While England's domestic leagues and cup competitions saw plenty of twists and turns in 2013, so too did the country's 2014 World Cup aspirations. Going into their final qualifier against Poland in October, the Three Lions knew three points was imperative if they were to secure top spot in Group H following Ukraine's predicted mauling of perennial whipping boys San Marino. With the pressure on, two of England's biggest stars delivered the goods on the day - Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. The former headed in a Leighton Baines cross to put Roy Hodgson's men on the precipice of Rio, and passage to the World Cup finals was memorably secured by Gerrard - typically two minutes from time in a nail-shredding second half of football. Anything less than a win would have meant a hazardous two-legged play-off round against another top international side - a fate that happily befell Ukraine instead when they were dramatically gazumped by France and knocked out.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
