Mastering the comeback can be as important off the pitch as on it

Journalists have to move almost as swiftly as players to respond to late – or shifting – scores, writes Ben Burrows

Paul Pogba of Manchester United celebrates with teammate Alex Telles at the weekend (Getty)

The comeback is one of sport’s great dramas.

Everyone has their favourite. Liverpool in Istanbul in 2005. Europe at Medinah in 2012. Ben Stokes at Headingley in 2019.

For a fan there are few things more joyous than snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Supporters of Manchester United know that more than most, that famous night in the Nou Camp in 1999 still burning bright in their memories.

Fergie time – named after then boss Sir Alex Ferguson – became synonymous with the great United sides of the 1990s and 2000s, the Red Devils routinely getting the goal they needed at the very end of a match, often beyond what was supposed to be the end of a match if Ferguson's trusty watch was doing its thing.

Those same fans will tell you that this current iteration of United isn't quite the same as those of old, with a league title or European crown a distant hope rather than the routine expectation it became under the great Scot.

What they do share, however, is a nose for a comeback, of getting something from games they deserve little from.

This weekend was case in point. At half-time at the London Stadium, West Ham were 1-0 up and well worth it. Tomas Soucek's 38th minute goal was reward for a fine performance from the home side with the hosts in truth being value for an even larger advantage such was the impressiveness of their display and the poorness of United's.

Then came the switch. Inspired by half-time substitute Bruno Fernandes, United roared back into the game scoring three times in 13 second-half minutes to wrestle all momentum and most importantly all three points away from a disbelieving Hammers.

While fans may revel in such seesaw drama the same can't always be said for the journalists watching from the press box. A late comeback can mean a full rewrite of a report, a late deciding goal the death knell for a neatly crafted intro or a well put together pay-off.

Though a nightmare scenario those writing about the changing action unfolding must always be able to adapt, to be able to think quickly and move with the game and, in many cases, not be afraid of starting again altogether.

Mastering the comeback can often be just as important off the pitch as it is on it.

Yours, 

Ben Burrows

Sports editor