Courtesy: Daily Mail
This match is memorable not only for a clinical display of football by Manchester City but for the most unusual team talks in recent history. Hull City were 4 goals down and the boss gave the team a public trashing that didn’t salvage much but only led to one consolation goal. In explanation to his antics Brown said that he undertook such a step as he owned to the travelling fans who came to support their team and were awarded a shoddy game. As a footnote City went on to further their lead by scoring a fifth of the night!
Bolton Wanderers (4-3) Newcastle 2002
This was second win for the wanderers. Sam Allardyce’s men showcased some brilliant attacking and goals from Jay Jay Okocha, Ricardo Gardner and a brace from then recent English international inductee Michael Ricketts. But Newcastle didn’t back down with goals from Shearer and Shola Amoebi saw the team only one goal short of the hosts. The full time whistle might just have saved the wanderers as the Magpies looked lethal and would have turned the game on its head if there has been a little more time!
Everton (2-6) Manchester United 1977- In those days United wasn’t the team that they are now. Lying in the 14 position in the league, the Red Devils were set to face potential league winners then. It would have been an easy peesy game for Everton if only United hadn’t pulled off a blinder that saw them score 6 goals in a packed Goodison Park stadium. Strikes from Lou Macari, Steve Coppell, Jimmy Greenhoff, Gordon Hill and Sammy Mcllroy shunned one and all. That season saw Everton finish third and United at an unlikely 10th position.
Coventry (3-2) Arsenal 1999
An unlikely outcome which does not only seem outrageous now, but then too, a defeat of the Gunners at the hands of the Sky Blues was just unimaginable, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Regarded as the last win of Coventry over Arsenal, the match saw the hosts take a 2 goal lead thanks to the strikes of Gary McCallister and Hadji. But the advantage was soon overturned by Ljungberg and Robbie Keane. But Coventry wasn’t just done yet and a strike from Davor Suker saw them back in the driver’s seat and they held on till the referee blew that final whistle. It was a Merry Christmas for them for sure!
Derby (4-4) Manchester United 1970
A good old game of football which you look back on when you remember those good old days when George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton, Dennis Law ruled the world and were undisputable. The match ended in a draw with both the side displaying quality football and scoring 4 goals each. The old world feel of the match, the players playing in a snow covered field without a hint of complaint and the crowd support make this match memorable and thus special for us!
Oldham (3-6) Manchester United 1991
It is always a dramatic thing when players come back to give it to their former teams in their faces. The same happened when Dennis Irwin scored against his former employers Oldham. And boy did he celebrate in style! Scoring a brace for Red Devils, Irwin gestured frantically with both his hands! And the drama doesn’t just end here. Giggs came on the pitch to chants on ‘monkey monkey’ which were soon shunned when he scored the 6th of the night for Manchester United. Actions do speak louder than words!
Charlton (4-2) Chelsea 2003
The matches where David beats Goliath always make for the most memorable encounters. This boxing day clash between Charlton and Chelsea falls under the same category as the footballing world saw Charlton beat Chelsea by 4-2. Ouch! The Blues had just been taken over by the Russian businessman and had undertaken heavy spending to strengthen their squad. It seems Claudio Ranieri has been turning things for Chelsea since 2003 as his Charlton side overshadowed the mightly Blues as they faced each other at the Valley. Charlton found the back of the net in just 42 seconds and there was no looking back from there. Strikes from Hreidarsson, Matt Holland, Johnasson and Jason Euell saw Chalrton take the game away from the Blues.
Chelsea (4-4) Aston Villa 2007
What didn’t happen in this Boxing Day encounter! A goals galore? Check! Four were scored by both the sides! Cards flying? Two red cards one for each team! Tumultuous match? Check! The match swayed one way then the other keeping the viewers at the edge of their seats! Involved in another ‘shattering the other team’s title hopes’ saga, Villa pounded and fought against the Blues to record a draw at Stamford Bridge. Villa first took the lead thanks to the strikes from Maloney. But a red card to Knight allowed the Blues to pull it back and the scores stood level. the second half was also immersed in drama! Alex’s strike put Chelsea ahead only to go back to a levelled score when Martin Laursen scored at the 72nd minute! Ballack’s free kick again gave some breathing space to the Blues but again Villa came back to salvage a point from the encounter! Phew!