10 February 2002 - The Gunners Launch Their Title Assault

On 10 February 2002, Arsenal won away at Everton, 0-1, in Arsène Wenger's 300th match in charge. The match kick-started an English record 14 straight league wins that lifted the Gunners to that season's title and carried over into the following season.

Arsenal began the day in fourth, behind Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester United, but with games in hand on all of them. The Toffees, meanwhile, were 20 points back in 15th. But the match, played before a crowd of almost 31,000 at Goodison Park, was much closer than the table would have suggested.

It was a scrappy affair that would end with five yellow cards, all to Arsenal players. The visitors could not find their form in the first half, appearing sluggish and heavy-footed. It finally took a lucky break for them to take the lead, with striker Sylvain Wiltord (pictured) somehow volleying a Patrick Vieira cross off his shin and into the goal in the 62nd minute.

To the irritation of Everton manager Walter Smith, the referee denied two late penalty shouts from the Toffees and the match ended 0-1. Arsenal proceeded to win all of their remaining 12 league matches en route to the title and did not drop another point until their second match of the 2002-03 season, when they were held to 2-2 at West Ham.

10 January 2007 - Apparently, You Can Go Home Again

On 10 January 2007, Rangers confirmed the return of manager Walter Smith, who had previously led the club to a massive haul of silverware from 1991 to 1998.

Smith originally joined the Glasgow club in 1986 as an assistant to Graeme Souness. The pair provided immediate rewards, delivering the league title in their first season. When Souness left in 1991 for Liverpool, Smith stayed to take the reins and proceeded to win the league for 7 consecutive seasons, including a treble win in 1993. That success came at a price, however--in his 6 seasons in charge at Ibrox, Rangers spent £50m in transfer fees, the most of any UK club over that period.

Smith retired in May 1998, but not for long; he became Everton's manager the next month. But the successes did not follow and he was sacked after three seasons. After a brief spell as an assistant at Manchester United, the Scottish FA tapped him to lead the national team.

Meanwhile, Rangers found it difficult to fill Smith's shoes. His two immediate successors, Dick Advocaat (1998-2001) and Alex McLeish (2001-2006), both started well but soon faltered. And McLeish's replacement, Paul Le Guen, lasted only 10 months, prompting the club to send the distress call to Smith. He repaid them by returning Rangers to the top of the league in 2009 and 2010.

5 August 2008 - Rangers Crash Out Of Europe

On 5 August 2008, FBK Kaunas beat Rangers 2-1 in the second leg of the Champions League qualifying match.

Rangers had finished as runners-up in the previous year's UEFA Cup and carried high expectations into Champions League qualification. They entered into the competition in the second round against Lithuanian champions Kaunas and were highly favored to advance. Kaunas, meanwhile, had started in the first round with a 7-2 aggregate win over Andorran side Santo Coloma.

Rangers and Kaunas had played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Glasgow the week before. In the second leg, Rangers took charge in the 33rd minute when midfielder Kevin Thomson calmly slotted the ball through the legs of Kaunas' Slovakian keeper Marian Kello. Even after a 30-yard freekick from Nerijus Radzius drew Kaunas level in the 43rd minute, Rangers seemed confident of advancing on away goals.

In the 87th minute, however, Rangers failed to handle a Kaunas corner kick and midfielder Linas Pilibaitas headed the ball in from close range to claim the 2-1 aggregate win for the Lithuanian side.

Although the loss triggered a flood of criticism of Rangers and manager Walter Smith, the loss may have been a gift in disguise, as it allowed the team to focus on their domestic duties and they won the Scottish Premier League title that season after a three-year drought.