At present it is all in regards to the nice comebacks… so who’re you voting for?
Ivory Coast: nominated by Chris Flanagan, senior workers author (@CFlanaganFFT )
Bayer Leverkusen gave the impression to be making an attempt to win this award in just about each match in the direction of the top of final season – clinging on to that unbeaten document for expensive life with equalisers within the 88th, 89th, 93rd, 96th, 97th and 97th minutes. Nonetheless although, I will go for Ivory Coast, and probably essentially the most extraordinary comeback in any main event ever.
The hosts appeared to be out after they have been humiliated 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea, leaving them with three factors from three video games. Then Ghana blew a 2-0 lead towards Mozambique in harm time in one other group, Ivory Coast squeaked by way of because the fourth greatest third-placed group, changed boss Jean-Louis Gasset with Emerse Fae, got here from a objective down within the final 16, got here from a objective down with 10 males within the quarters, then got here from a objective down once more to beat Nigeria within the ultimate. Insanity.
Veteran strikers: nominated by Ryan Dabbs, senior author on-line (@ryandabbs_ )
Chris Wooden scores for Forest (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Chris Wooden, Danny Welbeck and Jamie Vardy have all rolled again the years this season, placing in some actually shocking shows. I have been genuinely shocked that Chris Wooden has managed to hit double figures earlier than Christmas – sure, he is clearly an excellent, competent Premier League striker, however he is regarded extra spectacular than ever in 2024/25. Welbeck’s even conserving younger upstart Evan Ferguson out of the Brighton group, whereas Vardy is, to be honest, as terrier-like as ever.
Gareth Southgate: nominated by Matthew Ketchell, deputy editor (@Ketchell )
Gareth Southgate celebrates after England’s win over Switzerland (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
He was seconds from a Graham Taylor-esq crucifixion, however then Jude Bellingham bailed him and England out. The Three Lions delivered a penalty shootout masterclass (improbable to kind these phrases) after which put of their greatest efficiency of the event to seal a Euro 2024 ultimate place that no one who sat by way of the Denmark recreation believed bodily potential. Spain was, in fact, a bridge approach too far, and whereas Southgate left with out a trophy, his dignity stays intact (till he takes over at West Ham).
Lennie Lawrence: nominated by James Andrew, editor (@JamesAndrew_ )
On the age of 77 Lawrence returned to the dugout for the primary time as supervisor for 19 years when he took over at Nationwide League facet Hartlepool United. He has not been out of soccer although, as he has held Director of Soccer and Assistant Supervisor roles at at least 9 golf equipment since he was final known as ‘Gaffer’.
Lennie Lawrence: nominated by Ed McCambridge (once more), workers author (@edmccambridge )
When septuagenarian Lennie Lawrence was appointed Hartlepool supervisor in November, it represented his first publish within the dugout since getting sacked by Cardiff again in 2005. The 76-year-old went to highschool with Roy Hodgson, for crying out loud!
Bournemouth: nominated by Mark White, on-line content material editor (@markwhlte )
Antoine Semenyo in motion for Bounemouth (Picture credit score: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside by way of Getty Pictures)
Andoni Iraola’s tough Cherries fought from two down towards Everton earlier this season – with the Toffees main till the 87th minute. However provided that Sean Dyche’s group are a social experiment in testing the boundaries of the human situation, Bournemouth’s different spectacular comeback deserves its place on this record: getting back from 3-0 down at half-time towards Luton City. In an ever-maddening sport of inverted full-backs, delaying the restart and taking part in out from the again even when it relegates you ( you, Burnley), it is refreshing that Iraola’s core philosophy is, merely, to attain greater than the opposition. We’re a correct nation, as soon as extra.
Magdalena Eriksson celebrates with Chelsea team-mates (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Two rounds earlier than the top of the 2023/24 Ladies’s Tremendous League season it regarded as if Manchester Metropolis had the title wrapped up with a bow. Metropolis have been three factors forward of the Blues with a major objective distinction. After dropping to Liverpool to present Metropolis the purpose benefit, then-manager Emma Hayes stated “the title race is over”. However then Chelsea beat Bristol Metropolis 8-0, whereas Metropolis misplaced to Arsenal. That meant on the ultimate day of the season the groups had the identical quantity of factors however Chelsea have been topping the desk with a objective distinction of +2.
Nevertheless, Chelsea confronted Manchester United at Outdated Trafford, whereas Metropolis had Aston Villa and so the title was up for grabs. That was till Mayra Ramirez tore United aside and Chelsea ended the season with a 6-0 demolition job. The proper ship off for Hayes and the most effective comebacks in WSL title race historical past.
Jamie Vardy: nominated by Adam Monk, presenter/producer (@_adammonk )
Jamie Vardy has had a resurgence this yr (Picture credit score: PA)
Fact be instructed he was by no means actually gone, merely simply taking part in within the Championship. However few anticipated him to be nearly as good as he nonetheless is upon his return to the large time. Now closing in on 150 Premier League objectives – over 100 of which have been scored after the age of 30 – on the age of 37 he is nonetheless the most effective strikers within the league and a real instance of a participant they merely do not make them like anymore.
Yarm and Eaglescliffe: nominated by Ben Marsden, author (@BenMarsden03 )
Yarm and Eaglescliffe are hardly a group that many can declare to know however in November they produced a comeback that any facet on this planet could be envious of. At 5-2 down within the Northern League Division Two towards Sunderland West Finish it was all however recreation over. Then they scored within the 92nd minute. And once more, within the 93rd. And once more, within the 94th. At this level, you would possibly suppose honest play 5-5 is a belter of a recreation however no, engineer Tom Atkinson popped up within the 96th minute for his fourth of the sport to seal the comeback of the yr.
