Who had the Comeback of the Yr? It is FourFourTwo’s Different Awards of 2024 and we wish your vote.
On this problem of FourFourTwo, we’re handing out the massive awards of the 12 months for individuals who had a 12 months that could not probably be ignored. So we requested our skilled staff to vote in some additional classes, only for on-line – no guidelines about who to vote for or what number of nominations a celebration can obtain.
At this time it is all in regards to the nice comebacks… so who’re you voting for?
Ivory Coast: nominated by Chris Flanagan, senior employees author (@CFlanaganFFT)
Bayer Leverkusen gave the impression to be attempting to win this award in just about each match in the direction of the tip of final season – clinging on to that unbeaten file 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 match ever.
The hosts out once 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 in opposition to Mozambique in damage time in one other group, Ivory Coast squeaked via because the fourth greatest third-placed staff, changed boss Jean-Louis Gasset with Emerse Fae, got here from a purpose down within the final 16, got here from a purpose down with 10 males within the quarters, then got here from a purpose down once more to beat Nigeria within the ultimate. Insanity.
Veteran strikers: nominated by Ryan Dabbs, senior author on-line (@ryandabbs_)
Chris Wooden, Danny Welbeck and Jamie Vardy have all rolled again the years this season, placing in some really stunning 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 appeared extra spectacular than ever in 2024/25. Welbeck’s even maintaining younger upstart Evan Ferguson out of the Brighton staff, whereas Vardy is, to be honest, as terrier-like as ever.
Gareth Southgate: nominated by Matthew Ketchell, deputy editor (@Ketchell)
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 (implausible to sort these phrases) after which put of their greatest efficiency of the match to seal a Euro 2024 ultimate place that no one who sat via the Denmark sport believed bodily doable. Spain was, in fact, a bridge manner 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 aspect 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), employees 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 high school with Roy Hodgson, for crying out loud!
Bournemouth: nominated by Mark White, on-line content material editor (@markwhlte)
Andoni Iraola’s tough Cherries fought from two down in opposition to Everton earlier this season – with the Toffees main till the 87th minute. However on condition that Sean Dyche’s staff are a social experiment in testing the bounds of the human situation, Bournemouth’s different spectacular comeback deserves its place on this listing: getting back from 3-0 down at half-time in opposition to Luton City. In an ever-maddening sport of inverted full-backs, delaying the restart and enjoying 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.
Two rounds earlier than the tip of the 2023/24 Ladies’s Tremendous League season it appeared as if Manchester Metropolis had the title wrapped up with a bow. Metropolis have been three factors forward of the Blues with a major purpose distinction. After dropping to Liverpool to present Metropolis the purpose benefit, then-manager Emma Hayes mentioned “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 purpose distinction of +2.
Nonetheless, Chelsea confronted Manchester United at Previous 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 right ship off for Hayes and top-of-the-line comebacks in WSL title race historical past.
Jamie Vardy: nominated by Adam Monk, presenter/producer (@_adammonk)
Reality be informed he was by no means actually gone, merely simply enjoying within the Championship. However few anticipated him to be pretty much as good as he nonetheless is upon his return to the massive time. Now closing in on 150 Premier League targets – over 100 of which have been scored after the age of 30 – on the age of 37 he is nonetheless top-of-the-line 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 staff that many can declare to know however in November they produced a comeback that any aspect on the earth could be envious of. At 5-2 down within the Northern League Division Two in opposition to Sunderland West Finish it was all however sport over. Then they scored within the 92nd minute. And once more, within the 93rd. And once more, within the 94th. At this level, you may suppose honest play 5-5 is a belter of a sport however no, engineer Tom Atkinson popped up within the 96th minute for his fourth of the sport to seal the comeback of the 12 months.
