Net masters and disasters: Niall Quinn, Bobby Moore, John Terry and the top 10 emergency goalkeepers

By Mirror Football in

Published 16:30 11/03/10

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By Joe Mardon

Robbie Savage joined the union of goalkeepers on Wednesday night when the Derby captain donned the gloves just before half-time after starting keeper Stephen Bywater went off injured, and his replacement Saul Deeney was red carded.

Despite Sav's best efforts, the Rams succumbed to a 4-1 defeat, although the blond-haired skipper will surely claim credit for keeping the score that low.

In honour of Sav's heroics, MirrorFootball remembers 10 other occasions when outfield players have been forced to serve with between the sticks - although some were far more successful than others.

NETMASTERS

1) Niall Quinn, Manchester City
Being able to look the crossbar right in the eye must have meant Quinny was always going to be first choice to go in goal in an emergency. He was called upon while playing for Manchester City against Derby County in 1991. Having scored early on, he found himself between the sticks after Tony Coton was sent off before half-time.

Deadly Rams striker Dean Saunders was a sure bet to beat the lanky Irishman when a penalty was awarded, but Quinn pulled off a fantastic and unexpected save - which also relegated Derby in the process. Undisputed top of the class for his sterling contribution at both ends.

2) John O'Shea, Manchester United
In February, 2007, Edwin van der Sar was injured while playing for Manchester United at White Hart Lane. With United having already made three substitutions, Rio Ferdinand grabbed the goalkeeper's jersey. It was quickly taken away from him and given to John O’Shea, which proved to be another tactical masterstroke from Fergie as the Irishman kept a clean sheet as United coasted to a comfortable 4-0 victory. He even pulled off a one-on-one save from Irish team-mate Robbie Keane.

3) Phil Jagielka, Sheffield United (Part I)
The Everton defender gained cult status during his time with Sheffield United after a string of magnificent saves against Millwall at the Den. Never the easiest of places to play, the home fans made it as difficult as possible for the defender with the gloves, but he conceded just once in 2-1 victory.

4) Phil Jagielka, Sheffield United (Part II)
His goalkeeping form was remembered two years later, as he again donned the gloves with United a goal up at home to Arsenal. A fine late save to deny Robin van Persie secured the three points and Jagielka's place in Blades' folklore.

5) John Terry, Chelsea
Centre-half stalwart Terry had no trouble keeping the sheet clean during a brief stint in goal against Reading. Following injuries to both Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, Terry swapped his no.26 shirt to end the game wearing third choice Hilario's No.40. Chelsea were leading 1-0 at the time and Reading did little to test JT's reflexes, as the Blues secured a key victory on their way to Premiership glory.

NET DISASTERS

1) Bobby Moore, West Ham
Legendary World Cup winning captain Moore spent a bleak evening keeping goal at Stoke in the League Cup for West Ham in 1972. Mooro replaced the injured No.1 Bobby Ferguson to wild encouragement from travelling Hammers' fans. Stoke inevitably put Moore under immense pressure, but struggled to find the net, until the award of a penalty. Brain Moore commentating said his namesake was "a million to one" to save from the spot. But Moore - the player, not the commentator - almost pulled off the impossible when he dived to his left and the ball cannoned off his chest. Unfortunately, Mike Barnard scored the rebound and West Ham went on to lose 3-2.

2) Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United
Rio finally got his chance in goal against Portsmouth at Old Trafford in the FA Cup in 2008, following another Van der Sar injury and the sending off of replacement keeper Tomas Kuszczak. Rio's first task was to try to save from the penalty spot. He dived the right way but Sulley Muntari's strike was well placed and evaded Ferdinand's outstretched arm, as United crashed out of the Cup to the eventual winners.

3) Vinnie Jones, Chelsea (Part I)
Before reinventing himself as a bona fide Hollywood movie star, Jones made the transformation from hard man midfielder to, well, a suspect keeper. Twice. His first attempt came for Chelsea against Sheffield Wednesday in 1991 in a 3-0 defeat which saw him unable to hide his love for a tackle, making challenges with his feet and clearly forgetting he was allowed to now use his hands.

4) Vinnie Jones, Wimbledon (Part II)
Vinnie was back in goal for Wimbledon in 1995 against high flying, free scoring Newcastle United at St James' Park. Title chasing Toon showed little mercy for Vinnie. With the regular Dons keeper sent off, they stormed to a 6-1 win. The Lock Stock man had improved though, and made a fantastic save from David Ginola, to great applause from both fans. Should Hollywood FC ever find themselves in a similar predicament, the gloves could well be tossed his way.

5) Peter Beardsley, Newcastle
The former England and Newcastle forward is lesser known for his talentw at stopping the ball going in at the other end. And rightly so. During his first spell with the Magpies, Beardsley ended a League game at Upton Park in 1986 trying to keep out a rampant West Ham. He failed miserably, conceding the last three goals in an 8-1 defeat, Alvin Martin's hat-trick coming against three different keepers. What's your favourite memory of seeing an outfield player end up in goal? Sign in below and let us know...

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