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In Pictures: The moments that defined soccer in 2011
These past 12 months have given us plenty to talk about with great goals, big embarrassments, stunning achievements and more – here's some of the best snaps of the year
Dec 25, 2011 6:15:00 AM
By James Daly
Football, eh? Bloody hell. Or something more original that someone else didn't say 12 years ago. But let's face it, 2011 has been one epic ride on the rollercoaster that is the world of football.
We've had players refusing to take to the pitch, fans refusing to back their manager, FIFA president Sepp Blatter refusing to accept there is racism in the game and Wayne Rooney refusing to put up with his receding hairline much longer.
Goal.com takes you through the biggest headlines of the year in glorious photographic medium.
We've had players refusing to take to the pitch, fans refusing to back their manager, FIFA president Sepp Blatter refusing to accept there is racism in the game and Wayne Rooney refusing to put up with his receding hairline much longer.
Goal.com takes you through the biggest headlines of the year in glorious photographic medium.
January
Long live the king | 'King Kenny' Dalglish returned to the Liverpool dugout after 20 years
What a twit! | Ryan Babel was fined after posting this mocked photo of Howard Webb
Fifty spent | Chelsea shelled out a record 50 million pounds on Fernando Torres from Liverpool
February
Wayne's world | Rooney scores the goal of the season in Manchester derby
Tiote's OK | Newcastle midfielder scores last minute equalizer vs. Arsenal in 4-4 classic
Brum rap | Birmingham won the League Cup, but was relegated just three months later
March
Rino the wino | Gattuso goes mental and headbutts Spurs coach Joe Jordan
April
About time | Andy Carroll finally scores his first Liverpool goals, three months after joining
Head down | Rooney bizarely celebrates his goal against Chelsea in the Champions League
May
Worth the wait | Manchester City ended its trophy drought with FA Cup success
Worth the wait | Manchester City ended its trophy drought with FA Cup successRecord breakers | United celebrate its 19th top flight title, overtaking Liverpool
Catalan kings | Barcelona ruins United's day in Champions League final
Bo Selecta | Villas-Boas wins Europa League at first attempt with Porto
June
Muy bien! | Young Spanish stars win their third U21 European Championships title
New Blue | While that man Villas-Boas swaps Porto for west London
Hair we go | And Rooney celebrates the league win in style: with a hair transplant
July
Late Serg | City signal its intentions by signing Atletico star Sergio Aguero
Here come the girls | Japan deservedly win the FIFA Women's World Cup title in Germany
August
Big love | There's only one thing Balotelli loves more than Man City: himself
Don't eight us | Arsenal fans have a day to forget at Old Trafford in the league
Pain in Spain | While the Supa Copa brings out the worst of Real and Barca
September
No thanks | Tevez starts his City decline by refusing to play at Bayern Munich
Not Kean | Blackburn fans start the first of many protests against their team's manager
October
Why Always Me? | Balotelli reveals his infamous t-shirt in City's 6-1 rout at Old Trafford
Red mist | Rooney receives a three-match ban, later reduced to two, for kicking out
Race row | Terry is accused of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand during 1-0 loss
November
Foot in mouth | FIFA president Blatter suggests racism could be sorted with handshake
Mourning | The world of football pays respects to Gary Speed, who died aged 42
Cup shock | Crystal Palace knocks Manchester United out of the League Cup at Old Trafford
December
Swiss LOL | United exit the Champions League also - to Swiss side Basel
Punished | Suarez is given eight-game ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra
Inside Goal.Com
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RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
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ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
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ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
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LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
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McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.