Top Ten: Brits in Europe

Last updated: 22nd March 2008

Cesc Fabregas Arsenal Milan celebration point

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In the light of Arsenal's San Siro heroics, James Dall looks at 10 memorable British away-leg performances in European competition.

2008: Milan 0 Arsenal 2

The Gunners surpassed their Real Madrid heroics - a 1-0 success at the Bernabeu in 2006 - with a breathtaking display to knock out the UEFA Champions League holders. An admirable performance that oozed style and the vigour of youth saw Arsene Wenger's men become the first English side to defeat Milan at the San Siro. Cesc Fabregas broke the deadlock in the 84th minute with long-range daisy-cutter, before Emmanuel Adebayor added gloss to a gloriously, polished performance.

2007: Barcelona 1 Liverpool 2

Champions League messiah Rafa Benitez guided Liverpool to their second Camp Nou success - their first was in 1976 when they made history with a 1-0 triumph. The Reds' two priceless away goals came after Deco had put Barca ahead with a header. Craig Bellamy got the equaliser after an inexplicable goalkeeping error from Victor Valdes - cue the Welshman's classic golf-swing celebration. And John Arne Riise - Bellamy's partner in crime - fired in the second to silence the Camp Nou.

2003: Internazionale 1 Arsenal 5

Inter were left devastated and stunned at the San Siro as Wenger's side ran riot, thumping five past the exposed Francesco Toldo. Thierry Henry got the ball rolling with a typically slick Arsenal move before the home side hit back courtesy of Christian Vieri's deflected strike. But The Gunners were not disheartened, and they went on to rip shreds in a surprisingly wobbly Inter defence, with Freddie Ljungberg, Henry, Edu and Robert Pires on target to make it a splendid evening to be a Gunner.

2001: Anderlecht 1 Leeds 4

Leeds smashed Anderlecht's outstanding home record - they had won 21 straight games, as well as their last nine in Europe - to smithereens as David O'Leary's men stuck four past the Belgian Champions. To put it simply, Leeds demolished their opponents, with Alan Smith (two) and Mark Viduka firing the visitors in front before Anderlecht hit a consolation. But The Whites were not finished; and Ian Harte pummelled in a penalty to secure his side's place in the last eight of the Champions League. Sky Sports commentator Alan Mullery even described it as the best ever performance by an English side away in Europe.

1999: Juventus 2 Manchester United 3

A dramatic and inspiring comeback set United on their way to claim European Cup glory in 1999. With the tie delicately poised after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, The Red Devils' European dream appeared to be over when Filippo Inzaghi hit a four-minute brace. But - renowned for their never say die attitude - Sir Alex Ferguson's men hit back, first through Roy Keane and then Dwight Yorke, before the break. Andy Cole then completed a glorious turnaround - outrageous entertainment.

1993: Bayern Munich 1 Norwich 2

Norwich remain the only British side to have defeated Bayern at the Olympiastadion; and for that they deserve hearty applause. Few gave The Canaries a prayer as they readied themselves for a monumental fixture in Germany. But the doubters were silenced when Jeremy Goss hit a quite brilliant volley past Raimond Aumann. Another shock was in store, though, as Mark Bowen's header doubled the away side's lead. Bayern did get themselves on the scoresheet, but that meant little as Norwich held on to deservedly revel in their achievement. There is nothing quite like an upset, is there?

1987: Barcelona 1 Dundee United 2

Dundee United repeated their 1966 heroics to maintain their 100 per cent competitive record against the Spanish giants with a fourth triumph. Ramon Maria Caldere did hand the home side the lead when he struck home after Dundee failed to deal with a corner. Jim McLean's side rallied, though, and sent the pocket of travelling support bananas when John Clark headed in off the bar. And Iain Ferguson filled Dundee hearts with further delirium when he nodded home from close range to complete a wonderful comeback.

1981: Dinamo Tbilisi 0 West Ham 1

While The Hammers' Cup Winners' Cup success in Georgia was not enough to take them through to the semi-finals, the result on its own was highly impressive. Furthermore, this fixture is an unorthodox choice, meaning it is bound to spark debate - which is largely healthy. Anyway, Second Division West Ham were drawn against Dinamo Tbilisi during a time when their opponents were at the height of their powers; running riot in their domestic league and eventually lifting the Cup Winners' Cup. Stuart Pearson struck the only goal of the game with three minutes remaining to ensure West Ham departed the competition with their heads held high. Promotion to the First Division duly followed.

1975: Barcelona 1 Leeds 1

After claiming a 2-1 triumph at Elland Road, the second leg in Spain had all the makings of a tense affair. And that it was, as Leeds snuck past the Spanish giants 3-2 on aggregate. Peter Lorimer struck early on for the visitors to ease some of the jangling nerves, however Clares levelled before Gordon McQueen was dismissed to set up an anxious ending to the encounter. But The Whites held on, with their anxiety transforming into sheer joy as they booked their place in their first European Cup Final.

1966: Benfica 1 Manchester United 5

We're going way, way back now. A famous year for English football, what with the small matter of World Cup glory, but revelling in that one-time success is for another time. United's second top 10 entry - the 1968 six-goal thriller versus Real narrowly missed out - comes courtesy of the 5-1 walloping of Benfica. The Portuguese outfit had not lost at home in seven seasons of European action prior to locking horns with Sir Matt Busby's men. It was an evening on which George Best - the 'fifth Beatle' - he demonstrated his magic with a brilliant brace. No more words can describe that man's grace or United's display.

Comments

Archie Loudon (Rangers fan) says...

what about ragers beating leeds at at elland road 2 super goals by mccoist and hately that was outstanding

Posted 17:45 9th June 2008

Goon Er (Arsenal fan) says...

wat about arsenal v real madrid at the bernabeu. 1st ever english team 2 beat them der.

Posted 16:49 8th June 2008

Ricky Martin (Liverpool fan) says...

Not to be bias but... surely the 2005 champions league final should be there..oh and the two games of utter thrashing liverpool 8 : 0 Besikta and Arsenal 7:0 Sparta Prague

Posted 14:47 8th June 2008

Jon Edwards (Aston Villa fan) says...

If only villa was a london club maybe they would get the respect they deserve !! west ham was impressive but didnt win the cup. The villa did and were underdogs throughout the campaign but still no mention.

Posted 10:27 7th June 2008

Ste G (Arsenal fan) says...

most of you are STUPID! the topic is brits in europe so basically away legs!, arsenal v milan deserves to be there along with arsenal v inter, liverpools champs final 2005 should be and rangers in lyon too, all excellent.

Posted 02:25 7th June 2008

Callum Wilde (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Oh yeh, Arsenal beating AC Milan in the San Siro, a team that finished 5th in the Italian league, equally the poorest league along with the French League. I understand why Norwich is in there but you could say Bolton beating Atletico Mardird who Barcelona lost to 4-2 and we didnt even concede a goal aganist them in both legs. West Ham might have beaten a top european team but I have never heard of them. BOLTON the 1st and ONLY British team to beat Red Star Belgrade in Belgrade.

Posted 11:21 29th May 2008

Noelly Foley (Celtic fan) says...

Can't believe Celtic's win against Inter Milan in 1967 is not there. Every player living within such a close proximity to each other.. That achievement will never be matched..

Posted 15:45 26th May 2008

John Whelan (Everton fan) says...

Surely the Everton v Bayern Munich CWC semi final 2nd leg in 1985 deserves a mention. Everton earned a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Then in the return leg Bayern took a first half lead, then in the second half Everton scored three goals to cement their passage to the final which they won. Just ask Andy Gray. He'll give the Everton fans credit as well for sucking his shot in to the back of the net for him!

Posted 14:52 17th May 2008

Michael Wannop (Middlesbrough fan) says...

your bias showing through again hwo can you not have boro's uefa quarter and semi finals against basel and bucahrest

Posted 11:46 17th May 2008

Andrew Illingworth (Liverpool fan) says...

Champions league final 2005 has got to be one of the best come backs of all time. Against AC Milan who were winning 3-0 the mighty Liverpool came back to 3-3 and won it on penaltys!

Posted 10:45 17th May 2008

Callum M (Aston Villa fan) says...

I find it hard to believe that Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich is not in that list. We were underdogs in the final and beat arguably europes best to win the european cup!

Posted 10:39 14th May 2008

Mark Beck (Rangers fan) says...

Lyon 0 - 3 Rangers has got to be on here! they were regarded as potential winners of the champions league at the start of the competition. yet we beat them 3-0 in France, got to be one of the best away results! pity about the return game

Posted 16:16 11th May 2008

Frank Ferrari (Ipswich Town fan) says...

No Ipswich Town beating the great Saint Etienne team on their turf in March 1981 4-1...tut tut ! This was when Saint Etienne ruled the roost and Ipswich had their fabulous title chasing team with Mills, Mariner and Butcher et al. Shocking omission and it panders to the Johnny-come-latelies with short memories. For those of you with slightly longer ones, this victory ranks as one of the greatest by a British tam. Not only were ASSE defeated soundly ( never ever been beaten at home in Europe before ) but set Ipswich up for their EUFA cup win. That will never ever happen again today in football's money dominated era.

Posted 14:52 11th May 2008

Jonny Hick (Leeds United fan) says...

I think leeds' victory against Lazio was better than the anderlecht one as we were under the cosh for long periods and the goal scores by smith was outstanding.

Posted 22:47 10th May 2008

John Jackson (Chelsea fan) says...

We seem to forget Valencia (1)- Chelsea (2), consecutively. The first English team to have beaten Valencia on their own soil, not to mention consecutively. (1) Barcelona v Liverpool (2) must never be taken off memory Milan (0) v Arsenal (2) is Legendary, it cannot and should never be forgotten. Arsenal deserves the best of all Lucks but I cannot imagine or yet figure out what is going wrong with the team, that they have now become the 'Golden Losers'.

Posted 20:18 28th April 2008

Tom Gibson (Newcastle United fan) says...

How can you forget newcastle's 2-2 draw at the san siro and their victory in feyenoord?

Posted 16:42 28th April 2008

Krishan Khatri (Chelsea fan) says...

How can you not have: Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona with John Terry's header? and Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona with Hilario in goal and a wonder Didier Drogba goal? and in Rome, Lazio 0-4 Chelsea?

Posted 15:38 28th April 2008

Sandy Thomson (Dundee United fan) says...

What about Dundee United being the first British team to win in Spain in a European competition at the Nou Camp in 1966 beating Barca 2-1 and 4-1 on aggregate. Billy Hainey scoring in both games.

Posted 10:19 24th April 2008

Steve Wiggins (Liverpool fan) says...

1984 eurupean cup final Roma v Liverpool. o.k we won on penalties but roma was playing at home . Shouldn;t av been allowed

Posted 23:04 23rd April 2008

Sean patrick O'donnell (Rangers fan) says...

rangers 3-0 win in lyon this year could get a mention, then again we pretty much scored with our only attempts on target, and it beggars belief that lyon didnt finish from thier constant barrage of chances. in fact, how we got that result i'll never know, christ we have been lucky in europe this year!

Posted 22:08 20th April 2008

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