The 26th of December. A date that is unique to English football. A day that the rest of the world is getting back to normal after celebrating Christmas. But in England, footballers get ready for matches in the heart of the festive period.
It is this period when seasons have turned on their head. A case in point came as recently as the 2013/14 season, when Liverpool went into Christmas top of the league, but found themselves outside the top four at the beginning of the new year.
Generally, all 20 teams in the league play on Boxing Day but this year, TV broadcast obligations mean that only 16 teams play on the 26th. Liverpool play Stoke at Anfield the following day before Tottenham make the trip to Southampton on the 28th of December.
Over the years, Boxing Day has given us many memorable games and performances to cherish. We take a look at the 5 most memorable team performances from Boxing Days over the years.
#1 Manchester United vs Newcastle United – 2012
In Sir Alex Ferguson’s last Boxing Day fixture as manager, United put on a performance that typified them under Ferguson. Newcastle were the visitors to Old Trafford and gave the hosts an almighty scare. But United, as they always seemed to do under Ferguson, found a way to win that game.
Goals from James Perch, Papiss Cisse and an own goal from Jonny Evans ensured that Newcastle took the lead on three separate occasions but they were pegged back on all three occasions. Evans scored at the right end to make it 1-1, Patrice Evra made it 2-2 and Robin van Persie made it 3-3.
But then, Javier Hernandez stepped up in injury time to score the winner. “Fergie Time” as they called it. It is poetic that Ferguson’s last Boxing Day fixture should end with his team scoring late in the game.
#2 Aston Villa vs Chelsea – 2007
Eight goals. Three red cards. How about that for some Christmas cheer? Aston Villa did that when they went to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day in 2007. Villa had taken a 2-0 lead but Villa defender Zat Knight was sent off late in the first half. Chelsea scored three goals through a brace from Andriy Shevchenko and a goal from Alex before Martin Laursen levelled proceedings.
Ricardo Carvalho was sent off with the scores level, giving the Villans hope. Michael Ballack’s 87th-minute free-kick appeared to have won it for Chelsea. But in a game that went the way this one did, you could not be sure of anything until the final whistle was blown.
And so it proved, as Ashley Cole handled the ball on the line and became the third player to be sent off on the day. Gareth Barry dispatched the penalty as there was more heartache for Chelsea in a season when they eventually broke their Champions League semi-final hoodoo, only to lose to Manchester United in the final in Moscow.
#3 Middlesbrough vs Manchester United – 2002
Manchester United have 18 wins, two draws and two defeats on Boxing Day in the Premier League era. One of those defeats was inspired by one of their own. Steve Mclaren, who was Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Old Trafford, was the manager of Middlesbrough and oversaw a Boxing Day humbling of his former employers.
Alen Boksic and Szilard Nemeth had given Boro a 2-0 lead early in the second half, but United, as was the norm, mounted a fightback. Ryan Giggs pulled one back and the Red Devils looked to be well and truly back in the game.
But Joseph-Desire Job gave Boro a 3-1 lead to top off a season in which they had already beaten Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City.
That loss put United seven points behind Arsenal. But in the second half of the season, they rallied brilliantly to eventually win the title by five points.
#4 Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea – 2003
Roman Abramovich had just spent his first Christmas as Chelsea owner, but was in for a rude shock the very next day. On Boxing Day, Chelsea travelled to The Valley to play fellow Londoners, Charlton Athletic. The expensively assembled Blues squad was dismantled as Charlton spread some festive cheer among their fans.
Herman Hreidarsson opened the scoring within the opening minute as Chelsea had barely even got started. John Terry pulled the Blues back into it with his equaliser.
But from there on, it went all downhill for Chelsea. Goals from Matt Holland, Jonatan Johansson and Jason Euell gave the Addicks a comfortable 4-1 lead. The Icelandic forward Eidur Gudjohnsen scored a late consolation for Chelsea, and it was too little, too late.
#5 Aston Villa vs Arsenal – 2008
If it was Chelsea the previous year, Villa were involved in a Boxing Day classic against the Blues’ London rivals Arsenal. And they put on a show – at least in terms of their performance. The match ended 2-2, but Villa played the Gunners out of the park.
It didn’t start too well for Villa. In the 50th minute, they were 2-0 down thanks to goals from Denilson and Abou Diaby. But that is when Villa began to enthral the Villa Park faithful. They got a penalty and that man, Gareth Barry, was there to tuck the spot-kick away.
And then in injury time, Zat Knight stepped up as Villa rescued a vital point in a season when there had a more realistic shout for a Champions League spot than any other season.
Arsenal did finish fourth (of course!) that season, but they were aided by a late season Villa collapse.
