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Broadcaster Martin Tyler adjusts his headphones prior to a friendly pre-World Cup soccer match between the United States and Australia at Ruimsig Stadium in Roodepoort, South Africa Saturday June 5, 2010. Tyler, 64, an acclaimed broadcaster for Britain's Sky Sports, has been brought in by ESPN as its lead broadcaster for the World Cup in South Africa that opens Friday.

11 of Martin Tyler’s greatest pieces of commentary: Martial, Aguero, Macheda…

Mitchell Wilks •

Martin Tyler has called time on a legendary football commentary career with Sky Sports after 33 years with the broadcaster, following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.

The voice of football for several generations of fan, the 77-year-old cut his teeth with ITV throughout the 1970s and 80s, before heading to Sky in 1990 and ushering in a new era of football.

Tyler became the man synonymous with some of the greatest and most memorable moments in the game, giving an identity to the Premier League, while also establishing himself on Champions League nights and in international competition.

It’s fair to say the final few years of Tyler’s commentary have left a lot to be desired. The less said about his more recent and increasingly common aimless ramblings, separated the deafening silence of his own breath down the microphone, the better.

That doesn’t tell the full story, though; a story of a remarkable career in one of the most difficult gigs there is.

To celebrate the legend that is Tyler, we’ve threaded together some of his greatest moments from up on the gantry.

Anthony Martial vs Liverpool (2015-16)

‘OOOOHHH YES! WELCOME TO MANCHESTER UNITED, ANTHONY MARTIAL!’

Very few people on the planet could do justice and relay the ecstasy of Manchester United’s newest foreign import coming off the bench to score a winner in front of the Stretford End against Liverpool, but Tyler certainly could.

Martial’s Premier League debut was always going to be iconic for the way it panned out, but Tyler ensured it was etched into football’s history books forever by doing it justice on commentary.

Vincent Kompany vs Leicester (2018-19)

A strike from the heavens that put one hand on the Premier League title for Manchester City, many associate the ‘goal-gasm’ with Gary Neville, but Kompany’s astounding finish sent Tyler into one of his own.

‘OHHHHHH, OHHHHH, OHHHHHH!

‘CAPTAIN MARVEL… MANCHESTER CITY WITH A MASSIVE GOAL. THE BREAKTHROUGH – AT LAST!’

Emile Heskey vs Germany (2001)

Seeing Tyler commentate over anything but Premier League may feel a little strange to younger football fans, but he was bloody good at it. In his pomp.

And my word, did he make one historic night in English international football history feel that bit more special. He loses all composure as Emile Heskey latches onto a pass and bursts through the last line of defence, giving us an all-time bit of commentary. Pure emotion.

‘IT’S EMILE HESKEYYY! IT’S FIIIIVE!’ Tyler exclaimed, with disbelief and exhilaration bleeding out of his voice in equal measures.

Ji Dong-won vs Manchester City (2011-12)

Later on in the season, Tyler would assist City in perhaps the club’s finest hour, which was a brilliant soother for this moment in January 2012.

City had a win on their minds when visiting Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, with noisy neighbours and title rivals United having lost to Blackburn Rovers. They failed to break down the Black Cats, though, and looked to be headed home having dropped two points in a 0-0 draw.

Enter Ji. The South Korean popped up with an injury time winner that sent Sunderland fans into frenzy and knocked all the wind out of a shellshocked City, in one swift moment. Tyler, of course, provided unmatched levels of commentary.

‘Sessegnon… FOR JIIII!! HE’S ROUND THE GOALKEEPER, AND HE’S DONE IT!!! ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE’

Vivid memories of BBM being filled with United fans putting Ji as their display picture for a few weeks. What a time to be alive.

Philippe Albert vs Manchester United (1996-97)

Tyler sums up this one perfectly. And when you revisit moments like this, it makes you thankful for his efforts in the early years of the Premier League, where he made great moments truly legendary.

“On a day where Newcastle would have taken 1-0, here they are looking for number 5…. with PHILIPPE ALBERRTTT! OH!!!… Absolutely GLORIOUS!!”

Didier Drogba vs Bayern Munich (2011-12)

Chelsea, on the biggest night in the history of their club to date, had to get past the beast that was Bayern Munich to lift their first ever Champions League.

It was time for heroes. And not only did Drogba step up, levelling the game and then tucking away the winning penalty, but so too did Martin Tyler. He was at his very best here; considered, passionate and informed.

‘HE’S DOOOOOONE IT. THE GREATEST NIGHT IN THE HISTORY OF CHELSEA FC, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS. THEY’VE BEATEN BAYERN IN THEIR OWN BACK YARD. THEY’VE FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL,’ He barked as Drogba’s penalty made the net ripple, confirming Chelsea as winners.

Better than Peter Drury? Quite possibly.

Jamie Vardy vs Manchester United (2015-16)

On a special night for Jamie Vardy, in what would become an endlessly special season for Leicester City, Tyler was on the gantry – as always – to provide a record-breaking goal with the delivery it deserved.

“It’s eleven, it’s heaven for Jamie Vardy! Hold the front page, hold the back page – a Leicester player has smashed the record”

Doesn’t always have to be a scream at maximum volume, because when Tyler finds the right words, it all comes together. Brilliant.

Lionel Messi vs Bayern Munich (2014-15)

We normally associate Messi’s plentiful moments of superhuman sorcery with the ever eccentric Ray Hudson, but it was actually Tyler who delivered one of the greatest and most fitting pieces of commentary on the Argentine in 2015.

On their way to a treble, Barcelona looked imperious. Messi was unplayable – as usual. But even though he reminds us of his sheer wizardry with extreme regularity, he pulled out a truly jaw-dropping goal that would leave most people speechless. Not Tyler, though – iconic.

‘Here he is again, here he is again, that’s ASTONISHING! IT’S ABSOLUTELY WORLD CLASS’ He said, as Messi slalomed through Bayern’s last line of defence, tied Jerome Boateng up in knots and then dinked the ball over Manuel Neuer.

‘He’s taken them apart… Only football can make you feel like this’

Andrey Arshavin vs Barcelona (2010-11)

Sometimes, the trick to sealing an iconic moment as legendary is to keep it simple. Let the beauty of it breathe. Tyler did that perfectly here. Spotting that Arshavin was about to nestle Samir Nasri’s pass into the net, he bursts into life and lets emotion take over.

‘Still Nasri… Looks for ARSHAVIIIIIIINNN! Wonderful play from Arsenal. Arsene Wenger’s philosophy put into practice, and not even Barcelona could come up with an answer!’

Federico Macheda vs Aston Villa (2008-09)

One of the greatest moments in Premier League history, Macheda probably still has Tyler’s commentary of his debut goal as his ringtone to this day.

I certainly would – along with bedding of it and posters of it plastered around the house.

Last-minute winners in front of the Stretford End are always unforgettable, but when it comes on debut and puts United within touching distance of the title, it’s a different level of special.

‘Great turn by MACHEDAAAAAAA! ASTONISHING!’

Sergio Aguero vs QPR (2011-12)

There was only one way a list like this could ever end. Sorry, United fans.

‘Manchester City are still alive here… Balotelli… AGUUEERROOOOOOOOOOOO!’

‘I SWEAR YOU’LL NEVER SEE ANYTHING LIKE THIS EVER AGAIN!’

READ NEXT: 12 unbelievable stats from Man City’s iconic ‘Agueroooo’ 3-2 win over QPR

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every club to ever appear in the Premier League?

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