Highlights

• Peter Drury replaced Martin Tyler as Sky Sports' main commentator at the start of the 2023/2024 season after establishing himself as one of the best commentators in sports broadcasting.
• Some of the most iconic moments in football history have been beautifully captured by Drury's commentary, including goals by Scott McTominay, Vincent Kompany, and Wayne Rooney.
• Drury's commentary not only enhances the moments themselves but also becomes memorable in its own right.

Not only is the action that we see on the pitch important, but the words that reverberate around the drama and delirium take football to that next level in entertainment. Peter Drury is one of the most poetic commentators on the scene, with his extensive thesaurus elevating action on the pitch to transcend it into “goosebumps” moments. When fans hear Drury’s voice, they know what to expect.

The 56-year-old broadcaster has been on the microphone for almost two decades and has become a household name for football fans around the world, telling the tales of some of the greatest moments in football. Drury took over as the main commentator for Sky Sports ahead of the 2023/24 season after Martin Tyler announced he was leaving the organisation.

There are certainly some memorable moments on the commentator's CV, and so here are the 11 most iconic Peter Drury commentary moments of all time.

11 Scott McTominay

Manchester United vs Manchester City - 2020

One of the slightly more recent footballing moments that encapsulates how eloquent Drury can be, while also summing this goal up perfectly. The Red Devils getting one over on their rivals has become a rarity over the past decade, but this match was one to remember as it confirmed Manchester United had done the league double over Manchester City in the 2019/2020 season.

As Scott McTominay sealed the win for United against their local rivals by capitalising on an extremely rare Ederson mistake, Drury spoke only a sentence that perfectly explained what had just taken place in front of his eyes, calling it 'a red-letter day' and eulogising over what a big moment it was for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Red Devils boss.

10 Michy Batshuayi

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea - 2017

The stage was set for Batshuayi in what was an action-packed Champions League encounter in the Spanish capital. After receiving a hostile reception from the home fans when subbed on with eight minutes to play, the Belgian won it for Chelsea in the final minute of stoppage time, to which Drury shouted: “Steal, steal, wonderful steal from Chelsea and Conte.” One of Chelsea’s most memorable European nights and brilliantly echoed by Drury.

The Italian manager has earned a reputation for finding a way to win games by hook or by crook, but this Champions League victory will be one of the sweeter successes as Conte got one over fellow tactician, Diego Simeone, in an aggressive atmosphere. The moment is dramatic enough in its own right, but the words added by Drury give it an even stronger edge.

9 Mohamed Salah

Liverpool vs Chelsea - 2019

This goal lifted the roof off Anfield and Drury out of his seat, as he couldn't hide his sheer excitement when Mohamed Salah’s shot thundered past Kepa into the back of the net for Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp's side needed to win in order to keep pace with Manchester City in pursuit of the Premier League title and Salah's incredible strike past a despairing Kepa Arrizabalaga sealed the 2-0 win over Chelsea.

“That is beyond special.” Those were the first words that were stated by Drury after a period of stunned silence, as the crowd applauded what was a special goal from a talented footballer. Liverpool may not have gone on to win the league title during that campaign, but that goal was one their fans revisiet over and over again and the strike itself was enhanced by the words from Drury.

8 Vincent Kompany

Manchester City vs Leicester City - 2019

A goal that pretty much secured the Premier League title for Manchester City in 2019, and what a way to do it. After the former Citizens’ skipper blasted Pep Guardiola’s side closer to retaining their domestic crown, Drury vocalised his response in just two words, “captain fantastic.”

With City needing a win to ensure their fate remained in their own hands in one of the greatest title races we have ever seen against Liverpool, the Belgian centre-back strolled forward before unleashing a powerful effort into the top corner of the Leicester net. Teammate Sergio Aguero even admitted that he told Kompany not to shoot, such was the rarity of the big defender pulling out a moment like this.

7 Eric Dier

England vs Colombia - 2018

This was a moment that sent the nation wild with excitement. England's record in penalty shoot-outs had been historically poor, but the Three Lions managed to change that on the biggest stage in international football. Drury shouted: “History has been made for this new team, new territory,” as they hadn’t reached the quarter-finals since 2006. What a feeling and a symbolic choice of words.

The story didn't end there either for that England side, as they would go on to reach the semi-finals before suffering a devastating extra-time defeat at the hands of Croatia. Had they gone on to win their first World Cup since 1966, we can only imagine the passion and emotion that would have spilled out of Drury, such is his genius behind the microphone.

6 Siphiwe Tshabalala

South Africa vs Mexico - 2010

The year 2010 signified the first World Cup in history to take place in Africa - and what a way to kickstart the tournament by South Africa’s Siphiwe Tshabalala. After giving the hosts the lead midway through the second half, the stadium erupted into joy which also brought Drury out in a frenzy. “Goal for South Africa. Goal for all Africa,” he emphatically shouted in such a timely manner, as the goalscorer pulled out some iconic dance moves with his teammates in celebration.

Not only was this a huge goal for the entire nation, with the world watching, but the quality of the goal often gets overlooked when people discuss it. Some silky build-up play from the host nation led to a brilliant through ball to send the rapid winger through on goal. Tshabalala certainly didn't play it safe as he unleashed a vicious strike into the top corner of the net. This was a goal worthy of some excellent Drury commentary for both the moment and the brilliance of the finish.

5 Thierry Henry

Real Madrid vs Arsenal - 2006

One of Arsenal’s most famous goals in their unforgettable run leading up to the 2006 Champions League final in Paris. Real Madrid stood in their way in the round of 16, and the Gunners’ legendary striker Thierry Henry stole the show at the Santiago Bernabeu - while donning the now iconic yellow away strip - with a stunning solo goal.

When the ball whistled past Iker Casillas, Drury made the most of a remarkable moment, proclaiming Henry as 'the Gunner Galactico.' Arsenal became the first English side ever to win at the famous old ground. The Gunners would go on to reach their very first Champions League final, but even with the magical Frenchman, they would come unstuck against Real Madrid's arch rivals, Barcelona and narrowly lost 2-1.

4 Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal vs Manchester City - 2023

This is the first inclusion on this list that took place after Peter Drury joined Sky Sports and this was arguably the biggest match he'd had to commentate on since he made the switch. Arsenal and Manchester City had gone toe-to-toe for the title the previous season and their match-up in October 2023 promised to give a strong indication of who was most serious about winning the title that campaign.

In the end, it was the Gunners who came out on top, via a small dose of luck, as Kai Havertz played the ball back to Gabriel Martinelli on the edge of the area and the Brazilian's shot found the back of the net via a wicked deflection off Nathan Ake, sealing the win for Mikel Arteta's side four minutes from time. Barely able to make himself audible over the Emirates tumult, Peter Drury bellowed down the mic, 'How that matters, how that matters', showing that sometimes the most obvious statements are the most profound.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: This win marked the first time Mikel Arteta had beaten his former boss Pep Guardiola in a league match in eight attempts.

3 Sergio Aguero

Manchester City vs QPR - 2012

One of the greatest moments in Premier League history had to be accompanied by Drury himself - and he did not fail on this occasion. With the last kick of a dramatic 2011/12 season, Sergio Aguero struck home to earn Manchester City their first Premier League title. The trophy had looked to be heading to their fierce rivals Manchester United after Roberto Mancini's side had somehow fallen behind to QPR, but the Argentinian centre-forward manage to complete a memorable comeback in stoppage time.

“It’s just the most extraordinary scenario you could have dreamt up.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Peter. While some will remember Martin Tyler's perhaps more famous commentary on this occasion, both men should be given due praise for reacting in a brilliant way to an incredible moment in Premier League history.

2 Wayne Rooney

Manchester United vs Manchester City - 2011

“What a goal, at what a time, in what a place, what a player.” This scintillating moment in Manchester United’s history was arguably one of Peter Drury’s best moments in his commentating career, as Rooney scored a stunning bicycle kick to topple their local rivals in 2011. The strike ranks right among the best of Rooney's Premier League goals and Drury’s comments here are enough to give anyone the chills.

This incredible goal lives long in the memory of not only Manchester United fans but all Premier League fans. Many will be able to recall and recite the words of Drury on the day without a second thought. Being able to remember the commentary just as much as the goal itself is one of the biggest compliments that can be given to the man behind the microphone.

1 Kostas Manolas

Roma vs Barcelona - 2018

It simply had to be the “Greek God in Rome” comment that marked Kostas Manolas' dramatic goal in 2018 topping this list. In an unbelievable second-leg performance, Roma came from 4-1 down against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final to win on away goals, and it was Manolas who bagged the winner with a glancing header in the 82nd minute.

There could not have been a better man behind the microphone for what turned out to be a historic encounter, and one of the greatest shocks in the history of Champions League knockout football. The emotion poured into the commentary was particularly apt on this occasion as the underdogs proved that anything can be achieved with their memorable triumph over one of the best teams in the world at the time.