Football's Greatest Comebacks

Following the remarkable comebacks at Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion over the past few weeks, I began thinking of all the great turnarounds I had witnessed. Below are 5 games that have stuck in my memory. They may not be a definitive list of the greatest comebacks in football history, but they are linked by one simple rule; I have watched every minute of these remarkable matches live, either at the stadium or on television.

Liverpool 3-3 West Ham United

FA Cup Final May 2006

Perhaps the greatest Cup Final of the Millennium had more swings than an adventure playground. But what summed this game up was the Steven Gerrard inspired comeback in the final moments of normal time.

Having fought back from 2-0 down Liverpool now trailed 3-2 following a freak Konchesky strike that had looped over Reina in the Liverpool goal on 64 minutes. The West Ham United fans were starting to believe that the trophy would be theirs.

Liverpool and West Ham players were beginning to collapse all over the pitch, suffering from cramp. Liverpool were starting to run out of ideas. As the clock ticked into the 90^th minute, Gerrard could hardly move. However, as the ball was cleared out of the West Ham box for the umpteenth time, it fell invitingly for the Liverpool captain 35 yards out. With no energy and cramp restricting his movements, he simply lashed home an unstoppable drive beyond West Ham goalkeeper Hislop’s despairing drive, and into the bottom corner. Efficiency of effort in the extreme. The goal sent the game into extra time and ultimately penalties which culminated in Gerrard deservedly lifting the trophy himself.

Whilst this may not be a fight back from 3 down as was the case in Istanbul a year earlier, the disability that appeared to restrict Gerrard and the unbelievable strike that he conjured up to save the game in the last minute, combined to provide a level of drama that the greatest cup competition in the world would never forget.

Tottenham Hotspur 4-4 Aston Villa

Premier League September 2007

It was supposed to be a party at White Hart Lane to celebrate 125 years worth of history. Flags were given out to the home fans, and club legends paraded the pitch before the game.

The season had not started particularly well for Spurs but Aston Villa surely recognised they were only invited to make up the numbers. When Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring on 20 minutes the party really got started. Villa, however, hadn’t read the script. Within 15 minutes of the second half they were 4-1 up following some frankly awful defending and some excellent finishing. The party was turning into a wake. The Villa fans were singing “Happy birthday Tottenham Hotspur” gleefully from the stands.

However a rare Pascal Chimbonda goal gave Spurs hope, and Keane dispatched a penalty to bring the scores back to 3-2.

As with all great comebacks, it was in the 90^th minute that the equaliser came, centre back Younes Kaboul lashing home following a corner. The players ran to the bench to celebrate with manager Martin Jol, shear ecstasy releasing the pressure he was under and mirroring the feeling in the stands.

Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich

Champions League Final May 1999

The most unforgettable finish to a Champions League Final masked the true story of the match. German champions Bayern munich had dominated the game and were unfortunate not to be more than just the one goal ahead as the clock ticked down to the 90^th minute.

Manchester United had made a habit of fighting back in the closing stages of matches, they had possibly won their first premiership title because of an amazing turnaround at Sheffield Wednesday and they had come back from 2 down in the semi final second league versus Juventus, but surely this was too much to ask. Bayern Munich had got to the final of the premier club competition on merit.

Bayern had hit the woodwork three times, but as the game seemed all but over Teddy Sheringham equalised in the 93^rd minute. Relief all round for United fans and the chance to win it in extra time. The elation of saving the game was nothing compared to what was to come. When United won another corner, no one dared hope for what then followed. Sheringham flicked on Beckham’s set piece and Ole Gunner Solskjaer steered the ball home. Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium erupted with joy and despair in equal measures. Some Bayern players simply collapsed where they stood.

To top it all, Manchester United’s greatest comeback came on the day of their club legend, Sir Matt Busby’s, 90^th birthday.

AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool

Champions League Final May 2005

English clubs simply do not win Champions League Finals the easy way. If the Manchester United comeback was unbelievable 6 years earlier, the turnaround in Istanbul defied belief.

Liverpool had been played of the park in the first half, and Milan deservedly led 3-0 at half time. The Italian’s were famous for their mean defence that included Maldini, Cafu, Nesta and Stam. At 3-0 the title was theirs.

Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez, made a substitution at half time. He brought on Hamman for the injured full-back Steve Finnan. The forced tactical switch changed the game. The game was level within 15 minutes. Once again, Liverpool talisman, Steven Gerrard led the comeback. He headed home from a corner on 54 minutes. Milan goalkeeper fumbled Smicer’s shot into the net, and Alonso followed up his own saved penalty on 59.

In truth Milan should still have won the game. Djimi Troare cleared a Shevchenko effort off the line and Liverpool goalkeeper Liverpool keeper Dudek somehow kept Shevchenko out in extra time with a miraculous double save.

But it was always going to be Liverpool’s night and Dudek’s penalty save in the shoot-out gave them the trophy to take back to England and provided a fitting climax to a remarkable game.

Tottenham Hotspur 3-4 Manchester City

FA Cup 4^th Round replay February 2004

This match should be held up as a reason to never give up in sport. The comeback by Manchester City will go down as the greatest in the modern day FA Cup for a multitude of reasons.

Spurs had raced into a 3 goal lead before half-time. City were hardly in the game. They were not getting close to the Londoners with 11 men. Surely the tie was over when Barton got himself sent off during the half time break? It has been reported that Keegan effectively resigned at half time, telling his players that this would be his final game. His players obviously wanted their manager to stay.

Two quick goals turned the game on its head. Sylvain Distin headed home a free kick and Paul Bosvelt scored via a huge deflection on 48 minutes. City were now in the ascendancy and the crowd had turned against the home team.

Manchester City may have got the little bit of luck their fight-back deserved when Shaun Wright-Phillips appeared to be offside as he latched on to a hopeful punt up field and equalised with ten minutes left.

Tottenham were at sixes and sevens, and as the game edged towards extra-time the turnaround was completed as Jonathan Macken headed home a brilliant winner in the last minute.

Reprieved manager Kevin Keegan was right when he said “They’ll talk about this game long after we’ve all gone!”