Comments on: Top 10 opening day classics

By: Martin Tibbetts

Martin Tibbetts — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:23:13 +0000

Obviously a Leicester one from me. August 15, 1998. Old Trafford. Jaap Stam’s league debut ends at 45 minutes, taken off after been confused and run ragged by the brilliant Emile Heskey – the big man just couldn’t cope. A Heskey goal saw the Foxes one up at half time, then with 15 minutes to go Cottee made it two. But wait, 3 minutes later Sheringham pops up with one to make it a nailbiter. 90 minutes come and go and its still 2-1, a famous victory beckons. But no-one betted on the Old Trafford time slip. It was the 56th minute of the 2nd half when Beckham scored the equalizer. We had forgotten the rule that if Man Utd are losing at home the game continues until they snatch the point! Gutted, but what a game and after some great performances the previous season, it was the match that rocketed the boy Emile onto the A List…

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:29:44 +0000

another Arsenal one I’m afraid.

After beating Liverpool 0-2 at Anfield to claim the title which was without doubt the best finish to a season ever, Arsenal started the next season as Champions away to Man United. I was in Malta at the time, when I checked the score to my shock horror we got thumped 4-1, George Graham failed to strengthen the team so consequently we got found out, which sounds remarkably like the Arsenal of today.

By: Danny Brothers

Danny Brothers — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:20:36 +0000

Yep, I remember that one, that was on Sky before any other Premier Legaue game had kicked off if memory serves me right? The late Chopra goal…

Anyone with a nigtmare story of a opening game?

I remember one Northampton first day game at Wigan where the bus was late, we had two players sent off and lost all grip on the art of football…fortunately we turned things around and won the playoffs that year!

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:39:20 +0000

actually no, they were 3-1 up but we ended up winning 4-3, Lee Dixon scored a last minute winner after missing a pen.

Didn’t Sunderland beat the Spuds 1-0 last season?

By: James Webb

James Webb — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:06:02 +0000

Didn’t Norwich beat Arsenal 4-2 back in the Goss, Fox, Sutton era ? (sounds like a good game to me lol !!!)

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:44:34 +0000

actually, that was a classic, I remember Ravanelli’s hatrick, probably the best times as a Boro fan

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:43:36 +0000

what about Arsenals classic 1-0 defeat to Wimbledon back in 92-93, the dullest game in Premiership history. Arsenal didn’t have a shot all game so George Graham brought on David O’Leary as an center forward. The Dons scored in injury time to seal a 1-0 win. I think we ended up winning 3 away games all season.

On a positive note, what about UCF’s classic 1-0 away win at Peckham, Petter Potter playing as a lone striker scored the only goal after 5 minutes, UCF went on miss out on the Div 2 championship on goal difference.

By: Jackie Emu

Jackie Emu — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:40:28 +0000

boro mentioned twice…for games that were entertaining yes …but a missed opportunity I feel…
how the 1997 classic boro 3 liverpool 3 ravanelli bagging all three could be overlooked?

I’ve never seen so many kids with shirts over heads after that game!