Top 10 Football Matches of The Decade

10) Arsenal vs Tottenham 4-4,2008-09,EPL.

North London Derbies rarely need goals to spice them up. But Almunia and Gomes coincidentally found the same day to concede goals on a whim. An outrageous volley by Bentley from 40 yards gave Tottenham the lead. A goal from each of the centre-backs: Silvestre and Gallas put Arsenal 2-1 up. A simple tap-in for Adebayor gives Arsenal  a comfortable 3-1 lead. Almunia’s parry of a strong Lennon shot falls comfortably into Bent’s path. Arsenal 3-2 Tottenham. An emphatic strike by van Persie gives Arsenal a 2 goal cushion for the second time in the match.A sweetly struck Jenas’ goal and Lennon’s tap-in off of a rebound finishes off one of the best North London derbies of the decade.   

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UASYr7lRIZo

9) Newcastle vs Arsenal 4-4,2011,EPL.

Football is a game of 2 halves, they say. Never has it been more right. Arsenal take a deserved 4-0 lead at half-time. My dad ordered me to switch off the TV and in his words, ”Newcastle are goners. What more could happen?!”. Alan Pardew’s Newcastle rally back to equalise 4-4. That. Happened.

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHkidTEEjEs

8) Liverpool vs Arsenal 4-4,2008-09,EPL

Andrei Arshavin’s debut at the Kop ends with him scoring 4 goals and matched equally by a brace by Yossi Benayoun and a brace by the rampant Fernando Torres. Arsenal’s dogmatism put a significant dent in Liverpool’s title aspirations.(Yes, I know, it seems like a decade ago when Liverpool were title-challengers!).

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTsg8PFvauo

7) West Ham vs Tottenham 3-4,2006 ,EPL

Coming into this match, both West Ham and Tottenham were riding high on prime performances by their star men: Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov respectively. West Ham seemed to be doing everything just right after taking a 2-0 lead at half-time. But, mind-boggling though it may be, Alan Curbishley’s half-time talk had the anti-Midas effect. Tottenham quickly got 2 goals back via Defoe’s penalty and Tainio’s well-struck volley. Against the run-of-play, Zamora put West Ham back into the lead. A sublime free-kick by Dimitar Berbatov in the 87^th min and an injury-time winner by Paul Stalteri gave Tottenham the win and deepened West Ham’s relegation woes. 

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vxUTsvLKUk

6) MC vs MU 2-3,2012,BPL

  

Manchester City a.k.a “The Noisy Neighbours” had a point to prove as they came into this derby on a 21 match unbeaten run. MU had made their title intentions clear by signing in-form van Persie from Arsenal. 2 goals by Rooney in quick succession gave MU a 2-0 lead at halftime. Goals by Yaya Toure and Zabaleta put MC on level terms before van Persie snatched a late winner to give MU bragging rights at the Etihad stadium.

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFUh26GDjLg

5) Chelsea vs Liverpool , 4-4, 2009, UEFA CL SF 2^nd leg

Chelsea came into this leg with a comfortable 3-1 lead. However, Aurelio’s stunning 35 yard strike and Alonso’s goal put Liverpool on course for a dream result. The half brought a tide of changing fortunes as Drogba, Alex and Lampard scored in succession to give Avram Grant’s men a 3-2 lead. Lucas and Kuyt again scored to give the Reds a 4-3 lead. However, a Lampard strike at the end sent Liverpool into the abyss and Chelsea into the SF with a 7-5 aggregate score.

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMFFqERpLfU

4) Liverpool vs West-Ham 3-3 FA Cup Final, 2006

In a typical David v/s Goliath contest, Liverpool should have had their hands on the FA Cup without breaking a sweat. But, a Carragher OG and a goal by Dean Ashton gave West Ham a shock 2-0 lead. A sweet volley by Cisse and a thunderous Gerrard strike brought Liverpool on level terms. Paul Konchesky’s goal from an impossible angle (I still believe it was a cross) put West Ham on course for a historic FA Cup win. A Steven Gerrard equaliser at the death and the penalty miss by Anton Ferdinand in the impending shoot-out gave Liverpool an FA cup they had to fight tooth and nail for.

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsApNfJ06eI

3) QPR vs MC 2-3, 2012, Final match of EPL season.

It’s the last game of the season and MU and MC are level on points. QPR need to draw or win to get out of the relegation zone. Zabaleta gives MC a 1-0 lead before Cisse and Mackie give QPR a shock 2-1 lead. 90 minutes are up and MU seem to be on course for a record 20^th title with a 1-0 lead at Sunderland. And then, hysteria, drama and insanity all combine as Dzeko and Aguero score 2 goals within 3 minutes to hand Manchester City their first title in eons.

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa42jvrCCdA

2) MU vs FC Bayern 2-1 , UEFA CL Final,1999

Hailed as the “perfect heist” by Sir Alex Ferguson, both MU and Bayern came to Camp Nou to complete their treble. A Mario Basler goal gave Bayern a deserved 1-0 lead. With time ticking down, Sheringham and Solskjaer appeared, nonchalant and harmless as ever.2 goals within 3 minutes by the 2 substitutes gave MU a 2-1 win leaving the legendary Lothar Matthaus to wonder what had hit his team.

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86BNs0wSBow

1  1)  Liverpool vs AC Milan,2005,UEFA CL Final a.k.a “The Wonder of Istanbul”

Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul. The city where different cultures intertwine seamlessly was about to witness one of the greatest comebacks in football history. Ancelloti’s star-studded Rossoneri romped to a 3-0 lead with a goal by their influential captain Maldini and a brace by Crespo. In what is hailed as a change of tactical brilliance, Hamann was called upon by Rafa Benitez to mark the Brazilian Kaka. Within “six minutes of madness”, so aptly put by Ancelloti, Liverpool levelled the game with Gerrard, Smicer and Alonso on the scoresheet. In a pulsating and a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out, Dudek came out tops saving spot-kicks by Pirlo and Shevchenko to complete Liverpool’s astonishing turn-around.

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6DElrKyEFs