Football's 2010 Highlights

1. Barcelona 5 – 0 Real Madrid
El Classico was exactly that. With a starting line-up featuring eight graduates of their own youth system, Barca destroyed the world’s most expensively constructed side with a breathtaking display of exhilarating attacking football. A diminutive forward line of Messi, Pedro and Villa tore Real to pieces, prompted by the probing incisive passing of Xavi and Iniesta. It was a joy – and a privilege – to watch a team so comfortable on the ball, so fluid in their movement and so cut-throat in front of goal. The passing was so quick that at times I didn’t know where the ball was or who was in possession. A quite stunning display that left even Jose Mourinho gobsmacked and was almost certainly the greatest display I’ve ever seen by a football team.

2. Matty Burrows’ Goal
If you haven’t seen it, here it is...



It’s not often a lad from Glentoran gets nominated for a FIFA prize, so let’s hope he gets what he deserves (unlike Qatar).

3. Left Sided Spurs
As a left footed player myself, it’s great to see a team containing so many of my brethren scaling the giddy heights of the European Cup and threatening to become a fixture in the Premier League’s top four. The pace, power and direct running of Gareth Bale – along with his wicked delivery and eye for goal – have clearly caught the eye. But as he’s moved up the pitch even his much maligned replacement at full-back, Benoit Assou-Ekotto has performed admirably. The craft, guile and skill of midfield maestros Luka Modric (maybe my favourite player in the league) and Rafael Van Der Vaart have also been utterly vital in propelling ‘Arry’s Spurs into contention for the big prizes and show the benefits of a truly balanced team. If only one of them were English.

4. The Return of Premier League Shocks
After Hull’s miraculous first three months in the Premier League they went on a slump which currently sees them languishing in the bottom half of the Championship. But something about their joyous spell of attacking football (before Phil Brown lost his nerve and his marbles) seems to have inspired new and existing Premier League managers to let their sides of the leash and attack more illustrious opposition. The estimable Ian Holloway and his Blackpool side, Roberto Di Matteo’s easy-on-the-eye West Brom and Owen Coyle’s newly swashbuckling Bolton have abandoned parking the bus in favour of having a go and it’s having a massive effect on the Premier League. Anyone can overturn anyone, teams like Wolves can win at Anfield and newcomers like Andy Carroll can light up the division. It’s the closest the table has been in years (top and bottom) and we should all be grateful for it.

5. England At The World Cup
Watching Mezit Ozul motoring past Gareth Barry in Germany’s 4-1 thrashing of England was not greeted by jeers or boos where I was watching the match. Instead, we laughed. I’m still not entirely sure why. Embarrassment certainly played a part. But instead I think we laughed at the notion that our mediocre squad could ever challenge for the top honours. The disastrous World Cup might have been depressing for some, but I am grateful for a watershed moment in which England’s ‘barmy army’ of deluded fans finally realised that their faith in John Terry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard had been misplaced. Whether the root and branch reform required will take place in the light of our South African shambles is debatable, but I am delighted that we might approach future tournaments with a degree of humility and some realistic expectations.