The December days are flying by and Christmas is edging ever closer. We’re certainly feeling festive.
So today, we present to you a bumper version of our advent calendar, with extra facts, stats and everything in between.
Shirt Number: The Curse of Chelsea’s Number 9 Shirt
Chelsea are undoubtedly one of the biggest clubs in world football and have been known to splash a lot of cash.
However, despite spending hundreds of millions on some of the world’s best players over the years, the number nine shirt has always seemed to be not only cursed, but misused.
Steve Sidwell moved to Stamford Bridge on free transfer off the back of a solid season with newly promoted Reading. A box-to-box midfielder, he was given the unorthodox number by Jose Mourinho.
Some fans have hypothesised that the ‘Special One’ gave the Englishman the number to send a message to the Chelsea board over the lack of offensive reinforcements. Message received, Jose.
Steve Sidwell – Reading to Chelsea (2007) pic.twitter.com/akAQzE610q
— Transfersthathappened (@actualtransfers) July 23, 2022
Prior to Sidwell, centre-half Khalid Boulahrouz had donned the number for the West Londoners. Some suspect the decision to hand the defender the no.9 was to alleviate any added pressure from the perceived curse.
However, even a positional change couldn’t shake off the curse as midfielder Michael Essien was preferred to deputise in central defence ahead of the underperforming Dutchman.
When you add the likes of Alvaro Morata, Radamel Falcao and Hernan Crespo to the list, it brings back uncomfortable memories for the Blues. And that’s without mentioning Mateja Kezman, Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres and several more.
It probably comes to no surprise that no one has occupied the number since Lukaku. Apologies Chelsea fans for making you recollect those frustrating figures.
In recent years, football has developed to a point where it is almost a necessity for goalkeepers to be adept with their feet. Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos was way ahead of the curve.
At first glance, Campos wouldn’t strike fear into the opposition as he stood at an unimposing 5’6.
But the stopper was uniquely brilliant. In between the sticks he was acrobatic and brave and sometimes during the game he was deployed up front.
Yes, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Campos would be pushed into the striker position and was effective.
He ended up scoring 35 goals in his career, which resulted in him occasionally wearing the number nine. However, this meant sometimes he’d be up front with the number one and other times he’d be in goal with the number nine!
Eccentric, prolific and down right idiosyncratic. There will never be another Jorge Campos.
It’s Jorge Campos’s birthday today. Here’s the great man doing his thing in the MLS. pic.twitter.com/fWT3aPVqFc
— Cult Kits (@cultkits) October 15, 2021
Goals on this Day: A Trio of Volleys
There is a selection of Christmas crackers that have been scored on this day throughout history.
Jermain Defoe channelled his inner Marco van Basten for Sunderland against Crystal Palace back in 2017. The perennial goalscorer lifted the ball over Julian Speroni from an acute angle, which deservedly won the Goal of the Month Award.
Matty Taylor was familiar with scoring a screamer and he did just that at Fratton Park back in 2006. Without breaking stride, the Portsmouth winger perfectly connected with the ball on the volley to beat Everton’s Tim Howard from 40-yards out.
Finally, Aaron Ramsey’s moment of magic in the hostile atmosphere of Galatasaray’s stadium is worth a mention. A bouncing ball presented itself to the Welshman roughly 35 yards out and Ramsey managed to cushion and control the strike into the top corner.
📢 Reply to this with…
🏟 The best goal you’ve seen in a stadium
📺 The best goal you’ve seen on TV@aaronramsey‘s rocket must be up there 😅 pic.twitter.com/qFoScfGb4R
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 22, 2020
All different type of volleys, but all executed with aplomb.
Game on this Day: Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United
Robin Van Persie was the hero at the Etihad as the Red Devils prevailed over their noisy neighbours on this day in 2012.
The tide was turning in Manchester as Roberto Mancini had guided the Blue half to the Premier League title the season previous. However, Sir Alex Ferguson’s team would race into a two goal lead courtesy of a brace from Wayne Rooney.
City would respond after the interval with Yaya Toure netting before Pablo Zabaleta blasted in the equaliser.
The contest was perfectly poised going into stoppage time and new United hero Van Persie would snatch the winner. The Dutchman stepped up to take a free-kick which deflected off Samir Nasri before nestling into the bottom corner past Joe Hart.
The away end erupted with glee and relief, with the bragging rights secured for another season at least. Van Persie’s derby debut decisiveness proved pivotal as Manchester United won their 13th Premier League title come May.
Footballer Born on this Day: Billy Bremner
We would like to celebrate the life of Billy Bremner, on what would’ve been his 82nd birthday.
The Scotsman is largely recognised as Leeds United’s greatest captain of all time and a stature of him stands outside Elland Road.
Whilst wearing the armband, Bremner lead the Whites to two First Division Titles and an FA Cup triumph in 1972.
The midfielder’s presence was unassuming as he stood at a diminutive 5’5. But he certainly made up for his lack of stature with his tenacity, tireless energy and industrious play style.
He made nearly 600 appearances at Leeds and 54 caps for his country before retiring in 1978.
Bremner went on to manage the Yorkshire outfit and Doncaster Rovers in his post-playing career – earning promotion on two occasions with the latter.
He sadly passed in away in 1997 following a bout of pneumonia.
Stat: Ledley King’s Historic Strike
Ledley King was a one club man having spent his entire career with Tottenham Hotspur.
The Spurs legend made history in the year 2000 as he scored the quickest goal in the Premier League era.
Straight from kick-off, the Lilywhites burst down the pitch at Valley Parade and struck the earliest of blows to Bradford.
9.82 seconds 😱
Ledley King scored one of the #PL‘s fastest-ever goals for @SpursOfficial #OnThisDay in 2000 pic.twitter.com/xB5FMtvhdE
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 9, 2019
King is more commonly known as a central defender but in his earlier years he was deployed in midfield. This advanced role saw the ball land at his feet roughly 40 yards from goal.
The Tottenham academy graduate took a touch before firing a speculative effort past the flat-footed Matt Clarke and thus scoring the first goal under 10 seconds at 9.82.
As of the present day , the strike stands as the third fastest goal in Premier League history. King’s goal trails Shane Long’s against Watford (7.69 seconds) and Phillip Billing’ against Arsenal (9.11 seconds). Premier League Royalty.
Read – Tweets of the Week: Dead manager bounce, Merseyside Derby off, Arsenal corners
See Also – The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 8th
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