Moment of the year It has to be Eric Dier’s penalty against Colombia in the World Cup. Finally, finally England won a penalty shoot-out. And a knockout match. It may have only been a last-16 fixture, but it felt like a release, the removal of a mental block and a lift-off. And all of that at the same time. After all the embarrassments, failings and disappointments, here was a young England team showing character, belief and professionalism – and who came back from conceding a last-minute equaliser. There was the added dimension of Gareth Southgate, who had himself missed the crucial spot-kick in the semi-finals of Euro 96, being England’s manager. The celebrations, on the pitch in Moscow, in the stands in the stadium, and at home, showed how much it meant, while my phone went crazy. Performance of the year Liverpool 3 Manchester City 0 in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final. It was a unique and extraordinary night, as only big European occasions at Anfield can be, it seems. What was also remarkable was that although Pep Guardiola’s side were overpowered and overwhelmed, especially in a devastating first-half performance from Liverpool, there was still that lingering doubt that such…