Footballers have scored goals off their backside to end droughts, as seen with Everton's Thierno Barry. This article explores such goals, political leaders attending club matches, long suspension gaps, and rapid equalisers.
Backside Goals That Broke Droughts
Dean Coney scored his only goal for Norwich in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in 1989, charging down a clearance from Nigel Spink that rebounded off his backside into the net. Robbie Slater scored his first goal for Australia with his backside against the Solomon Islands in his 21st international, the opening goal in a 6-2 win during qualification for France 98.
Souleymane Oularé scored the winning goal for Stoke City in a playoff semi-final against Cardiff in May 2002, with a free-kick from James O'Connor hitting him and bouncing in. Oularé, who had been out for almost four months due to a life-threatening blood clot, played just two games for Stoke.
Political Leaders at Club Matches
Andy Burnham and Mark Carney, both Everton fans, attended the Everton v Wolves Carabao Cup match, which Everton won 1-0. Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern attended two Newcastle v Manchester United games: a 1997 league match and the 1999 FA Cup final, both won by Manchester United.
David Cameron watched the 2012 Champions League final on TV with Barack Obama and Angela Merkel, but has not attended domestic matches. Blair and Ahern's attendance remains a rare occurrence for national leaders at club games.
Longest Gap Between Dismissal and Punishment
Oxford United goalkeeper Simon Eastwood was sent off in an EFL Trophy game on 9 January 2024, and his suspension will be served in a Championship game against Exeter, 999 days later. Éric Matoukou received a red card for Genk in 2010 and was given a two-match suspension, but has never served the second match due to club moves and lack of European qualification.
