🎥 OTD: David James plays up front for Manchester City 😱
Few things in football are as bizarre, or as entertaining, as a goalkeeper playing up front.
That is exactly what happened when Manchester City faced Middlesbrough on the final day of the 2004/05 season.
Exactly 20 years ago today, City faced the Teeside outfit with both sides in contention for the final UEFA Cup spot.
The game was all square late in the second half following goals from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Kizito Musampa.
City were in desperate need of a second goal, and with six minutes remaining, then-manager Stuart Pearce made one of the boldest substitutions the game has ever seen.
He took off Claudio Reyna and brought on substitute goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, pushing David James, who had played the entire match in goal, up front.
20 years ago today, David James became a striker for Manchester City. 😂pic.twitter.com/C2kUFVOqQr
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 14, 2025
Chaos ensued in the closing stages, with Robbie Fowler missing a last-gasp penalty for City, and Middlesbrough ultimately securing European qualification, as a point proved enough for the visitors.
📸 Julian Finney - 2005 Getty Images
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