What a year of football! Highs, lows (depending on your team), drama, excitement and pretty much everything you could ask for. It’s been a barnstormer of a year on the pitch as well as off it, and we have been treat to some cracking fixtures. Admittedly, not every game has been full of goals, plenty of drab 0-0s have occurred, but nevertheless it’s been action packed weekends most of the year.

As with every single thing on the internet, these choices are purely subjective and often led by personal bias, however if you disagree then head over to Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) and let us know what your top 5 games of 2021 were.

5. Brentford 3-3 Liverpool

Brentford, the Premier League’s new boys, hosting arguably one of the world’s top sides playing at their highest potential, in their brand spanking new stadium. The stage was set for an instant classic, and an incredible game of football. The atmosphere was rocking as Brentford got the scoring underway inside half an hour, with Pinnock getting the first after getting on the end of a freekick, this was a short lived lead however when Jota equalised just minutes later. An offside call for Salah’s volley looked set to rule it out until VAR confirmed the goal should stand. Brentford went on to equalise with a Janelt header. Again minutes later, Jones gave Liverpool the advantage, however right at the death, a chip from Wissa sent the home fans wild and made this game, although only a draw, one of the best games of football seen across the year.

4. Manchester United 9-0 Southampton

In at no.4, Manchester United’s drubbing of Southampton, in a game that will long go down in the record books as for only the 3rd time in Premier League history, a team lost by 9 goals to nil. With a red card inside 2 minutes, United capitalised in style, scoring six before a late 2nd red for Southampton allowed United to turn it into 9 in the last 5 minutes of the game. With goals from 8 different scorers, pretty much everyone was getting in on the act for United and gave the home fans a night to remember.

3. Manchester United 0-5 Liverpool

From their night to remember, to a game to forget for Manchester United fans. This one pretty much had the writing on the wall for Solskjaer as his side slumped to a 5-0 drubbing from their close rivals Liverpool, at their home stadium. With United’s defence all over the shop, Liverpool and in particular Mo Salah capitalised, netting 3 goals to add to the earlier strikes from Keita and Jota. Pogba saw red in the 60th minute, but at already 5-0 down, it was a case of frustration and hopelessness all round, as both the players on the pitch, coaches on the sidelines and thousands watching inside Old Trafford and at home wondered where on earth the Red Devils go from here.

2. France 3-3 Switzerland

In at no.2, we have possibly the most entertaining game of the whole Euro 2020 tournament, as Switzerland were stunning against a strong French side, taking the scalp of the heavy favourites as they claimed a penalty victory in a close fought game. France went behind early before their attacking talent of Benzema and Pogba gave them a 3-1 lead, only to be brought back level in the 81st and then 90th minute goals for Switzerland. Heading into extra-time, Switzerland held on strong and resolutely, defending with everything they had, taking the game to a 50/50 penalty shootout, at which point, with perfect penalties, the Swiss keeper saved Mbappe’s spot kick, to send the World Champions home, and give Switzerland a historic win.

1. England 2-1 Denmark

In at 1, and although I have just moments ago mentioned the 3-3 being one of the highest rated games of the tournament, for me this one has to be at number 1 for the year, and what a game to be a part of. England were heading to a final after a Kane strike late into extra-time and following a missed penalty. It didn’t matter that the game was tense, close and possibly lucky for England with the controversial penalty call, but who cares, England were in a final! Let’s just not talk about what happened after. Denmark, the neutrals favourites were hero’s throughout the tournament, however it was a night to remember for myself and many England fans.