Premiership greatest goals (Part 2)

THE FA Premier League is celebrating 20 years of sensational action, with many controversial moments, classic matches, title clinching deciders and transfers that shook the world.  However, there is always the debate of what is the greatest goal to have ever be scored in the Premier League.  Well, here is my second selection of favourite goals in the world's greatest league and why I think they are special.

Robert Pires - Liverpool v ARSENAL (October 2003)

WE'VE already seen the best of Robert Pires with his lobbing skill, but this was he exceptional use of the bending shot.  Arsenal's unbeaten season in 2003/04 had plenty of special goals and this was another one; fully fitting of scoring the winner at Anfield against a poor Liverpool team.

Federico Macheda - MANCHESTER UNITED v Aston Villa (April 2009)

THIS goal still sickens me today, but it was a quality finish from an unknown quantity.  Barely anyone had heard of Federico Macheda when he took his place on the bench for this match against Aston Villa.  Trailing at home 2-1, Sir Alex Ferguson threw on his Italian youngster more in desperation than looking for that piece of quality.  Cristiano Ronaldo had equalised, but even he would have to applaud this astonishing moment from the new hero of Old Trafford.  As much as I was devastated, as it dented Liverpool's title hopes that season, it's a top-class finish.

John Arne Riise - LIVERPOOL v Manchester United (November 2001)

IF THERE'S another free-kick that rivals this one, feel free to let me know!  John Arne Riise has a searing debut season at Anfield, but no impact was more than this one against bitter rivals, Manchester United.  Not only did Fabian Barthez get beaten and not be blamed for the goal, I agree with Martin Tyler; How did the goal remain standing?  WOW!

Tony Yeboah - Wimbledon v LEEDS UNITED (September 1995)

I AM not picking on those who supported Wimbledon; they've just had a load of special goals scored against them.  Just weeks after that stunning volley beat Liverpool, Yeboah was at it again at Selhurst Park, with one of the hardest strikes ever seen in the FA Premier League.  He was in a hot streak in the early stages of this particular season and it's hard not to see why!

Shaun Bartlett - CHARLTON ATHLETIC v Leicester City (April 2001)

THE vision from Graham Stuart can't be faulted and the finish was absolutely brilliant.  In Shaun Bartlett, Charlton Athletic had introduced the first South African striker to the Premiership and finishes like this proved that on his day, Bartlett was almost unplayable.  It was a great goal, one of the finest strikes of a football from a long pass I've ever seen.  A fully deserved winner of goal of the season in 2000/01.

Michael Essien - CHELSEA v Arsenal (December 2006)

TRAILING 1-0 to London rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Jose Mourinho needed a positive result to stop themselves being left behind by Manchester United.  Cue Michael Essien, with this rip-roaring strike that had everyone applauding in the ground, except Arsenal fans of course.  Cometh the hour, cometh the man and the raging, tough-tackling Ghanian delivered on this chilly December afternoon, in exceptional fashion.

Papa Boupa Diop - FULHAM v Manchester United (December 2004)

WHAT is it with these Africans scoring great goals in December!  Papa Boupa Diop is another example.  Boupa Diop had shown some of his quality two years earlier in Senegal's run to the World Cup quarter-finals and here is him at his prime of what he was capable of.  It was a weird celebration, but nothing weird about the finish - a great goal which earnt a point for Fulham in a thrilling match against Manchester United.

Kanu - Chelsea v ARSENAL (October 1999)
ONCE again, another African footballer features.  Kanu was one of those players who on his day, could be unplayable or basically not turn up on the field.  His most incredible match came on an afternoon of all weather conditions at Stamford Bridge.  Arsenal were losing 2-0 at Chelsea with an hour played and looked dead and buried.  Enter the Nigerian, who scored three goals in quick succession to turn the match on its head.  Not only did Chelsea concede their first home goals of the season, they lost the match and their season simply imploded.  For Kanu, it was a moment he will never forget.  This third goal, from such an impossible angle was breathtaking and one of my personal favourite goals.



Jeremy Goss - Leeds United v NORWICH CITY (August 1993)
FANS of Norwich City will always associate Jeremy Goss for the goal in Munich that knocked Bayern out of the UEFA Cup.  Two months earlier, he warmed up for this magical night, by connecting sweetly from Ruel Fox's cross to leave John Lukic clutching at straws.  It was a goal that the whole Elland Road crowd applauded, so it must have been special.  Norwich won the game 4-0; at a time when their football was just a joy to watch.



Paul Scholes - Aston Villa v MANCHESTER UNITED (December 2006)

HE MAY have had a big habit for mistiming a challenge, but for me, this was the best goal of Paul Scholes long and distinguished career at Manchester United.  Why do I think that?  It was in a tight match where it could have gone either way, it showed he still had class in abundance and from such a long distance out, it was truly outstanding.  A moment of brilliance from one of the most consistent players to be seen in the 20 years of Premier League football.

Neil Mellor - LIVERPOOL v Arsenal (November 2004)
WOW!  His career may have not gone the way he would have liked, thanks to horrific luck with injuries, but Neil Mellor will never be forgotten by Liverpool fans for this stunning strike.  This was a day when an injury-hit Liverpool, missing the likes of Baros, Cisse, Garcia and Josemi came up against the former invincibles of the Premiership.  Liverpool outfought the Gunners on the day and this 90th minute goal not only highlighted the team spirit under Rafa Benitez at Anfield, but started the decline of that great Arsenal side.  I remember leaping up and down when this goal went in at the time, such a sweet moment to beat the champions.  Oh, and it knocked Jens Lehmann out of the Arsenal side, as he was dropped afterwards.  Always a sweet memory!



Paul Konchesky - West Ham United v FULHAM (January 2009)
NOW at Leicester City in the Championship, Paul Konchesky's career has taken him through great spells at West Ham and Charlton, to a dismal six months with Liverpool last season.  However, his peak was at Fulham.  Konchesky is now for his speciality from the dead ball, but he can hit a drive from distance on occasion and he did so here, against his former club.  Fulham lost the match, but Konchesky had produced the game's unforgettable moment and this is a goal where you can't blame Robert Green!



Matt Le Tissier - Blackburn Rovers v SOUTHAMPTON (December 1994)
HOW many times did Matt Le Tissier produce moments like this?  Plenty of occasions where he made the impossible, almost possible!  This goal at Ewood Park should be admired for it's solo run, the sheer accuracy and the way it dazzled Tim Flowers in the back of the Rovers net.  Matt admits this was his best ever goal for Southampton.  I'd disagree with that, but it was another special.



Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - Manchester United v CHELSEA (September 2000)
HAVE we ever seen a better goal scored at Old Trafford by a visting side?  I don't think so.  Chelsea had made a poor start to the 2000/01 campaign and sacked Gianluca Vialli after four games of the season.  The unheard Claudio Ranieri took over and his first port of call was Old Trafford.  So, what a way this was to start 'The Tinkerman's' reign at Stamford Bridge.  A crisp volley from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was such a predator infront of goal.  It left Raimond van der Gouw to watch and admire - a real corker out of the top draw from Jimmy.



Dennis Bergkamp - ARSENAL v Tottenham Hotspur (November 1996)
THE Dutch master was Dennis Bergkamp and he has scored some goals in the Premiership that realistically, only he was ever capable of scoring.  There is another goal that stands out from him to come in a later blog, but I really like this one too.  Defending a narrow lead in the North London derby, Ian Wright plays his part with a deep cross into the penalty area, before leaving his strike partner to do the rest.  A great goal from a genius on the football field.



That is part two of my lookback at some of the greatest goals we've seen in the Premiership.  However, if your favourite wasn't here, there will be at least one more chance for it to be mentioned.  There will be more 'good' goals to come soon from the best league in the world; The FA Premier League.

Premiership greatest goals (Part 1)

THE FA Premier League is celebrating 20 years of sensational action, with many controversial moments, classic matches, title clinching deciders and transfers that shook the world.  However, there is always the debate of what is the greatest goal to have ever be scored in the Premier League.  Well, here is my selection of favourite goals in the world's greatest league and why I think they are special.

Matt Le Tissier - SOUTHAMPTON v Newcastle United (October 1993)

Matt Le Tissier had been dropped from the Southampton side after being accused of acting 'lazy' by unpopular Saints boss Ian Branfoot.  Here is Le Tiss's response against newly promoted Newcastle and for me, it is one of the best individual goals in the 20 year history.  The finish might not have been the cleanest, but the execution was stunning.

Wayne Rooney - MANCHESTER UNITED v Manchester City (February 2011)

I'm never going to be a big fan of Wayne Rooney, but he does produce moments of unbelievable skill and his goal in February to win the Manchester derby at Old Trafford was deserving of any goal to win such a crucial match.  The ability to produce what he did is something that not many players in the world can achieve.  As Martin Tyler said in his commentary, this goal defies description, so just sit back and watch.

Paolo Di Canio - WEST HAM UNITED v Wimbledon (March 2000)

If I was choosing the greatest goal in Premiership history, it would be this sensational strike from Paolo di Canio infront of the Sky cameras.  As ever with the Hammers, there was some lovely build-up involving Trevor Sinclair and Marc-Vivien Foe, but Di Canio stole the show, by leaping off the ground with both feet and striking the ball in mid-air which left Neil Sullivan grasping for thin air.  This was genius at work.

Robert Pires - Aston Villa v ARSENAL (March 2002)

Robert Pires seemed to have a ridiculous ability of scoring 20 goals a season from midfield and he was the perfect foil for Thierry Henry.  On a damp afternoon at Villa Park, he showed cheek in lobbing the great Peter Schmeichel with a piece of sublime skill.  No wonder why Arsenal won the double this season, when you take a look at this finish.

Eric Cantona - MANCHESTER UNITED v Sunderland (December 1996)

Eric 'King' Cantona was one of my favourite ever foreign players to play in the Premiership and I always felt he retired far too soon from The Beautiful Game.  This goal against Sunderland not only completed a 5-0 rout, but the celebration of him just standing there, seeming to indicate; 'See if you can do better!' just summed up Cantona.  A true Premiership foreign great and the finest player for me to have worn United's coveted No.7 jersey.

Cesc Fabregas - ARSENAL v Tottenham Hotspur (October 2009)

There was a time when Arsenal were actually the leading lights in North London.  Tottenham had been improving under Harry Redknapp, but they were left shell-shocked in this derby by two quick-fire goals from the Gunners.  Robin van Persie put Arsenal infront, before Cesc Fabregas went on a brilliant mazy run and finished impeccably past Hereulho Gomes.  One of the finest solo strikes you will ever see.  (Both goals on the embedded video)

Tony Yeboah - LEEDS UNITED v Liverpool (August 1995)

Ghana's first star in the Premiership was Tony Yeboah.  He arrived at Elland Road in January 1995 and left Leeds fans with some great memories in his two years at the club.  The pick of his goals was this sensational volley at home to Liverpool.  The connection with the ball is so sweet, no goalkeeper in the world would save it.

Claus Jensen - Arsenal v CHARLTON ATHLETIC (November 2001)

In one of the biggest shock results of Premiership history, Charlton came to Highbury and beat Arsenal 4-2.  Claus Jensen was an enigmatic player, who never really fulfilled his talent, but this is what the Dane could do and he did it in style, robbing Patrick Vieria of possession, then chipping Richard Wright from a tricky angle.  This was a special goal on a special day for the Addicks.

Maynor Figueroa - Stoke City v WIGAN ATHLETIC (December 2009)

Some might say that Thomas Sorensen shouldn't have been caught out, but I think this was a brilliant piece of vision from Wigan left-back Maynor Figueroa.  For him to even try something like this is fantastic and he got the right result.  No luck in this, just supreme vision and great accuracy from so far out and a deserved winner of Goal of the Season in 2009/10.

Danny Rose - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v Arsenal (April 2010)

Quite possibly the best ever goal to be scored in a North London derby?  What an introduction into the first-team for talented youngster Danny Rose, with a strike that he will always be remembered for, no matter what he does for the rest of his career.

Stan Collymore - BRADFORD CITY v Leeds United (October 2000)

The career of Stan Collymore was controversial to say the least.  His best time came at Liverpool, but he rolled back the years on his debut for Bradford City, with a glorious overhead kick against Yorkshire rivals, Leeds.  It was only a brief spell at Valley Parade, but Stan the Man had made his contribution to the Bantams relegation battle.

Barry Horne - EVERTON v Wimbledon (May 1994)

Everton badly needed a hero as they desperately tried to cling onto Premiership status in 1993/94.  They were trailing 2-1 to Wimbledon, when Barry Horne became their unlikely saviour with this rasping drive.  Graham Stuart went on to score the winner and Toffees avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth.  Not a famous goal in the Premier League archives, but a very important goal on the Blue half of Merseyside.

Dallian Atkinson - Wimbledon v ASTON VILLA (October 1992)

In the first season of the FA Premier League, Aston Villa were serious title contenders.  Dallian Atkinson scored the pick of their goals in the inagural campaign, including this breathtaking run and delicious finish at Selhurst Park.  His career stalled after leaving Villa, but in those days, Atkinson could come up with some great predatory finishes.

Stan Collymore - NOTTINGHAM FOREST v Wimbledon (October 1994)

Here's that man again; Stan Collymore with a tremendous run from the halfway line and given all the time in the world by the Wimbledon players, punishes them with a great shot.  This goal was Sky Sports goal of the season in 94/95 and it highlighted the huge talent that Collymore had available to him, which sadly he never really built on.

Cristiano Ronaldo - MANCHESTER UNITED v Portsmouth (January 2008)

Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player in the world, until a certain Lionel Messi came along and his ability to strike a ball from a free-kick is world class.  This is his best example, against Portsmouth, in quite amazing fashion.  David James just had to stand, admire and so did the whole of Old Trafford.

So, that's part one of the greatest goals to have been scored in 20 years of the FA Premier League, but if your favourite isn't here, then don't worry just yet.  I will be doing two more blogs, sharing my favourite selection of 'good goals.'