2010: Year of the Yid

After so many years of coming OHSOCLOSE to a breakthrough year (food poisoning, anyone?), 2010 definitely became the Year of the Yid. There were many great moments over the course of the past year, so let's take a walk down memory lane.

-Late season push to secure 4th on the table

I was fairly nervous when April rolled around this year, with the squad hovering around an elusive Champions League birth. Successive losses to Sunderland in the league and Portsmouth in the FA Cup didn't exactly help my confidence, with matches against heavy hitters Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as Bolton and Burnley looming. Dropping points could not happen with City nipping at our heels.

Sure enough, the team responded with a 2-1 defeat of Arsenal with produced this gem of a goal from Danny Rose (I still get goosebumps watching that strike).  Another 2-1 win followed over title chasing Chelsea, then a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United which set up a de facto playoff for a boat load of Champions League cash. After some close calls for both sides, the bean pole Peter Crouch headed home glory (includes full match highlights). 

-Europe's Biggest Stage

Despite qualifying for the Champions League, we needed to beat NAMBLA-endorsed Swiss outfit Young Boys in a home & home series to reach the group stages. After dropping the first leg 3-2 away, the team responded with a 4-0 thumping for a place in the group stage against reigning champs Inter Milan, Werder Bremen and a sleeper in FC Twente. Who would have thought that we'd be talking about winning the group and beating Inter at home at this point? With a tough draw against AC Milan in the knockout round, Spurs are poised to continue a grand run through Europe. Much deserved. 

-Derby comeback

There have been many great North London Derby games lately, including the thrilling 4-4 draw at the Emirates two seasons ago, but this year's 3-2 comeback win was even sweeter. Former Gunner skipper William Gallas captained Spurs and irritated Samir Nasri to the point of a cold shoulder in the pre-match line; nonetheless, the experience and steady hand Gallas showed on the back line was instrumental in the comeback. 

-Gareth Bale, Welsh Jesus: Redemption

After being bought from Southampton for £5 million in 2007, Bale carried the infamous title of not being on a winning side for 24 straight league matches. 2010 definitely saw an emergence of the Welshman on the left wing, providing devastating runs and performances against competition this year (highlights of his San Siro hat trick here). The following quote from Rafael Van der Vaart sums up Bale's exploits over the last 12 months:

Everyone is scared of him [Bale]. Maicon is one of the best right-backs in the world — he killed him.

-The Flying Dutchman Sets Sail

Speaking of VdV, the Dutchman's influence at the Lane have been a driving force as to why Tottenham has found themselves around the top of the table once again this year. Considered surplus parts at Real Madrid (behind Kaka and newly purchased Werder Bremen/German star in the making Mesut Özil), a deadline deal at the bargin basement price of £8 million has definitely been the steal of the season. VdV has bagged eight goals in the EPL so far (leading the team) and also has four assists. A creative and strong influence in the center of the pitch, he has created numerous opportunities for everyone else and adds the necessary star power to take Tottenham to the next level.

What is everyone's favorite moment from the past calendar year? Anything that got left off the list that needs to be on here?