Newcastle’s historic thrashing of Paris Saint-Germain, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham revolution and Stuart Broad’s fairytale farewell to Test cricket.
They were Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton’s picks as their finest moments from 2023 in the It’s All Kicking Off New Year special.
Digesting another action-packed 12 months, Mail Sport football editor Ladyman picked out Newcastle’s sensational 4-1 Champions League win over the Parisians as his favourite moment.
‘You can say whatever you like about ownership, we’re all in it for the football and that was an incredible football occasions.
Newcastle United’s incredible 4-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain was Ian Ladyman’s highlight
Chris Sutton has loved watching Ange Postecoglou’s ‘brilliant’ Tottenham team this season
But Stuart Broad’s fairytale finale in Test cricket during the Ashes was an all-round highlight
‘I remember sitting in the press seats watching Jamaal Lascelles warming up.
‘He was not, with the greatest respect to him because he’s been a great servant for Newcastle, but he wouldn’t necessarily be a first pick these days were it not for injuries.
‘He was warming up in one half and Kylian Mbappe was warming up in the other and I thought goodness me how on earth is this night going to go?
‘Well, it did go badly for the French team and it was wonderful to be there.’
Australian boss Postecoglou has been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League, with his Spurs side topping the Premier League table a few months ago.
His attacking approach reached it’s zenith when Spurs continued to attack Chelsea even when down to nine men in November, before eventually succumbing 4-1.
Sutton said: ‘Footballing-wise, it would have been Ange Postecoglou doing something different and the footballing world, you journalists, going into meltdown. I loved it, I was excited, brilliant!’
But both agreed that Broad’s sensational exit from Test cricket – when he smashed a six with his last shot as a batsman then took the final wicket with his final ball as England beat Australia to square the Ashes – was a real 2023 highlight.
Chris Sutton was full of cheer as he reflected on 2023 and offered his New Year resolution
Ian Ladyman recalled fondly being at St James’ Park for Newcastle’s historic win over PSG
Despite pre-match doubts, Jamaal Lascelles (centre) managed to keep Kylian Mbappe in check
Broad’s brilliance in his final game before retirement helped England level the Ashes series
‘My best moment would have been Stuart Broad finishing his career as he did do with a massive six and a couple of wickets to get England over the line against the Aussies at The Oval,’ said Sutton.
‘I was there and I can’t remember much of it. It may have been three pints, it used to be six pints.’
Ladyman added: ‘I don’t even think that was the best Stuart Broad moment of the year.
‘The best moment was when he was doing that exaggerated placing of his bat back in his own crease in that Test match where Jonny Bairstow had been controversially run out by the Australian wicketkeeper.
‘Every time the ball went dead after that, Stuart was playing to the crowd and trying to get under the Aussies’ skin.’
And in a show of seasonal goodwill, Sutton came up with an interesting resolution for 2024.
He said: ‘My New Year’s resolution would be no more northern jibes towards you. I need to cut that out, I’m better than that.
‘I need to cut out the northern jibes and I will do my best. But you need to give me three strikes.’
