Happy New Year, whoever you support, wherever you will ring in 2023.
It's been a memorable calendar year for football, so as we bid farewell to 2022, let's remind ourselves of its greatest hits – and misses – both at home and further afield.
Allow me to jog your memory of some highlights from the last 12 months ... including one or two you may have missed while you popped out to put the kettle on.
BEST GAME OF 2022
Argentina 3-3 France: It has to be the World Cup final. For a game of that magnitude to produce so much drama, and so many sub-plots, it was one of the most incredible spectacles of all time. From Lionel Messi finally landing the holy grail to Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick and finishing on the losing side to the shoot-out, it took your breath away. And not many of us expected that when Argentina were 2-0 up with 10 minutes to go.
Not far behind was Manchester City 3-2 Aston Villa on the final day of the season. If it didn't quite match Sergio Aguero's 94th-minute winner in 2012 for brinkmanship, coming back from 2-0 down to pip Liverpool to the title – yet again – took it to the wire.
And a personal favourite: Macclesfield 4-3 Mossley. We went 3-2 down at home in the 90th minute but scored twice in stoppage time. At our level, that felt as good as Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero's late show for City in 2012.
BEST PLAYER
It's got to be Erling Haaland. For him to come into the Premier League billed as the greatest thing since sliced bread, and live up to all the hype, has been breathtaking to watch.
With respect to Lionel Messi winning the World Cup at 36, Haaland looks like he is going to rewrite a clutch of Premier League records. He has looked unstoppable, an absolute monster.
And to think that after the Community Shield, people were saying Liverpool's Darwin Nunez looked a better bet to win the Golden Boot...
BEST SAVE
No question about it – Emiliano Martinez in the dying minutes of the World Cup final.
France sub Randal Kolo Muani was clean through, the ball had sat up nicely for him 15 yards out and the holders were within sight of a sensational 4-3 win... until Aston Villa keeper Martinez made himself 'big' and diverted Kolo Muani's shot with an outstretched leg.
Not all the greatest goalkeeping saves are made with the hands – that one probably rewrote the pages of history.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Hands up all those who had Arsenal down to be five points clear at the Premier League summit at Christmas. Or even in the top four, come to think of it?
One pundit said the Gunners would "crumble" towards the end of the season and filter back into the chasing pack – but nearly halfway through the campaign, there is no sign of it happening yet.
BEST YOUNG PLAYER
The one who has excited me most of all is Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho. The way he takes on defenders, his directness and verve are going to make him one to watch in 2023.
On the international stage, Jamal Musiala was terrific for Germany at the World Cup. It was an enormous shame for the tournament that he had to go home after the group stage.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Cristiano Ronaldo – for the way his Manchester United career ended.
For all the goals, all the enjoyment, all the stardust he brought to Old Trafford and the Premier League, it was a massive disappointment that he chose to burn his bridges in that interview with Piers Morgan.
BEST MANAGER
In my book, it's Eddie Howe. Newcastle United were heading for the Championship 12 months ago. They had won only one of their first 20 Premier League games and were embarrassed in the FA Cup by Cambridge.
But look at them now – knocking on the door of the Champions League and the best defensive record in the country. That's a massive tribute to Howe's coaching – and spending wisely under the new Saudi regime's generous transfer budget.
BEST PERSONAL MOMENT
Watching Wales qualify for their first World Cup in 64 years by beating Ukraine, with Macclesfield lifting the North West Counties League trophy – only a year after Rob Smethurst and I relaunched the club out of extinction – equally close to my heart.
BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
Kevin de Bruyne's four-goal haul, including a 17-minute hat-trick in the first half, as Manchester City won 5-1 at Wolves on the title run-in.
Some idiot, who shall be nameless, once queried the £54 million City paid for him. He's turned into the Premier League's most complete midfielder and a wonderful player to watch.
...AND HERE ARE MY TIPS FOR 2023
Premier League champions: Manchester City
Champions League: Manchester City
Carabao Cup: Manchester City
FA Cup: Manchester United
Golden Boot: Erling Haaland
Player of the Year: Erling Haaland
One to watch: Vincent Kompany leading Burnley back up
Unlikely, but possible: My Six-0-Six sidekick Chris Sutton getting a prediction right
