Football's Unlikely Heroes: When Red Cards Don't Stop Player of the Match Awards
In the world of football, being sent off typically spells disaster for a player's performance rating. However, there are rare and fascinating instances where a red card hasn't prevented a footballer from being named player of the match. This phenomenon highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport, where moments of brilliance or tactical nous can overshadow disciplinary missteps.
Red-Carded Stars Who Stole the Show
Anthony Gordon's Controversial Dismissal: In 2024, during Newcastle's thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over West Ham, Anthony Gordon was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. Ironically, the TNT commentary team had just declared him the player of the match moments before his sending-off. Some argued that substitute Harvey Barnes, who scored twice, might have been a more deserving recipient, but Gordon's impact earlier in the game secured him the accolade.
Amad Diallo's Dramatic Winner: Another memorable case occurred in Manchester United's epic FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool in 2024. Amad Diallo, already on a yellow card, scored the winning goal in extra time, only to receive a second booking for removing his shirt in celebration. Despite the red card, fans voted him player of the match, recognising his crucial contribution to the 4-3 victory.
Lauren James' Late Red: Back in October 2019, while playing for Manchester United in the Women's Super League, Lauren James was sent off after accumulating two late yellow cards during a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. The BBC commentary team had just announced her as player of the match, making her dismissal a bittersweet moment in an otherwise dominant performance.
Lee Steele's FA Cup Heroics: In 2006, Lee Steele scored both goals for Chester City in an FA Cup second-round match against Bury, but also picked up two yellow cards—the second for celebrating with the crowd. After a 2-2 draw, Chester lost the replay but were reinstated when Bury were expelled for fielding an ineligible player. Steele's efforts were pivotal, though the spotlight later shifted to Jonathan Walters, whom Ipswich signed for £100,000 after he impressed in the subsequent round.
Federico Valverde's Tactical Masterclass: Perhaps the most iconic example comes from the 2020 Spanish Super Cup final, where Real Madrid's Federico Valverde was awarded player of the match despite receiving a red card. With the game goalless late on, Valverde fouled Álvaro Morata to prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity, a move that helped Real win 4-1 on penalties. His dark-arts intervention earned praise from fans, calls for a statue, and even grudging respect from Atlético Madrid's Diego Simeone.
Symmetrical Scorelines and Goal-Fests
Beyond red-card dramas, football history is rich with unusual symmetrical scorelines. For instance, in the 1960-61 Division Two season, Charlton Athletic and Plymouth Argyle each won 6-4 on home turf in consecutive days, contributing to a record 60 goals across eight matches between 1959-60 and 1962-63. Other notable examples include Torquay and Millwall exchanging 7-2 victories in 1956-57, and Aston Villa and Blackpool doing the same with 6-2 wins in 1932-33.
The most impressive aggregate came from the Eredivisie in 1983-84, where Utrecht beat Excelsior 7-4 in September, only for Excelsior to exact revenge with a 7-4 win in February, totalling 22 goals across two matches.
Scottish Two-Club Title Winners
In Scottish football, winning the title with more than one club is a rare feat. Over the past 40 years, notable players include Mo Johnston, who triumphed with Celtic in 1985-86 and Rangers in 1989-90 and 1990-91, and Kenny Miller, who achieved similar success with Celtic in 2005-06 and Rangers in 2008-09 to 2010-11. Other examples are backup goalkeeper Mark Brown and defender Steven Pressley, who both won titles with both Old Firm clubs, albeit in limited roles.
Almost-One-Club Managers
Guy Roux stands out as an almost-one-club manager, having overseen Auxerre for 1,747 matches over 44 years from 1961 to 2005. His brief stint with Lens in 2007 for seven matches means that 99.60% of his managerial career was dedicated to Auxerre, cementing his legacy in French football.
Knowledge Archive: Players Outscoring Teams
In the Premier League era, it's not uncommon for prolific scorers to outscore entire teams. For example, in 2024-25, Erling Haaland and Brentford's Igor Thiago both scored more goals than Wolverhampton Wanderers. Historical instances include Mohamed Salah outscoring three teams in 2017-18 and Ruud van Nistelrooy surpassing Sunderland in 2002-03. Before 1992, such feats were rarer, but Ian Rush outscored Wolves in 1983-84, and Francis Lee did the same to Huddersfield in 1971-72.
Seeking More Football Curiosities
Football enthusiasts continue to ponder intriguing questions, such as the most permanent managers a club has had in one season, matches with few or no corners, and whether a hat-trick scorer has ever been denied a player of the match award. These queries highlight the sport's endless capacity for surprise and debate, inviting fans to delve deeper into its rich tapestry of stories and statistics.
