2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season
Luton also missed out on the chance of a Wembley final and potential silverware, losing to Mansfield Town in the FA Trophy semi-finals.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season
Manager Richard Money, who had experienced a tempestuous relationship with Luton fans, left the club by mutual consent on 28 March 2011 following a 2–1 loss to relegation-threatened Southport. He was replaced by assistant manager Gary Brabin.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season
This article covers the period from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Background
A 30-point deduction imposed upon Luton Town for financial irregularities effectively crippled their chances of escaping relegation from The Football League in the 2008–09 season. As a result, the club played the next season in a division outside The Football League for the first time in 89 years.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Background
Their campaign in the Conference Premier ended in dashed hopes – Luton were favourites for promotion at the start of the year and, although the club rarely ventured any lower than the play-off positions for the entire duration of the season, it required a change in management for the club to begin actively challenging for the title. Richard Money replaced Mick Harford in October 2009, eventually leading the club on a winning run of games throughout the final third of the season that almost saw them topple ultimate victors Stevenage. In the end, the club had to settle for second place in the league, and faced fifth-placed side York City in the play-off semi-final. Luton lost both legs of the semi-final 1–0, consigning them to another year in non-League football.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Background
The end of the previous season had seen Luton sign three players on free transfers; Cambridge United top scorer Danny Crow and teammate Dan Gleeson joined, as well as Notts County goalkeeper and former Luton loanee Kevin Pilkington.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July
Stevenage winger Andy Drury joined the club on 1 July on a free transfer, after an agreement to sign the player was reached towards the end of May.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July
Assistant manager Gary Brabin confirmed on 2 July that Kenyan striker Taiwo Atieno had not been retained by the club.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July
On 6 July, former Oxford United captain Adam Murray joined Luton on a two-year contract after his release.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July
Home friendlies were arranged against Premier League teams Liverpool and Newcastle United, while Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock were also scheduled to visit Kenilworth Road. A friendly game against Marlow was arranged to mark the 125th anniversary of Luton Town; Marlow being Luton's first ever opponents in the year of the club's formation in 1885. Luton won the game 3–1, and commemorated the occasion by wearing the blue and pink club colours used in 1885.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July
Three trialists, midfielders Stefan Bailey and Ciarán Toner, and Hungarian goalkeeper Matyas Estherhazy, joined Luton for pre-season training. All played in a 5–1 victory over near-neighbours Hitchin Town on 15 July.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July
On 16 July, it was announced that defender Lewis Emanuel had not joined the club for pre-season training and had subsequently been released after four seasons as a Luton player.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July
Dan Walker and Zdeněk Kroča, two further trialists, joined Luton for the latter stages of pre-season. Kroča scored the winning goal in a 1–0 friendly victory over Kilmarnock, while Walker, who had previously been playing for Bedford Town, impressed enough to be offered a one-year contract. He signed for the club on 31 July.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, August
Following a second impressive appearance in a 4–1 victory over a Newcastle United XI, Czech defender Kroča signed a one-year contract. His fellow countryman, defensive midfielder Pavel Besta, also played in the game. Manager Richard Money confirmed that he was finalising a deal to sign Besta and, on 6 August, he too signed a one-year contract.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, August
Luton began the season on 14 August with a 2–1 win against Altrincham. Kroča scored on his competitive debut to give Luton the lead, and Matthew Barnes-Homer grabbed the winner in the 88th minute after Altrincham pulled a goal back midway through the second half.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, August
Barnes-Homer scored a hat-trick in a 3–1 away victory over Kettering Town on 17 August. He scored two penalties as Kettering finished the match with nine men. Four days later Luton secured a third consecutive victory over Fleetwood Town.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, August
The club's 100% record was ended with a 1–1 home draw against newly promoted Newport County on 24 August in a game that saw Keith Keane sent off late on. However, results elsewhere meant Luton remained top of the table with 10 points from their opening four matches.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, August
On 27 August, it was confirmed that midfielder Kevin Nicholls had left the club by "respectful, mutual consent", after volunteering to be released from his contract. He had been recovering from knee surgery, and stated that he did not want to drain the club's resources while not contributing on the pitch. The same day, veteran defender Alan White left the club by mutual consent. White had not played a game for Luton since December 2009.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, August
Tamworth inflicted Luton's first defeat of the season on 28 August with a 3–1 victory at The Lamb Ground, and two days later Luton drew 1–1 at home with Hayes & Yeading United. This result left the club in fourth place in the table at the end of the month, two points behind leaders Mansfield Town.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, August
On 31 August Tom Craddock, Luton's top scorer the previous season, signed for League Two side Oxford United for an undisclosed fee.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, September
On 2 September, striker Taiwo Atieno, who had been released from Luton in July and had subsequently been training with South African champions Supersport United, re-signed for the club on a contract until January 2011.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, September
Grimsby Town inflicted Luton's second defeat of the season on 4 September, leaving the club searching for their first win in four games. This was soon achieved in the next game, with a 2–0 home victory against Cambridge United.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, September
On 15 September, youth team midfielders Taylor Nathaniel and Adam Watkins, who had made their debuts for Luton the previous season, were sent on loan to Southern Football League Division One Central sides Barton Rovers and Arlesey Town, respectively.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, September
On 17 September, Luton beat league leaders AFC Wimbledon 3–0 with goals from George Pilkington, Zdeněk Kroča and Matthew Barnes-Homer. Young striker Dan Walker also made his debut for the club. Four days later, Luton came from behind to secure a 2–2 draw with recently relegated Darlington; Claude Gnakpa and Jake Howells scoring the Hatters' goals. Luton faced another trip to North East England four days later to face Gateshead, in a game they lost 1–0 and had striker Taiwo Atieno sent off in the first half. Atieno's red card was later rescinded by the Football Association.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, September
The club signed 21-year-old striker Amari Morgan-Smith on a free transfer on 28 September. Morgan-Smith was out of contract having previously been released from Ilkeston Town when the club went out of business earlier in September. He scored on his Luton debut the same day as they won 2–0 against Mansfield Town. Danny Crow also scored his first goal for the club in a game that saw Luton miss three penalties.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, October
Summer signing Adam Murray signed for Mansfield Town on a three-month loan on 1 October, with a view to a permanent transfer on 1 January 2011.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, October
Luton won their first away game since mid-August a day later with a 1–0 victory over Barrow. A 2–1 home loss to league leaders Crawley Town on 5 October left Luton eight points behind them. An Andy Drury penalty had given Luton the lead midway through the second half, though Crawley hit back in the closing stages to snatch a win, with Craig McAllister eventually scoring the winner two minutes into added time.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, October
An 11-day break without a game ended on 16 October with a 4–2 victory at Eastbourne Borough, Danny Crow scoring two goals. Three days later, Luton recorded their biggest win of the season so far with a 6–1 home victory over Forest Green Rovers. Crow continued his recent scoring run with two further goals, while Barnes-Homer netted his ninth of the season. The game also saw young striker Dan Walker score his first goal for the club with a 25-yard strike.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, October
On 22 October, striker Kevin Gallen, who had not played for Luton since the beginning of September, signed for League Two club Barnet on loan until 8 January 2011.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, October
Luton's goalscoring continued on 23 October with a 4–0 victory in the FA Cup 4th qualifying round against Conference South side St Albans City. Amari Morgan-Smith scored a hat-trick, with Danny Crow scoring once again.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, October
Goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington joined his former club Mansfield Town on loan for three months on 28 October.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, October
Luton celebrated their 125th anniversary on 30 October with a 3–1 victory over struggling Bath City. Goals from Danny Crow, George Pilkington and a first Luton goal from Taiwo Atieno lifted Luton to third in the table, three points behind Crawley Town.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
On 5 November, young duo Dan Walker and Godfrey Poku signed contract extensions until June 2012. Youth team defender Alex Lacey also signed his first professional contract with the club the same day.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
Luton drew 1–1 with Conference North side Corby Town in the FA Cup First Round on 6 November. The result meant the two teams would play a replay at Kenilworth Road on 17 November.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
York City and former Wales under-21 international midfielder Alex Lawless joined Luton on 8 November. Lawless initially joined on loan, with a permanent transfer taking place in January 2011.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
A 1–0 loss to Wrexham on 11 November was swiftly followed up two days later with a 1–0 win over Altrincham. This game saw Lawless score his first goal for the club.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
Barrow striker Jason Walker signed for Luton on 17 November on a similar deal to Alex Lawless – a loan deal until January 2011, in which the transfer would then become permanent. Walker had scored 45 league goals for Barrow over the course of four seasons, including the winning goal in the club's FA Trophy victory the previous season.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
17 November also saw Luton play their FA Cup replay against Corby Town – the game ended in a 4–2 victory to the Hatters, with Matthew Barnes-Homer, Taiwo Atieno and Claude Gnakpa scoring the goals. This win set up a Second Round tie away to League One side Charlton Athletic.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
Luton's run of four games in ten days ended in a 5–1 win at home to struggling Histon on 20 November. Jason Walker scored a debut goal as the club moved to one point behind league leaders Crawley Town in the table.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
On 25 November 19-year-old midfielder Jake Howells signed a new two-year contract with the club.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
The day of the loan transfer deadline, 26 November, saw Luton make two further signings to bolster their squad. Northampton Town defender Craig Hinton was drafted in on loan until 4 January 2011 as cover for the injured Shane Blackett, while 24-year-old Newport County winger Charlie Henry was signed on an initial loan with a permanent transfer arranged for January 2011. Henry had previously been part of the Luton youth set-up as a 15-year-old.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
A day later, Luton drew 2–2 with Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup; a team 49 places above them in the league hierarchy. Two goals from midfielder Andy Drury ensured a replay at Kenilworth Road on 9 December.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November
A top-of-the-table clash against AFC Wimbledon had to be postponed on 30 November due to a frozen pitch at Kingsmeadow.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, December
The severe winter weather continued from November, resulting in Luton's next league game against Forest Green Rovers on 4 December also being postponed.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, December
On 8 December, it was announced that defender Fred Murray was to be out of action for up to four weeks due to a hernia operation, adding to the injuries to fellow defenders Shane Blackett and long-term victim Adam Newton.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, December
Luton fell to a 3–1 home defeat to Charlton Athletic on 9 December, putting them out of the FA Cup. Zdeněk Kroča opened the scoring in the first half, but goals from Scott Wagstaff, Joe Anyinsah and Johnnie Jackson saw Charlton progress. Injuries continued to mount as it was announced Danny Crow had injured his ankle and Amari Morgan-Smith had fractured his cheekbone during the game.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, December
An FA Trophy First Round tie against Welling United on 12 December finished in a 0–0 draw, with a youthful Luton side having to travel to Park View Road on 14 December for a replay. Luton won the replay 2–1 in a game that resulted in the lowest ever crowd for a competitive match featuring the club; 404 fans were in attendance at Welling, beating the previous low of 469 set at Thames on 6 December 1930. Youth team players Cauley Woodrow and Newman Carney made their Luton debuts during the victory.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, December
A midday kick-off against York City on 18 December was abandoned after 55 minutes with the score at 0–0 due to heavy snow.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, December
The traditional footballing Christmas period was also hit by the weather; Luton's Boxing Day game at Rushden & Diamonds and home game on 28 December against Tamworth were both postponed due to frozen pitches. This meant the club had not played a single league game since 20 November, leaving them with a total of six games to re-arrange for the New Year. This left Luton in fourth place in the table at the end of December, albeit with up to three games more to play than their rivals.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, December
Young striker Dan Walker was sent on a one-month loan to divisional rivals Eastbourne Borough on 31 December.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
Luton started 2011 with a 3–0 home win over Rushden & Diamonds on New Year's Day. Matthew Barnes-Homer scored his twelfth and thirteenth goals of the season, with Claude Gnakpa adding the final goal in what was the club's first league game in 42 days. Three days later, Gnakpa scored the only goal of the game in a 1–0 away win against Hayes & Yeading United.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
The loan transfers of Charlie Henry, Alex Lawless and Jason Walker all became permanent on 4 January, while on-loan defender Craig Hinton returned to Northampton Town after playing in just two FA Trophy games. Midfielder Adam Murray completed his permanent transfer to Mansfield Town the same day.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
Luton drew 0–0 with Bath City on 8 January, and followed this result up with another goalless draw away to league leaders AFC Wimbledon four days later. These two results saw the club move into second place in the league.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
Luton progressed into the third round of the FA Trophy with a 4–0 victory over Uxbridge on 15 January. Taiwo Atieno and youth team product Adam Watkins scored two goals apiece which set up another home tie against Conference North side Gloucester City in early February. Youth team players Christian Tavernier and Alasan Ann also made their Luton debuts during the game.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
On 18 January, Luton signed out-of-contract 34-year-old Ghanaian striker Lloyd Owusu on a deal running until May 2011. Owusu scored on his debut on the same day as Luton secured a comprehensive 5–0 win over York City. York had goalkeeper Michael Ingham sent off early in the first half, which saw Andy Drury open the scoring from the resulting free-kick. Goals from Claude Gnakpa, Zdeněk Kroča and Taiwo Atieno followed, as York had Jonathan Smith also shown a red card late on.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
Injury problems began to mount at the club; winger Charlie Henry, who had yet to play a game for Luton, was ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot ligament problem. Amari Morgan-Smith and Jason Walker suffered ankle and hamstring injuries respectively, defender Dan Gleeson picked up an ankle injury in the game against York City, and long-term defensive absentees Fred Murray, Shane Blackett and Adam Newton were still no closer to full fitness.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
On 22 January, Luton drew 2–2 at home with Gateshead. Gateshead took a 2–0 lead early in the first half before goals from Danny Crow and Claude Gnakpa put the clubs back on level footing, though Gateshead played the second half with only 10 men after Ben Clark was sent off.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
Three days later, Gnakpa scored his eighth goal of the season as Luton emerged as 1–0 victors in a close game with Grimsby Town. This meant the club ended January in third place in the league having gone through the month unbeaten.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
Twenty-year-old Cambridge United winger Robbie Willmott signed for Luton for £50,000 on an 18-month contract on 28 January.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January
On 31 January, transfer deadline day, midfielder Andy Drury was bought by Championship side Ipswich Town for £150,000. Drury had scored 8 goals in his 26 games for Luton. Striker Taiwo Atieno and midfielder Pavel Besta were released from the club the same day. Both had found regular first-team places difficult to hold down, making only 17 starts between them. Later that day, Kevin Gallen and youth-team graduate Taylor Nathaniel were also both released. Half an hour before the transfer window shut, Luton confirmed the loan signing of defender Luke Graham from Kettering Town until the end of the season.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, February
Four goals in the last twenty minutes from Claude Gnakpa, Alex Lawless and two from Lloyd Owusu secured a 4–0 home victory over Darlington on 1 February. Robbie Willmott and Luke Graham made their debuts as substitutes during the match.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, February
Graham scored the winning goal on his full debut, a 1–0 victory over Gloucester City on 4 February, that put Luton into the quarter-final of the FA Trophy.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, February
Luton were defeated for the first time in 11 league games as Fleetwood Town beat them 3–1 at Kenilworth Road on 12 February.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, February
On 18 February, with the loan transfer window opened, Cambridge United midfielder Paul Carden signed for Luton on loan until the end of the season. Young striker Dan Walker went in the opposite direction, signing for Cambridge on a one-month loan. The same day, Carden made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Newport County. Luton took the lead in the first-half through Willmott, but were pegged back via a last-minute Newport penalty.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, February
Luton beat Guiseley 1–0 on 26 February to earn a place in the FA Trophy semi-final, Matthew Barnes-Homer scoring the winner.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, March
On 1 March a goal from Lloyd Owusu gave Luton a 1–0 away win against Forest Green Rovers. Four days later, Luton drew 1–1 at home to in-form Kidderminster Harriers. This was then followed up three days later with a 2–0 victory over Tamworth.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, March
On 13 March, Luton lost the first leg of the FA Trophy semi-final 1–0 at Mansfield Town.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, March
Two days later, Luton drew 0–0 away to Cambridge United in the league.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, March
On 19 March, Luton were knocked out of the FA Trophy after a 1–1 draw at home to Mansfield. Alex Lawless and Claude Gnakpa were sent off during the game.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, March
With the league now their priority, Luton secured a 1–0 away win over Rushden & Diamonds on 22 March, Robbie Willmott scoring the only goal.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, March
On 25 March, defender Ed Asafu-Adjaye joined Histon on loan until the end of the season. Later that day, 16-year-old striker Cauley Woodrow, who had made three Luton appearances, was signed by Premier League side Fulham for an undisclosed six-figure fee.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, March
Luton lost 2–1 to relegation-threatened Southport on 26 March, producing a result and performance that caused manager Richard Money to apologise to the fans.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, March
The result, and run of form that had seen Luton slip to 15 points behind leaders Crawley Town, led to Money being replaced as manager by his assistant Gary Brabin on 28 March.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, March
Brabin's first game in charge, on 29 March, ended in a 0–0 home draw against Barrow.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, April
Luton drew 3–3 with Kidderminster Harriers on 2 April in an attacking display of football, marking the first time in over two months, and over the course of 13 games, that the club had scored more than two goals in a match. Robbie Willmott, Claude Gnakpa and Jason Walker were on the scoresheet. A third consecutive draw followed on 5 April, the club drawing 2–2 with Kettering Town with Jake Howells and Amari Morgan-Smith scoring the goals.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, April
Luton claimed their first win under Gary Brabin's management with a 6–0 home victory over Southport. Luton were forced to settle for, at most, a play-off place, as a win for league leaders Crawley Town the same afternoon meant they claimed the Conference Premier title with five games left of the season.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, April
Crawley then hosted Luton three days later, resulting in a 1–1 draw. Another draw followed on 16 April, with Luton gaining a point from a 0–0 stalemate at Mansfield Town.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, April
Luton lost their first game under Brabin's tenure on 19 April, losing 1–0 away to York City. This left the club needing just one point from their remaining 3 games to secure a place in the play-offs. This was duly achieved on 23 April, as a dominant 3–0 win over already-relegated Eastbourne Borough cemented their play-off place.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, April
The goals continued to flow, as a 4–0 victory over Histon on 25 April guaranteed Luton would play fourth-placed Wrexham in the play-off semi-finals. The game saw goals from Matthew Barnes-Homer, his 18th and 19th of the season, Amari Morgan-Smith and Claude Gnakpa. Coincidentally, the final league game of the season on 30 April was also against Wrexham, which ended in a 1–1 draw.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, May
The first leg of the play-off semi-final on 5 May was won by Luton in emphatic fashion as they registered a 3–0 away victory against Wrexham. All goals came during a 20-minute barrage in the first half, beginning with a 25-yard strike from Alex Lawless, then a powerful rising shot into the top-corner from Claude Gnakpa, finished by an 18-yard half-volley from defender Ed Asafu-Adjaye, his first senior goal for the club.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, May
The club sealed their place in the play-off final with a 2–1 home win in the second leg on 10 May. Wrexham scored first, dominating the opening of the game, with Luton indebted to Mark Tyler for not going further behind by saving a penalty. However, Luton hit back with goals from Zdeněk Kroča and Jason Walker to register a 5–1 aggregate win.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, May
Luton's opponents for the play-off final at the City of Manchester Stadium on 21 May were AFC Wimbledon. A tight game, which saw both clubs hit the post, saw the clubs play a goalless draw into extra time. No goals in this period led to a penalty shootout, which Wimbledon emerged victorious from with a 4–3 shootout win after penalty misses from Alex Lawless and Jason Walker. This meant Luton would contest a third successive non-League season in 2011–12.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, May
Gary Brabin, contracted as manager only until the end of the season, received the full support from the Luton board despite the defeat and, on 27 May, he signed a two-year contract to continue as permanent manager.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, June
On 2 June, it was announced that utility player Adam Newton and striker Lloyd Owusu had been released by the club after not being offered new contracts.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, June
Luton made their first signing of the close season on 6 June, picking up Rushden & Diamonds striker Aaron O'Connor on a free transfer.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, June
On 10 June, the club secured goalkeepers Mark Tyler and Kevin Pilkington to one-year contract extensions.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, June
Former Northampton Town defender Dean Beckwith signed for Luton on a free transfer on 14 June.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, June
Luton striker Jason Walker, who had missed a penalty in the shoot-out against AFC Wimbledon in the previous month, was sold to York City on 20 June for a fee of £60,000. Walker had indicated that he and his family had found it hard to settle in Bedfordshire, and would prefer a move to the North of England.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, June
Later that week, Luton tied defenders Shane Blackett and Jonathan O'Donnell to one-year contract extensions.


2010–11 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, June
On 30 June, the last day of the season, central defender Zdeněk Kroča signed for Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup
The 2010–11 Luxembourg Cup was the 86th season of Luxembourg's annual cup competition. It began on 29 August 2010 with Round 1 and ended on 29 May 2011 with the Final held at a neutral venue. The winners of the competition will qualify for the second qualifying round of the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League. FC Differdange 03 are the defending champions, having won their first ever cup title last season.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup, Round 1
Fifty teams from Division 2 (IV) and Division 3 (V) entered in this round. Thirty-six of them competed in matches, with the other fourteen teams were awarded a bye. The games were played on August 29. 2010.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup, Round 1
Bye : Alisontia Steinsel, Blo-Weiss Itzig, FC Brouch, FC Lorentzweiler, FC Kopstal 33, Jeunesse Gilsdorf, Jeunesse Useldange, Kischpelt Wilwerwiltz, Minière Lasauvage, Syra Mensdorf, Titus Lamadelaine, US Folschette, US Rambrouch, Yellow Boys Weiler-la-Tour


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup, Round 2
The eighteen winners of Round 1 and the fourteen teams that received a bye competed in this round. The games were played on September 5, 2010.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup, Round 3
The sixteen winners of Round 2 will compete in this round, as well as twenty-eight teams from Division 1 (III), which enter the competition in this round. The games will be played on 10 October 2010.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup, Round 4
The twenty-two winners of Round 3 will compete in this round, as well as fourteen teams from the Division of Honour (II), which enter the competition in this round. The games will be played on 7 November 2010.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup, Round 5
The eighteen winners of Round 4 will compete in this round, as well as the fourteen teams from the National Division, which enter the competition in this round. The games will be played on 3 April 2011.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup, Round 6
The sixteen winners of Round 5 compete in this round. The games will be played on 22 April 2011.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup, Quarterfinals
The eight winners from Round 6 will compete in the quarterfinals, to be held on 4 May 2011.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup, Semifinals
The four quarterfinal winners will compete in the semifinals, to be held on 24 and 25 May 2011.


2010–11 Luxembourg Cup (ice hockey)
The 2010–11 ice hockey tournament, called the Luxembourg Cup, was the 12th occurrence of the cup. Four teams participated in the tournament, which was won by Lokomotive Luxembourg.


2010–11 Luxembourg National Division
The 2010–11 Luxembourg National Division (also known as BGL Ligue due to sponsorship reasons) was the 97th season of top-tier football in Luxembourg. It began on 7 August 2010 and ended on 20 May 2011. Jeunesse Esch went into the season as the defending champions having won their 28th Luxembourgian championship during the 2009–10 season.


2010–11 Luxembourg National Division, Team changes from 2009–10
Rumelange and Mondercange were relegated to the Division of Honour after finishing 13th and 14th in the previous season. They were replaced by 2009–10 Division of Honour champions Wiltz 71 and runners-up Jeunesse Canach.


2010–11 Luxembourg National Division, Team changes from 2009–10
Käerjéng 97 as 12th-placed team had to compete in a single play-off match against 3rd-placed Division of Honour side Oberkorn. Käerjéng 97 won the match 3–1 and thus retained their National Division status.


2010–11 Luxembourg National Division, Relegation play-offs
The 12th-placed club in the National Division, FC Wiltz 71, competed in a relegation play-off match against the third-placed team from the Division of Honour, US Hostert, for one spot in the following season's competition. Hostert won the match after a penalty shootout, thus winning promotion to the league for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, Wiltz 71 were relegated after one year in the league.


2010–11 MC Alger season
In the 2010–11 season, MC Alger competed in the Ligue 1 for the 40th season, as well as the Champions League, and the Algerian Cup. It was their 8th consecutive season in the top flight of Algerian football.


2010–11 MC Alger season, Squad list
Players and squad numbers last updated on 18 November 2010.Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2010–11 MC El Eulma season
In the 2010–11 season, MC El Eulma is competing in the Ligue 1 for the 3rd season, as well as the Algerian Cup. It is their 3rd consecutive season in the top flight of Algerian football. They will be competing in Ligue 1, and the Algerian Cup.


2010–11 MC El Eulma season, Squad list
Players and squad numbers last updated on 18 November 2010.Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2010–11 MC Oran season
During the 2010–11 season, MC Oran competed in the 45th season of the Algerian Ligue 1, as well as the Algerian Cup.


2010–11 MC Oran season, Squad list
Players and squad numbers last updated on 18 November 2010.Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2010–11 MC Saïda season
The 2010–11 season will be MC Saïda's 10th season in the Algerian top flight, newly renamed to the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 due to the professionalization of it. MC Saïda will seek to win their first league title. They will be competing in Ligue 1, and the Algerian Cup.


2010–11 MC Saïda season, Squad 2010-11
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2010–11 MHL season
The 2010–11 MHL season was the second season of the Junior Hockey League. MHK Red Army won the league title. The league was divided into two conferences, and four divisions. A total of 16 teams, four from each conference, qualified for the playoffs.


2010–11 MJHL season
The 2010–11 season was the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's (MJHL) 94th season of operation.


2010–11 MJHL season
The Portage Terriers posted the best record in the regular season and won their seventh Turnbull Cup. The Terriers advanced as far as the 2011 Royal Bank Cup, but did not qualify for the national semi-finals.


2010–11 MKE Ankaragücü season
The 2010–11 MKE Ankaragücü season was the 29th consecutive season for the club from Ankara in the Süper Lig.


2010–11 MKE Ankaragücü season, Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2010–11 MOL Liga season
The 2010–11 MOL Liga season was the third edition of the international ice hockey championship for teams from Hungary and Romania. This season nine teams participated, including defending champions Vasas Budapest Stars, the second team of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga outfit SAPA AV19 Székesfehérvár and HSC Csíkszereda from Szekler Land.


2010–11 MOL Liga season, Regular season, Individual statistics, Scoring leaders
The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of the regular season.


2010–11 MOL Liga season, Regular season, Individual statistics, Leading goaltenders
The following goaltenders led the league in save percentage at the end of the regular season.


2010–11 MOL Liga season, Playoffs
After the regular season the seven best placed teams qualified automatically for the playoffs, while the eighth and ninth placed teams decided the one remaining playoff place in a best-of-three series. The teams are drawn together according to their final result in the regular season.


2010–11 MTK Budapest FC season
The 2010–11 season will be MTK Budapest FC's 102nd competitive season, 16th consecutive season in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I and 122nd year in existence as a football club.


2010–11 MTK Budapest FC season, Team kit and logo
The team kits for the 2010–11 season are produced by Jako and the shirt sponsor is Fotex. The home kit is purple and white colour and the away kit is white colour.


2010–11 MTK Budapest FC season, Transfers, Summer
In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2010–11 MTK Budapest FC season, Transfers, Summer
Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2010–11 MTK Budapest FC season, Squad, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2010–11 MTK Budapest FC season, Statistics, Top scorers
Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal.


2010–11 MTK Budapest FC season, Statistics, Disciplinary record
Includes all competitive matches. Players with 1 card or more included only.


2010–11 MTN40
The 2010–11 MTN40 was a domestic one-day cricket championship in South Africa. It was the 30th time the championship was contested. The first match was played on 29 October 2010 and the final was on 10 December 2010 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The trophy was won by the Knights after they defeated the Titans in the final.


2010–11 MTN40
The format of the group stage was changed this year, with the six franchises divided into two groups of three. Teams in the same group would play each other twice each (once at home and once away), and each of the teams in the other group only once. The top two teams in each group would progress to the semi-finals, which would be played over two (home and away) legs. New innovations were introduced to the playing conditions this year, including each team naming 13 players instead of 11. Teams could use 11 of these players during each innings. All of these changes were scrapped after a single season.


2010–11 Maccabi Haifa F.C. season
The 2010–11 season is Maccabi Haifa's 53rd season in Israeli Premier League, and their 29th consecutive season in the top division of Israeli football.


2010–11 Macclesfield Town F.C. season
This page shows the progress of Macclesfield Town F.C. in the 2010–11 football season. They competed in League Two, the fourth tier of English football, in which they finished 15th, and also competed in the FA Cup, League Cup and Football League Trophy where they were eliminated in the second round, first round and second round respectively.


2010–11 Macedonian First Football League
The 2010–11 Macedonian First League was the 19th season of the Macedonian First Football League, the highest football league of Macedonia. It began on 31 July 2010 and ended on 28 May 2011. Renova were the defending champions having won their first Macedonian championship last season.


2010–11 Macedonian First Football League
The competition was won by Shkëndija, who earned their first overall Macedonian title. FK Skopje and Pelister were relegated to the Second League. Vardar were spared from relegation because of fusion with Miravci.


2010–11 Macedonian First Football League, Promotion and relegation
1 Makedonija Gjorche Petrov and Sloga Jugomagnat were expelled from the First League due to boycotting two matches in the season. However, Napredok was directly promoted.2 Pobeda was expelled from the First League due to the eight-year suspension from FIFA for their involvement in match-fixing scandal.3 Vardar was initially relegated, but was stayed after was merged with Miravci, which won play-off match against Skopje. Later, the two sides were separated and Miravci were refused a First League licence.


2010–11 Macedonian First Football League, Results
The schedule consisted of three rounds. During the first two rounds, each team played each other once home and away for a total of 22 matches. The pairings of the third round were then set according to the standings after the first two rounds, giving every team a third game against each opponent for a total of 33 games per team.


2010–11 Macedonian Football Cup
The 2010–11 Macedonian Football Cup was the 19th season of Macedonia's football knockout competition. FK Teteks were the defending champions, having won their first title. The 2010–11 champions were FK Metalurg Skopje who won their first title.


2010–11 Macedonian Football Cup, First round
The draw was held on 7 July 2010 in Skopje. Matches were played on 18 August 2010.


2010–11 Macedonian Football Cup, Second round
Entering this round are the 16 winners from the First Round. The first legs took place on 15 September 2010 and the second legs took place on 28, 29 September, 9 and 10 October 2010.


2010–11 Macedonian Football Cup, Quarter-finals
The first legs of the quarterfinals took place on 20 October 2010, while the second legs took place on 10 November 2010.


2010–11 Macedonian Football Cup, Semi-finals
The first legs of the semi finals took place on 20 April 2011, while the second legs took place on 4 May 2011.


2010–11 Macedonian Second Football League
The 2010–11 Macedonian Second Football League was the nineteenth season since its establishment. It began on 8 August 2010 and ended on 29 May 2011.


2010–11 Macedonian Third Football League
The 2010–11 Macedonian Third Football League was the 19th season of the third-tier football league in the Republic of Macedonia, since its establishment. It began on August 2010 and ended on May 2011.


2010–11 Magyar Kupa
The 2010–11 Magyar Kupa (English: Hungarian Cup) was the 71st season of Hungary's annual knock-out cup football competition. It started with the first match of Round 1 on 7 August 2010 and ended with the Final held on 17 May 2011 at Stadium Puskás Ferenc, Budapest. The winners, Kecskemét, earned a place in the second qualifying round of the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League. Debrecen were the defending champions, having won their fourth cup competition last season.


2010–11 Magyar Kupa, Qualifying phase, Round 1
Matches were played on 7 and 8 August 2009 and involved the teams qualified through the local cup competitions during the previous season and the Nemzeti Bajnokság III teams.


2010–11 Magyar Kupa, Qualifying phase, Round 2
These matches were played between 17 and 18 August 2010 and involved the winners of Round 1 and the 2010–11 Nemzeti Bajnokság II teams.


2010–11 Magyar Kupa, Qualifying phase, Round 3
These matches were played between 21 September 2010 and 5 October 2010. The winners of Round 2 were joined by the majority of the 2010–11 Nemzeti Bajnokság I teams; sides involved in a European cup competition were given a bye to the next round.


2010–11 Magyar Kupa, Qualifying phase, Round 4
Entering this stage of the competition were the 28 winners from the previous round and the four clubs which competed in Europe this season. These matches took place between 6 October 2010 and 2 November 2010.


2010–11 Magyar Kupa, Final stage, Round of 16
The sixteen winners of the previous round were drawn into eight two-legged matches. The winners on aggregate advanced to the next round. The first leg matches were played on 9–10 November 2010 with the exception of Kaposvár-Paks, which was played on 16 February 2011; the return legs were played on 1–2 March 2011 with the exception of Honvéd–Eger, which was played on 23 November 2010.


2010–11 Magyar Kupa, Final stage, Quarter-finals
As in the previous round, ties were played over two legs. The winners advanced to the semi-finals. The first legs were played on 8–9 March 2011, with the return legs to be played on 15–16 March 2011.


2010–11 Magyar Kupa, Final stage, Semi-finals
Ties in the semi-finals were also played over two legs.


2010–11 Magyar Kupa, Top goalscorers
Source:  (Click on "Góllövő lista", from the third combo box on the left select "Magyar Kupa", from the fourth combo box select "8. forduló" and click on "Lekérés indítása")


2010–11 Major Indoor Soccer League season
The 2010–11 Major Indoor Soccer League season was the third season for the league, and second under the MISL banner. It was the 33rd season of professional Division 1 indoor soccer.


2010–11 Major Indoor Soccer League season
Three new teams, the Omaha Vipers, the Missouri Comets, and the Chicago Riot joined the league prior to the season's beginning.


2010–11 Major Indoor Soccer League season, Standings
Blue indicates bye into the MISL ChampionshipGreen indicates playoff berth clinched


2010–11 Major Indoor Soccer League season, Standings
Baltimore was the #1 seed due to head-to-head tiebreaker over Milwaukee (4-2)


2010–11 Major Indoor Soccer League season, Playoffs
The format for the playoffs is the same as the 2009–10 MISL format. The first place team in the season will get a bye into the finals, while the second and third place teams play a two-game, home-and-home, series, with a third golden goal game taking place at the second place team's home if needed.


2010–11 Malaysia Hockey League
The 2010-11 Malaysia Hockey League kicked off on 3 December 2010 and concluded on 19 March 2011.


2010–11 Malaysia Hockey League, Teams
Nine teams competed in the Premier Division, an increase of three teams from the previous year, while seven teams competed in Division One.


2010–11 Malian Première Division
The 2010–11 Malian Première Division is the 46th season of the highest level of professional football in Mali. The championship is once again contested by 14 teams between December 2010 and September 2011. The defending champions are Stade Malien (Bamako).


2010–11 Malian Première Division, Teams
AS Sigui and Stade Malien de Sikasso were relegated at the end of last season after finishing in the bottom two places of the table. The relegated teams were replaced by the champions of the two Malian second-level league groups, AS Bamako and CAS de Sévaré.


2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy
The 2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy was the 73rd season since its establishment. It will feature 21 teams from the Maltese Premier League, the First Division and the champions of the Gozo First Division. The competition began on 10 November 2010 and ended 22 May 2011 with the Final from Ta' Qali Stadium. The defending champions are Valletta, having won their 12th Maltese Cup last season and first since 2001. The winner will qualify to the second qualifying round of the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League.


2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy
Valletta were the defending champions, but lost in the Final to Floriana.


2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy, Calendar
Matches will begin on 10 November 2010 and conclude with the final on 22 May 2011. For the second straight year, four teams will receive a bye directly into the quarterfinals.


2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy, Preliminary round
Entering this round were two clubs from the Maltese First Division. This match took place on 10 November 2010.


2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy, First round
Entering this round was the winner from the Preliminary Round along with the six Maltese Premier League clubs which finished last season between 5th and 10th place in the league, the remaining eight clubs from the First Division and the reigning Gozo First Division champions. These matches took place from 12 to 14 November 2010.


2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy, Second round
Entering this round were the eight winners from the First Round. These matches took place on 19 January 2011.


2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy, Quarterfinals
Entering this round were the four winners from the Second Round along with the best four clubs from last year's Premier League competition.


2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy, Semifinals
Entering this round were the four winners from the Quarterfinals.


2010–11 Maltese FA Trophy, Final
Entering this round were the two winners from the Semifinals.


2010–11 Maltese First Division
The 2010–11 Maltese First Division (also known as 2010–11 BOV 1st Division due to sponsorship reasons) began on 23 October 2010 and will conclude on 1 May 2011.


2010–11 Maltese First Division
Due to a in-season change regarding the league system, the third-placed team of this season will be promoted to the Maltese Premier League, along with the regular two promotees.


2010–11 Maltese First Division, Teams
Marsaxlokk as 2009–10 champions and Vittoriosa Stars as runners–up were promoted to the 2010–11 Premier League. They were replaced by Dingli and Msida, who were relegated at the end of the 2009–10 Maltese Premier League after finishing in the bottom two places of the table.


2010–11 Maltese First Division, Teams
On the other end of the table, ninth-placed St. Patrick and last-placed San Gwann were relegated at the end of the 2009–10 season. They were replaced by 2009–10 Second Division champions Lija and runners-up St. Andrews.


2010–11 Maltese First Division, Teams
Below is a list of all ten teams participating in the 2010–11 season:


2010–11 Maltese First Division, Teams
On 13 March 2011, Msida Saint-Joseph F.C. were mathematically relegated to the 2nd Division following a 4–0 drubbing at the hands of Mosta F.C..


2010–11 Maltese First Division knock-out
The Maltese First Division knock-out 2010-11 is a group and knock-out competition for teams from the Maltese First Division. The competition started on 18 September 2010 and is scheduled to end with the final on 13 May 2011.


2010–11 Maltese Premier League
The 2010–11 Maltese Premier League is the 96th season of the Maltese Premier League, the top-tier football league in Malta. It began in August 2010 and  ended in May 2011. Birkirkara are the defending champions, having won their third title last season.


2010–11 Maltese Premier League
The Premier League consists of two rounds. In the First Round, every team plays each opponent twice, once "home" and once "away" (in actuality, the designation of home and away is purely arbitrary as most of the clubs do not have their own grounds), for a total of 18 games. The league then splits into two pools. Earned points are subsequently halved. Teams that finish in positions 1–6 compete in the "Championship Pool" and teams that finish in positions 7–10 play in the "Relegation Pool".


2010–11 Maltese Premier League
On 13 January 2011, the Malta Football Association decided to expand the league to 12 teams as from the 2011–12 season. Therefore changes had to be made to accommodate the new number of teams. Thus only one team would be relegated at the end of this season.


2010–11 Maltese Premier League, Teams
Dingli Swallows and Msida St. Joseph were relegated to the First Division after finishing in the last two places of the relegation pool.


2010–11 Maltese Premier League, Teams
Promoted from the First Division were Marsaxlokk as champions and Vittoriosa Stars as runners-up. Both of these clubs were supposed to take part in last season's competition, but each of them were found guilty in a corruption scandal and were immediately relegated to the First Division.


2010–11 Maltese Premier League, Teams, Stadia and training grounds
Only a few stadia have the infrastructure needed to host Premier League matches. These are Ta' Qali National Stadium and Centenary Stadium at Ta' Qali, Attard, Victor Tedesco Stadium at Ħamrun and Hibernians Ground at Paola. Additional to that, each team has been assigned to a dedicated training ground. On a few occasions, Hibernians and Hamrun Spartans play at their home ground, but otherwise all games are played on neutral ground, rendering "home" and "away" games purely symbolic.


2010–11 Maltese Second Division
The 2010–11 Maltese Second Division started on September 2010 and will end in May 2011. St. Patrick and San Gwann were relegated from the 2009–10 Maltese First Division. Zejtun Corinthians, Mgarr United and Naxxar Lions were promoted from 2009–10 Maltese Third Division.


2010–11 Maltese Second Division, Final league table
A Decider was needed between  St. Patrick and Mellieha because they both ended with 36 points. Therefore, a Promotion decider for the Maltese First Division. The game was won by St. Patrick in the final minutes of the game. Glenn Barry Scored the only Goal.


2010–11 Maltese Second and Third Division Knock-Out
The 2010–11 Second and Third Division Knock-Out (known as quick Keno Second and Third Division Knock-Out for sponsorship reasons) was a knockout tournament for Maltese football clubs playing in the Second and Third Division. Played between 1 September 2010 and 8 May 2011, Żejtun Corinthians successfully defended last season's title.


2010–11 Maltese Third Division
The Maltese Third Division 2010–11 (known as BOV 3rd Division 2010-11 due to sponsorship reasons) was the 11th season of the Maltese Third Division. The season began on 26 September 2010 and concluded on 15 May 2011 with the promotion play-offs final. Gozo, Gharghur and Santa Venera were relegated from the Maltese Second Division 2009-10.


2010–11 Maltese Third Division, League Changes
The Maltese Third Division is divided into two sections; Section A consisting of 11 teams and Section B with 10 teams. The winners of each section will win promotion and face each other in a championship play-off to decide the Maltese Third Division champions.


2010–11 Maltese Third Division, League Changes
For the 2010-11 season, teams placing 2nd and 3rd in both sections will be promoted to the Maltese Second Division due to the change in the Maltese league format. A promotion decider will be played between the teams ending 4th in Sections A and B respectively.


2010–11 Maltese Third Division, Teams
A total of twenty one teams divided into two sections will contest the league, including seventeen sides from the 2009–10 season, three relegated teams from the 2009–10 the Maltese Second Division and Marsaskala F.C., a new founded club.


2010–11 Maltese Third Division, Teams
2009–10 Maltese Third Division champions Zejtun Corinthians F.C. and Section A winners Mgarr United F.C. secured direct promotion to the Second Division. Naxxar Lions had to beat Gudja Utd on penalties in the promotion play-off final to join them in the Second Division. Mgarr Utd and Naxxar made their immediate return to the Second Division after being relegated at the end of the 2008–09 season.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Manchester City Football Club's 109th season of football, its ninth consecutive season in the Premier League, and its 14th season in the Premier League since it was first created with Manchester City as one of its original 22 founding member clubs. The team finished fifth in the previous season, thereby qualifying for an opportunity to compete in this season's Europa League. The club was managed by Roberto Mancini who had been appointed as manager midway through the previous season.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Season review
In the summer transfer window, the club, one of the richest in the world since its 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, spent £126 million on players, including Jérôme Boateng from Hamburger SV, Yaya Touré from Barcelona, David Silva from Valencia, Aleksandar Kolarov from Lazio, Mario Balotelli from Inter Milan and James Milner from Aston Villa. Popular City midfielder Stephen Ireland was transferred to Aston Villa as part of a player exchange agreement in the Milner deal.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Season review
The team began this season's campaign well, collecting four out of a possible six points against "Top 7" opponents Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, which was three points more than City managed in the comparable fixtures last season. City then stuttered for a couple of games against Sunderland (away) and Blackburn Rovers (at home), bagging only a single home point out of the six despite completely dominating both games, with (according to manager Roberto Mancini) at least 25 missed chances in the Blackburn game alone. City got itself back on a winning track again with a 0–2 away win against Wigan Athletic, which was the first time the team had ever won at the DW Stadium, breaking what some supporters had labelled a jinx for this fixture.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Season review
After the previous season's run to the semi-final of the League Cup, the team's performance in that competition this season was very disappointing, with the Blues falling at the first hurdle, losing 2–1 to West Bromwich Albion in the third round tie played at The Hawthorns.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Season review
The team began its Europa League campaign in much better style, clocking up three back-to-back wins in its first three games. In the first leg 1–0 away victory over Timișoara in the play-off round, Mario Balotelli scored the single winning goal on his debut, but also incurred a serious knee injury that required surgery, putting him out of action for the next three months.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Season review
Balotelli was not the only one of City's new crop of high-profile summer signings to fall victim to an early serious injury, with Jérôme Boateng missing out on the first six weeks of the new season due to a knee injury he picked up playing for Germany in an international friendly match against Denmark back in mid-August,while Aleksandar Kolarov seriously damaged his ankle ligaments in the opening match of the season against Tottenham Hotspur.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Season review
The loss of Boateng and Kolarov – taken together with recent injuries to Micah Richards (hamstring), Wayne Bridge (thigh injury coming right on the back of a prolonged absence due to a cracked foot bone) and Joleon Lescott (groin) – meant that Roberto Mancini found himself without five of his eight main back four defenders going into City's home match against Chelsea, causing him to claim that he had a defensive injury crisis for that game, which nevertheless City still managed to win convincingly due to a stellar defensive performance from the back four (Dedryck Boyata, Kolo Touré, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta) that Mancini was able to field.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Season review
Manchester City ended their 35-year trophy drought by beating Stoke 1–0 in the FA Cup Final at Wembley, courtesy of a Yaya Touré goal in the 74th minute.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Kit, Kit information
Umbro made a new set of kits for Manchester City whilst they were in their second year of contract with the club.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Kit, Kit information
On 2 February 2011, there was a minor "kit faux pas" when the Manchester City team wore its regular home team kit for its away fixture against Birmingham City at St Andrew's, a fixture that usually required the visiting Manchester City team to use one of its alternative strips (in this case, its third team kit since the midnight blue away kit also represented a colour clash) as the primary home team colours of both sides combined a blue shirt with white shorts.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Kit, Kit information
No explanation had ever come as to why this mix-up occurred (because as per which kits were to be worn in which fixtures was determined before the season even began), or why the referee, Kevin Friend, allowed two teams so similarly clad onto the pitch rather than insist that one of them first change its kit, although Birmingham's 2010–11 home shirt features large elements of white. Since then, there have been several instances of City wearing sky blue against teams in royal blue.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitions, Premier League, Points breakdown
Points against 2009/10 Top Four: 9 Points against promoted teams: 18


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitions, Premier League, Biggest & smallest
Biggest home win: 5–0 vs. Sunderland, 3 April 2011 Biggest home defeat: 0–3 vs. Arsenal, 24 October 2010 Biggest away win: 1–4 vs. Fulham, November 2010 Biggest away defeat: 3–0 vs. Liverpool, 11 April 2011


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitions, Premier League, Biggest & smallest
Biggest home attendance: 47,393 vs. Arsenal, 24 October 2010 Smallest home attendance: 43,077 vs. Fulham, 27 February 2011 Biggest away attendance: 75,322 vs. Manchester United, 12 February 2011 Smallest away attendance: 15,525 vs. Wigan Athletic, 19 September 2010


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Squad information, Playing statistics
Appearances (Apps.) numbers are for appearances in competitive games only including sub appearancesRed card numbers denote: Numbers in parentheses represent red cards overturned for wrongful dismissal.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Squad information, Goalscorers
Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted alphabetically by surname when total goals are equal.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Awards, Premier League Manager of the Month award
Awarded monthly to the manager that was chosen by a panel assembled by the Premier League's sponsor


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Awards, Premier League Golden Boot award
Awarded to the player who scored the most goals in the 2010–11 Premier League season


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Awards, Barclays Golden Glove award
Awarded to the goalkeeper who kept the most clean sheets over the 2010–11 Premier League season


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Awards, PFA Team of the Year
The combined best 11 from all teams in the Premier League chosen by the PFA


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Awards, Etihad Player of the Month awards
Awarded to the player that receives the most votes in a poll conducted each month on the MCFC OWS


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Awards, Tuttosport Golden Boy award
Since 2003 awarded annually by the Italian daily sports newspaper to the young player (on an initial short list of 40 'under 21' players) that receives the most votes from a panel consisting of 30 sports journalists selected from across the whole of Europe


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Awards, Best Groundsmen of the Year award
Awarded annually at a meeting of the Institute of Groundsmanship organisation as a result of voting by professional football grounds management teams from the whole of the U.K.


2010–11 Manchester City F.C. season, Transfers and loans, Loans out
This  provides the latest progress update on most of the players listed above that are currently still out on loan at other clubs.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Manchester United's 19th season in the Premier League and their 36th consecutive season in the top-flight of English football. It was the first season with new shirt sponsors Aon after four seasons with AIG.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
United began the season by beating Chelsea 3–1 at Wembley on 8 August 2010 to claim the Community Shield.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
A successful defence of the League Cup would have seen them become only the second team to win the competition for a third successive season, after Liverpool in 1983 (who then went on to win a fourth in 1984). However, their stranglehold on the tournament was broken by West Ham United, who sent an understrength Reds side crashing to a 4–0 defeat at Upton Park in the Fifth Round on 30 November 2010.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
On 19 December 2010, Sir Alex Ferguson became the longest-serving manager in Manchester United's history, overtaking Sir Matt Busby's record of 24 years, 1 month and 13 days in charge of the club.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
On 1 February 2011, United equalled the club record league unbeaten run of 29 matches, after a 3–1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford. They failed to extend the run however, succumbing to a 2–1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 5 February 2011. This was their first league defeat since 3 April 2010, a 2–1 home defeat by Chelsea.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
United came close to becoming the first top-flight side in 119 years to win every single home league match during the season, but a draw at home to West Bromwich Albion early in the campaign cost them that status. Their exceptional form at Old Trafford was key to United's eventual title victory, as their away form was surprisingly mediocre, with just five league wins away from home all season.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
United also reached the semi-final stage of the 2010–11 FA Cup but lost 1–0 at Wembley to Manchester City on 16 April 2011 – and their opponents went on to win the trophy. Defeat in this game ended United's chances of becoming the first club to win the league and cup double four times.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
On 14 May 2011, after a 1–1 draw to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, United broke the English league title record by winning their 19th title, surpassing Liverpool's record of 18 titles, which they equalled in the 2008–09 season. This is the first time United have held the outright record in their history.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
They also competed in the Champions League for the 15th season in a row, and contested the final with Barcelona on 28 May 2011, but they lost 3–1.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
Manchester United announced their first fixture of the 2010 pre-season schedule on 8 April 2010. As part of the signing of Javier Hernández, United agreed to play a friendly against Guadalajara to open their new 45,000-capacity stadium, Estadio Chivas, on 30 July.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
On 6 May 2010, Manchester United announced that the team would be touring North America that summer for the first time since 2004. A 22-man squad, including new signing Chris Smalling, but minus those who took part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, flew out to the United States on 12 July, before taking part in a training camp in Chicago, the headquarters of new shirt sponsors Aon.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
The first tour match was played on 16 July over the border at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, where United beat a travelling Celtic side 3–1 with goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley. The next fixture, against Philadelphia Union was played on 21 July at Lincoln Financial Field, one of the venues on both their 2003 and 2004 tours. United won the match 1–0 with a 76th-minute goal from Gabriel Obertan. Four days later, the team travelled west to Kansas City, Missouri, to play the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead Stadium.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
The Wizards opened the scoring in the 11th minute, before Dimitar Berbatov equalised with a 41st-minute penalty; however, two minutes later the Wizards restored their lead with a controversial goal from Kei Kamara. The Sierra Leonean forward headed the ball against the crossbar and it bounced down onto the goal-line; the referee believed the whole of the ball had crossed the line and gave the goal.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
The tour of the United States culminated with the 2010 MLS All-Star Game on 28 July at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. United won the match 5–2, with goals from Federico Macheda (2), Darron Gibson, Tom Cleverley and a debut goal from Javier Hernández. Macheda's first goal came after only 21 seconds, when he capitalised on an under-hit back-pass; he got his second in the 13th minute, heading in Nani's corner kick.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
Brian Ching pulled a goal back for the MLS All-Stars in the 64th minute, before Darron Gibson restored United's two-goal lead with a free-kick from 20 yards in the 70th minute. Three minutes later, Tom Cleverley made it 4–1 with a well-taken goal, controlling Darren Fletcher's flick into the box before flicking it over Wilman Conde's head and side-footing past goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Hernández's goal came in the 84th minute, when he collected a long through-ball from Darren Fletcher before lobbing Rimando to make the score 5–1. Dwayne De Rosario then scored a late consolation goal in the final minute.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
The squad then headed south to play United's first ever match in Mexico against Chivas two days later. Javier Hernández began the game in a Chivas shirt and opened the scoring for his old club after eight minutes. Chris Smalling's first Manchester United goal levelled the scores two minutes later, but Chivas regained the lead just before half-time through Adolfo Bautista. At the break, Hernández switched sides and came on in place of Dimitar Berbatov. Héctor Reynoso increased the hosts' lead to 3–1 just before the hour-mark, when Hernández finally left the action. Nani pulled a goal back 10 minutes from the end, but the score remained at 3–2 until the end. The result meant that United finished their tour of North America with three wins and two defeats.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
Following the team's return to Europe, Manchester United rounded off their pre-season schedule by taking on a League of Ireland XI in the first match to be played at the new Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 4 August. World Cup stars Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Park Ji-sung and Nemanja Vidić all made their returns to the United side, as did Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia, who were recovering from injury. Park opened the scoring in the 13th minute in bizarre fashion; as he went to block a defender's clearance, the ball ricocheted off him and into the net.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
Michael Owen doubled United's lead in the 25th minute with a chipped shot over the goalkeeper, before half-time substitute Hernández made it 3–0 two minutes after the break. Three goals in the space of nine minutes from Valencia (60th minute), a second from Park (63rd), and Jonny Evans (69th) increased the lead to 6–0, but Dave Mulcahy scored a consolation goal for the League of Ireland XI in the 78th minute. Nevertheless, there was still time for Nani to get a seventh goal, converting a penalty after Hernández had been fouled in the penalty area.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
On 8 April, it was announced that a testimonial had been granted to Gary Neville, who had announced his retirement on 2 February. The match was held to honour and celebrate Neville's 19 years of service to United, and was played at Old Trafford on 24 May, the opponents being Juventus of the Italian Serie A. Neville has confirmed that he will use the proceeds from the testimonial to support sustainable projects within the community, while he also has plans for supporter initiatives at home and abroad.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
The match against Juventus featured some of Fergie's Fledglings, the young players from the Class of '92, including the former United players, Nicky Butt, Gary's brother Phil, David Beckham, and current United players.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Community Shield
As Chelsea won the League and Cup Double in 2009–10, Manchester United kicked their season off with an appearance in the 2010 FA Community Shield at Wembley on 8 August as Premier League runners-up. It was the third time in four years that United had played Chelsea in the Community Shield. United won the match 3–1 with goals from Antonio Valencia, Javier Hernández and Dimitar Berbatov. Valencia opened the scoring in the 41st minute, side-footing home a low, first-time cross from Wayne Rooney.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Community Shield
Rooney and Michael Owen were substituted for Hernández and Berbatov at half-time, and Hernández doubled United's lead in the 76th minute; John O'Shea set Valencia away down the right flank, and the Ecuadorian played a low cross back across goal; Hernández got to the ball with his right foot, but it bounced up and hit him in the face before going in. Salomon Kalou got a goal back for Chelsea with seven minutes left in normal time, but Berbatov sealed the win in the 92nd minute with a lobbed shot over Chelsea goalkeeper Henrique Hilário after some neat inter-play from fellow substitutes Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Nani on the left wing.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The fixtures for the 2010–11 Premier League were announced on 17 June, and revealed that United would begin their league campaign by welcoming Newcastle United back to the Premier League at Old Trafford on 16 August 2010, just as they did at the start of the 2008–09 season.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
With United's opening match being played on the Monday, their rivals had the chance to get an early head-start in the title race, with Chelsea going to the top with a 6–0 win over West Bromwich Albion on the Saturday. It took United just over half an hour to open the scoring against Newcastle; when Jonás Gutiérrez dwelled on the ball, he allowed Antonio Valencia to steal it off his toes. Paul Scholes then took possession and played a through-ball to Dimitar Berbatov, who shot across Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper into the far corner of the goal.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
For the second goal, Nani played the ball into the penalty area for Patrice Evra, who put a low cross into the six-yard box. The ball ricocheted off Wayne Rooney to Darren Fletcher, who scored with a shot on the turn. After coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute, Ryan Giggs maintained his record of scoring in every season of the Premier League with a goal five minutes from full-time; Paul Scholes floated the ball to Giggs with a diagonal pass, and the Welsh midfielder volleyed it into the far side of the goal. The 3–0 win put United into fourth place in the league table at the end of the first round of league matches.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United's next match came the following Sunday, away to Fulham. Scholes opened the scoring in the 11th minute, firing a 25-yard strike into the bottom corner of the net for his 150th Manchester United goal, after being set up by Berbatov. Simon Davies equalised for Fulham ten minutes into the second half, but Brede Hangeland deflected a corner into his own net to put United ahead again with five minutes left to play. A minute later, Damien Duff was deemed to have handled the ball in the Fulham penalty area, but Nani's kick was saved by goalkeeper David Stockdale. Then, in the 89th minute, Hangeland redeemed himself with a header from a corner to deny United the win.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United played host to West Ham United in the evening kick-off on Saturday, 28 August. Wayne Rooney got the first goal from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute – his first goal in 13 club matches – after Ryan Giggs had been fouled in the penalty area by former Manchester United defender Jonathan Spector. Nani scored the second goal five minutes after half-time, picking up a pass from Rooney before cutting into the box and firing a left-footed shot past Robert Green in the West Ham goal. Nani then set up Berbatov to make it 3–0, chipping the ball across the penalty area for the Bulgarian forward to score with a volleyed scissor-kick.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
After a break for internationals, United travelled to Goodison Park on 11 September to take on Everton: the first of a league double-header against Liverpudlian opposition. Everton had the upper hand for the first half-hour, while United's best chances were denied by saves from Tim Howard.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Following a 39th-minute corner off one of these saves, Evra failed to deal with a long ball out of the Everton defence, allowing Mikel Arteta to bear down on Edwin van der Sar's goal; the Dutch goalkeeper saved Arteta's shot, but the rebound fell to Leon Osman, who squared the ball for Steven Pienaar to side-foot under Van der Sar and into the net. However, Everton's lead was short-lived as Giggs found Nani on the right wing, and the Portuguese bent over an early cross for Fletcher to volley home.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United took the lead for the first time two minutes after half-time: a Nani corner was half-cleared by Osman before the ball came back to Nani, who crossed for the unmarked Nemanja Vidić to head home. Berbatov made it 3–1 in the 65th minute with a shot off the outside of his boot from just outside the penalty area after he beat Distin to a long ball from Scholes. The score remained at 3–1 until the 90th minute, when two Everton attacks down the left wing produced goals for Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta, salvaging a draw from the jaws of defeat.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United's next League game was the home game against fierce rivals, Liverpool. United made most of the running in the first half with Nani missing their best chance after a shot from Wayne Rooney was diverted into his path midway through the first half. However, with around five minutes to go before the break, a corner was met by the stooping head of Berbatov and sailed past Pepe Reina and into the back of the net.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Just after the hour mark, Berbatov made it 2–0 after controlling a cross from Nani and performing an overhead Bicycle kick which came off the under-side of the crossbar and into the goal. However, United again threw a two-goal lead away against Merseyside opposition after two goals from Steven Gerrard in the space of 6 minutes. The first came from the penalty spot after Fernando Torres was fouled by Jonny Evans, and the second from a direct free kick after Torres was again fouled, this time by John O'Shea.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Nevertheless, it was Berbatov who finished the scoring seven minutes from time with a header from an O'Shea cross, to make it 3–2. Berbatov became the first United player to score a hat-trick against Liverpool since Stan Pearson in 1946 and the first at Old Trafford since Joe Spence in 1928, Pearson's hat trick having been scored at Maine Road, where United played for a few seasons following the Second World War whilst Old Trafford had bomb-damage repaired.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
After a midweek trip to Scunthorpe United, United's next trip was to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers. United continued to leak goals from set plays as Zat Knight rose highest to nod home a corner to put the home side 1–0 up after only 6 minutes. United responded quickly and were level on 23 minutes when Nani picked up the ball deep in his own half and ran the length of the pitch to slot home past Jussi Jääskeläinen.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Bolton regained the lead midway through the second half when City old boy Martin Petrov smashed a right footed shot past Edwin van der Sar. Shortly after, Bolton spurned a golden chance to go 3–1 up. United were only behind for 7 minutes as Michael Owen glanced a header to equalise from a Nani free kick.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Following a midweek victory in Valencia, United were again on the road to the Stadium of Light to face former Red Steve Bruce. United were forced to switch changing rooms 15 minutes before kick off as a burst sewage pipe engulfed the United dressing room. With the game starting late Sunderland were quick out the blocks and forced United back as United struggled to carve out any chances. The game finished 0–0 and saw United create precious few chances meaning United were still without an away win this season.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
After the international break, United welcomed promoted West Bromwich Albion to Old Trafford. United took an early lead when Javier Hernández put United 1–0 up with his first Premier League goal. 20 minutes later United were 2–0 up when Nani scored his third League goal of the season. West Brom came out for the second half and had soon reduced the difference when a low driven free kick forced Patrice Evra to divert the ball in his own net. West Brom were level on 55 minutes when a Chris Brunt cross was dropped by Edwin van der Sar, which left Somen Tchoyi with a simple tap in to leave the score 2–2.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
With the news ringing in their ears that Wayne Rooney had signed a new five-year contract, United headed off to the Potteries to face Stoke City. With Rooney still injured, Ferguson started with Javier Hernández alongside Dimitar Berbatov. It was the Mexican who opened the scoring when a Nani cross was flicked on by Nemanja Vidić and onto the back of Hernández's head past Thomas Sørensen.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The score stayed 1–0 until the 81st minute when Tuncay picked the ball up wide left, cut inside and fired a shot into the corner for Stoke's first ever goal against Manchester United in the Premier League. With three minutes left, however, a Patrice Evra shot was deflected into the path of Javier Hernández who stabbed his second goal home from short range for his third goal in two games. United held out for their first away victory in the league all season.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United's next League fixture was a home match against Tottenham Hotspur. The match saw both Park Ji-sung and Rafael van der Vaart hit the frame of the goal inside the first 11 minutes, but it took half an hour for the first goal to come when Vidić headed in a Nani free-kick from close range. Both teams had further chances to score before Nani did so 5 minutes from time in very unusual and controversial circumstances. Chasing a through-ball, Nani was caught by a Spurs defender and went down looking for a penalty.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
However, referee Mark Clattenburg declined to give one. In the course of going down, Nani clearly handled the ball and the Spurs goalkeeper, Heurelho Gomes assumed that Clattenburg would give a free kick to his team. For some reason, Clattenburg allowed play to continue without the free kick, but Gomes put the ball down anyway. Nani, who had got back to his feet, simply kicked the ball into the net and Clattenburg awarded the goal. His assistant called him over for a discussion as he had seen the handball, but Clattenburg re-iterated the decision to give the goal and the match ultimately ended 2–0. Technically, the goal was correct as the referee never awarded Spurs a free-kick for the Nani handball.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Returning to the League after midweek victory in Europe, United faced Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford. This was the second meeting between the two teams in 12 days after United overcame Wolves 3–2 in the League Cup. United struggled to gain a grip on the game in the first half but were the first to break the deadlock right on the stroke of time, Darren Fletcher bisecting the Wolves defence with a pass to Park Ji-sung, who converted the chance.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Wolves made changes in the second half, bringing on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Steven Fletcher, and it was the former United youth team player Ebanks-Blake who equalised, slotting the ball through the legs of Edwin van der Sar from close range. United pressed for a winner in the final minutes of the game, introducing Federico Macheda and Paul Scholes into the game, and it paid dividends in the 93rd minute as Fletcher played a diagonal ball to Park, who drifted infield and squeezed the ball past Marcus Hahnemann for his second of the game, giving United the 2–1 victory. The game also marked the comeback of Owen Hargreaves, making his first start in nearly two years. The comeback was truncated, however, as he limped off the field after 5 minutes due to a hamstring injury.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United played against crosstown rivals Manchester City at Eastlands on 10 November 2010, the first Manchester derby of the season. The game was deadlocked at 0–0 at half-time, after Edwin van der Sar had saved Carlos Tevez's free-kick and Dimitar Berbatov had tested Joe Hart with an overhead kick. Near the end of the game, Adam Johnson and Javier Hernández were respectively brought on for James Milner and Berbatov, but neither team found a winner and the game ended 0–0.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United played out a 2–2 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park three days later. The game was 0–0 at half-time, and was still goalless until Wes Brown fouled Ashley Young within the penalty area. Young himself converted the penalty, and Marc Albrighton doubled the home side's lead, slotting home Stewart Downing's cross. Alex Ferguson then took off Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernández and respectively replaced them with Gabriel Obertan and Federico Macheda in an attempt to equalise. Macheda then drilled in an 18-yard shot to give United some hope, and team captain Nemanja Vidić equalised, when he met a Nani cross at the far post and nodded the ball home. United held on for the draw.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United recorded a 2–0 victory over Wigan Athletic on 20 November 2010. Patrice Evra opened the scoring just before half time when he headed in Park Ji-sung's cross. Within two minutes in the second half, Wigan were down to ten and then nine men when captain Antolín Alcaraz was sent off for pick up a second yellow card. Minutes later, stand-in captain Hugo Rodallega was also shown red, a straight red card for challenging Rafael. Rafael assisted in Javier Hernández's winning goal, when the Brazilian sent in a cross for the Mexican to head home. This game saw the return of Wayne Rooney to the team after a five-week injury, which he picked up just before signing his new five-year contract with the Red Devils. Rooney came on a substitute in the 56th minute, replacing Federico Macheda.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Returning to league action after a midweek victory over Rangers, United recorded a 7–1 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers. United went 1–0 up after just two minutes, when Nani's free kick was met with a very faint headed flick from Wayne Rooney (making his first Old Trafford start since signing his new five-year contract). Dimitar Berbatov then struck out his leg to finish from six yards, the goal being Berbatov's first goal in ten matches.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Nani then fed Park Ji-sung, who played a one-two with Rooney before running on and poking past Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson for United's second goal of the game. United went 3–0 up when Berbatov intercepted a Pascal Chimbonda back-pass to Robinson, allowing him to score his second goal of the game. Two minutes into the second half, Berbatov got his third, when Nani sped down the right then cut inside and laid the ball back to Berbatov, who began the move he started inside his own half with an effort high into Robinson's net.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
A minute later, Nani added to Blackburn's misery when he grabbed his first goal of the game, when he cut inside Chimbonda to place his effort past Robinson. Berbatov got his fourth goal of the game, and United's sixth, when Rafael raced into the penalty area before playing in Park, whose effort was blocked by Blackburn captain Christopher Samba only for Berbatov to smash home.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Berbatov got his fifth goal of the game (becoming only the fourth player to score five goals in a Premier League game, after Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe), when he slid in from an angle after his attempt to square the ball to Rooney was thwarted. Samba grabbed a consolation eight minutes from time, when he nodded in a cross from substitute Josh Morris. The win put United to the top of the 2010–11 Premier League table for the first time.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United's next scheduled League game was away to Blackpool on 4 December, but due to a frozen pitch following heavy snowfall around the United Kingdom, the game was cancelled 24 hours before kick-off and was re-arranged to the 25 January. As such, United did not play in the league for two weeks, during which time they were overtaken at the top of the table by Arsenal and local rivals Manchester City, albeit with games in hand over their near title rivals.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The next League game United actually played was the home tie with Arsenal, traditional title rivals and who started the match top of the League. United started strongly, though rarely tested young Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny until a looping header from Park Ji-sung hit the far post and went in five minutes before half time. Arsenal came out quicker in the second half and Edwin van der Sar was forced into a save from Samir Nasri before Nemanja Vidić blocked the rebound shot from Marouane Chamakh.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
However United got into their stride and Anderson brought a save from Szczęsny before Nani fired over from a good position. A penalty was awarded for a handball by Gaël Clichy with 15 minutes to go, only for Wayne Rooney to hit it well over the crossbar. Rooney attempted to make amends a few minutes later with an attempted lob over Szczęsny, but it was well saved and a last minute miss from Theo Walcott assured three points and a return to top spot for United with still a game in hand over the teams below them.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United's next scheduled League game was away to rivals Chelsea on 19 December, but – following heavy snowfall around the UK, including up to 10 inches in London – the match was cancelled 24 hours before kick-off after consultation with the Police and the local authority. It was later re-arranged to 1 March. Coupled with the cancellation of Arsenal's game with Stoke and Manchester City's defeat at home to Everton, this meant that United topped the League table on Christmas Day for the first time in four seasons.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The next league game that United actually played was a home fixture against Sunderland. Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring after just five minutes, when he headed home Wayne Rooney's cross. After that, Berbatov hit the post and Anderson's shot crashed off the crossbar as United created numerous chances. after the break Anton Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand's younger brother, deflected a Berbatov kick into his own net and wrap up the 2–0 win for United.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United finished 2010 with a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City at St Andrews. The draw moved United back to the top of the league, as United's rivals Manchester City had beaten Birmingham's rivals Aston Villa to put the Sky Blues to the top of the table. After a goalless first half, United took the lead in the 58th minute, when Dimitar Berbatov released Darron Gibson with a flick and then took the return pass to drive a shot inside the post. An 18-yard Berbatov strike also hit the post before the late drama. Birmingham got a last-gasp, but controversial, equaliser in the 89th minute, when a Blues cross appeared to hit Nikola Žigić's arm and Lee Bowyer slid the ball home despite appearing to be offside. After the four minutes of stoppage time were up, United moved back to first place.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Following the game against Birmingham City, United started 2011 with another visit to the Midlands, this time to The Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with just three minutes played when he headed home his first goal in open play since March 2010. James Morrison levelled for the Baggies with a strike from 20 yards. Peter Odemwingie then missed from the spot after defender Rio Ferdinand had brought down Jerome Thomas. Javier Hernández and Darron Gibson respectively came on for Dimitar Berbatov and Gabriel Obertan, and Hernández won the game for United in the 73rd minute, heading home Rooney's corner.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United extended their lead at the top of the League after a vital, hard-fought victory over Stoke at Old Trafford. Dimitar Berbatov went close before United went ahead when Javier Hernández back-healed the ball into the net from Nani's cross; Hernández's goal meant he had now scored three times against Stoke. Dean Whitehead nodded the Potters level, their first League goal at Old Trafford for more than 30 years, but Hernández and Nani combined once again as Hernández teed up Nani to blast home a left-footed winner. The win put United two points clear of neighbours Manchester City, who they had two games in hand over, and four ahead of Arsenal, who they had one game in hand over.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United extended their unbeaten record in the league to 26 games and returned to the top of the table with an important draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. United were forced to play the last 16 minutes without young Brazilian defender Rafael, who received a second yellow card for a foul on Benoît Assou-Ekotto, but Spurs were unable to muster much in the way of attacking threat. United moved back ahead of arch-rivals Manchester City on goal difference but crucially had two games in hand over their local rivals.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United's next game was a home game against Birmingham City, which United won 5–0. Dimitar Berbatov nodded in on the line after 95 seconds to open the scoring before firing home after Roger Johnson had given the ball away. With Ryan Giggs lifting the unbeaten league leaders to heights they had rarely hit this season, the veteran finished off a move just before the break. Berbatov then converted a Giggs cross for his third before Nani slotted in a fifth to finish the scoring.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The following game was the rescheduled fixture from December as United took on Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, staging a comeback to win 3–2. Blackpool dominated the first half, scoring twice from Charlie Adam-delivered corners with headers from former United reserve captain Craig Cathcart and D. J. Campbell. However, at half time United introduced Ryan Giggs in favour of Darron Gibson and followed that with Javier Hernández replacing Wayne Rooney. United pulled one back after Dimitar Berbatov converted a low Darren Fletcher cross, and mere minutes later, Giggs released Hernández, who converted past Richard Kingson to draw things level. After an extended break following an injury to Rafael (leading to ten minutes of additional time) Berbatov scored his second goal of the game, thrashing home with his left foot to complete the comeback.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
In the next game, United equalled the club record league unbeaten run of 29 games with a 3–1 home win over Aston Villa. Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to name Wayne Rooney in the starting line-up ahead of Javier Hernández was justified after just 54 seconds of the match, with Rooney controlling Edwin van der Sar's long free-kick coming over his shoulder, before lashing home past Brad Friedel.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Rooney scored his second of the match and fourth league goal of the season in first-half stoppage time, with Nani's inswinging cross finding him at the far post to slot in from close range. Darren Bent pulled a goal back for Villa in the 58th minute, but five minutes later United's two-goal lead was restored when Nemanja Vidić scored United's third goal; curling in a Rooney lay-off from just inside the box.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The day after the Villa match, Gary Neville decided to retire. At the time he was United's fifth highest appearance maker, having played 602 times since making his debut against Torpedo Moscow in 1992. He played his last match for the club in the 2–1 victory away at West Brom on New Year's Day. As soon as the announcement was made, tributes flooded in from supporters, United players past and present, the media and his manager Sir Alex Ferguson.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
On 5 February, United suffered their first league defeat of the season, a 2–1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. United led after three minutes as Nani drilled home inside the near post after turning George Elokobi inside-out. But Elokobi headed in soon after with United's defence sleeping, Matt Jarvis executing a short-corner routine. Kevin Doyle then glanced in just before the break, after which the visitors failed to carve out any clear chances. Although United had many chances in the second half, they failed to beat Wolves, and thus crashed to their first league loss of the season.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United recovered from the disastrous loss at Wolves to win 2–1 in the Manchester derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on 12 February. Nani collected a pass from Ryan Giggs before slotting home from 15 yards to put United ahead just before the break. David Silva, who side-footed wide from an acute angle in the first half, was oblivious as Edin Džeko's shot cannoned off his backside to level for City. But Wayne Rooney won it with an overhead kick that flew into the top corner.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Manchester United took the short trip to the DW Stadium to face Wigan Athletic on 26 February. United won 4–0 to restore their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points, after Arsenal beat Stoke 1–0 three days earlier. Relegation-threatened Wigan shone early on but Edwin van der Sar stood solid. Javier Hernández cleverly clipped in rampant Nani's cross after 17 minutes as the visitors gradually took control. Hernández slotted a cool second 15 minutes from time before a Wayne Rooney tap-in and substitute Fábio's simple shot added a late gloss.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United's next game was the postponed game from 19 December 2010, the away game against Chelsea. The match was played on 1 March, and Frank Lampard's disputed penalty condemned United to only their third defeat in the 2010–11 season (all competitions). United deservedly led at half-time as a fierce 25-yard strike from Wayne Rooney – who Sir Alex Ferguson admitted was fortunate to be playing after escaping further punishment for elbowing Wigan's James McCarthy on 26 February – gave United the lead.


2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The lead was cancelled out when David Luiz scored his first Chelsea goal, volleying home after Branislav Ivanović's flick-on. Lampard converted a penalty in the 79th minute to dent United's hopes of regaining the Premier League from Chelsea, after Chris Smalling fouled Chelsea sub Yuri Zhirkov. United's misery was compounded in stoppage time after captain Nemanja Vidić was sent off for picking up a second yellow card, ruling the Serbian international out of United's testing trip to face Liverpool on 6 March.