Here’s how an unforgettable season unfolded at the Weston Homes Stadium from the first whistle to the last...
1.
SEPTEMBER: A later start to a season than normal and Covid kept key players Siriki Dembele and Reece Brown out of the opening game at Accrington (pictured), and two superb goals condemned Posh to a 2-0 defeat. They looked like losing their first home game as well after Fleetwood took a 1-0 lead into added time, but Jack Taylor and Sammie Szmodics scored to deliver an unlikely victory (2-1). Sadly a dodgy penalty late in the day at Sunderland (0-1) after an even contest meant an inauspicious start to 'Operation Vengeance'. Posh ended the month in 19th : P3 W1 D0 L2 Pts 3.
2.
OCTOBER: Six wins and a draw in seven matches shot Posh to the top of the table by the end of the month. Only rock-bottom Burton (2-2) stopped Posh delivering a clean sweep in October. Among the vanquished were Cobblers (2-0, inevitably), Oxford (2-0), Wigan (2-1) and Shrewsbury (5-1). Siriki Dembele bagged a hat-trick against Shrewsbury. Nathan Thompson (pictured) and Reece Brown scored at Sixfields. Posh finished the month in 1st place: P10 W7 D1 L2 Pts 22.
3.
NOVEMBER: Only four League One games this month and two were lost including a first league home defeat of 2021 (to Blackpool, 1-2, pictured). Posh did beat Plymouth (1-0) and Bristol Rovers (2-0) but they lost top spot to Hull. It's a Football League review so no mention of an embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Chorley. Posh finished the month in 2nd place: P14 W9 D1 L4 Pts 28. Photo: Midlands
4.
DECEMBER: The annual defeat at Wimbledon (1-2) was followed by a dismal 2-0 loss at Portsmouth as Posh showed how not to play the midfield diamond formation so the 4-1 home win over Rochdale (pictured) was important. Fergie was rewarded for throwing his youngsters into the fray against Dale. A draw at MK Dons (1-1) again showcased the young talent at the club. Posh didn’t play after the 15th because of Covid. They reached Christmas in 5th place: P18 W10 D2 L6 Pts 32.