When Red Cards Don't Stop Player of the Match Honors
In the world of football, receiving a red card typically ends a player's contribution to the match, but surprisingly, it doesn't always prevent them from being named player of the match. This unusual phenomenon has occurred multiple times, highlighting moments where individual brilliance or critical actions overshadow disciplinary issues.
Recent Examples of Red-Carded Stars
One notable case involves Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United. In 2024, during a match against West Ham, Gordon was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, just as commentators were declaring him the player of the match. Despite his dismissal, his performance earlier in the game left a lasting impression.
Another instance came from Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool in 2024. Amad Diallo scored the winning goal in extra time but received a second yellow card for removing his shirt in celebration. Fans later voted him player of the match, recognizing his decisive contribution despite the red card.
Historical and Women's Football Cases
In women's football, Lauren James, while playing for Manchester United in 2019, was sent off for a foul shortly after being announced as player of the match by BBC commentators. Her earlier efforts in a 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur earned her the accolade.
Going further back, Lee Steele of Chester City in 2006 scored both goals in an FA Cup match against Bury but was sent off after celebrating with the crowd. His performance stood out, even in defeat.
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Perhaps the most famous example is Federico Valverde of Real Madrid in the 2020 Spanish Super Cup final. Valverde received a red card for a tactical foul to stop Atlético Madrid's Álvaro Morata from scoring. Real Madrid went on to win on penalties, and Valverde was awarded player of the match by Spain's then-head coach Luis Enrique, earning praise from fans and even rival manager Diego Simeone.
Symmetrical Scorelines in Football History
Football has seen its share of high-scoring symmetrical results, where teams exchange identical scorelines in their meetings. One standout example comes from the 1983-84 Eredivisie season, where Utrecht beat Excelsior 7-4 in September, and Excelsior returned the favor with a 7-4 win in February, totaling 22 goals.
In English football, Charlton Athletic and Plymouth Argyle set a record in 1960-61 with 6-4 wins for each home side, contributing to a series of high-scoring encounters. Other notable symmetrical scores include Torquay and Millwall's 7-2 exchanges in 1956-57 and Aston Villa and Blackpool's 6-2 results in 1932-33.
Almost-One-Club Managers and Scottish Title Winners
Guy Roux's managerial career is a testament to loyalty, with 99.60% of his matches spent at Auxerre over 44 years, making him an almost-one-club manager. His brief stint at Lens in 2007 barely dented this remarkable statistic.
In Scottish football, winning titles with multiple clubs is rare. Kenny Miller and Mo Johnston are among the few to achieve this with both Celtic and Rangers in the last 40 years. Others like Mark Brown and Steven Pressley have also won titles with both clubs, often in supporting roles.
Players Outscoring Entire Teams
Erling Haaland's goal-scoring prowess has seen him outscore entire Premier League teams in recent seasons, a feat achieved by legends like Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo. Historical data shows such occurrences date back to Ian Rush in 1983-84, highlighting the impact of prolific strikers.
Unanswered Football Questions
The football community continues to ponder intriguing questions, such as the record for most permanent managers in a season, matches with few or no corners, and whether a hat-trick scorer has ever missed out on player of the match. These queries add depth to the sport's rich tapestry of statistics and stories.
