Events Today
The day Sunderland and Derby played “The Game of Three Halves”
One of the strangest matches in football history took place as Sunderland and Derby County played “The Game of Three Halves”. With the appointed referee delayed by a missed train connection, a replacement official started the match, only for the original referee to arrive after 45 minutes and order the game to begin again from scratch.
Spurs begin Football League life with victory over FA Cup holders Wolves
Tottenham Hotspur made a dream start to their Football League history in 1908 by defeating FA Cup holders Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0. Vivian Woodward scored Spurs’ first-ever Football League goal after just six minutes and added a second immediately after half-time before Tom Morris completed the victory with a spectacular long-range strike.
Glenn Hoddle begins England reign with win and Beckham debut
Glenn Hoddle’s first match as England manager ended in a comfortable 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Moldova in 1996. Goals from Nick Barmby, Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer secured the win. The evening also marked the first England appearances for Beckham and Gary Neville together. While another debutant, Andy Hinchcliffe, would enjoy only a brief international career.
The controversial goalline moment that overshadowed Bolton’s new home
Bolton Wanderers opened the Reebok Stadium with a controversial 0-0 draw with Everton. Controversy dominated the occasion when Gerry Taggart’s looping header appeared to cross the line before being cleared by Terry Phelan, with referee Stephen Lodge and his officials failing to award what looked like a winning goal.
England’s 5-1 destruction of Germany in Munich
England delivered one of the most famous performances in their modern history as they demolished Germany 5-1 in Munich in a crucial 2002 World Cup qualifier. The night began badly for England when Carsten Jancker fired the hosts ahead after only six minutes, but England responded. Michael Owen scored a hat-trick, Steven Gerrard added a long-range strike and Emile Heskey completed the rout.
The day Manchester City changed forever: Sheikh Mansour takeover
Manchester City entered a new era as Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Abu Dhabi United Group completed its takeover of the club. The acquisition ended a period of uncertainty following Thaksin Shinawatra’s troubled ownership and turned City into the richest club in world football almost overnight, reshaping both the club and the wider English game.
Robinho’s £32.5m move announces Manchester City’s new era
Manchester City announced the signing of Brazilian forward Robinho from Real Madrid in 2008 for a then-British record fee of around £32.5 million. Chelsea had been expected to secure the 24-year-old, but City hijacked the move with a dramatic late bid and handed him a four-year contract on the day that Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group completed its takeover.
Partick Thistle’s unbelievable disallowed goal against Greenock Morton
Partick Thistle found themselves at the centre of one of the most controversial goals, when they were denied a clear goal against Greenock Morton. Kris Doolan’s shot crossed the line, rippled the net and then bounced back into play. However, despite the celebrations, referee Barry Cook consulted his assistant and astonishingly awarded Morton a throw-in instead.