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.

Five Years On From One Unbelievable Night In Istanbul

It is five years on today, from one of the greatest nights ever in the prestigious history of Liverpool Football club.  No Liverpool fan present in the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, nor the millions listening on radios and watching on giant TV’s across the city, in bars and clubs and in home throughout the country will ever forget the night Rafa Benitez’s Mighty Reds became European Champions in the most unbelievable manner.  It is time to reminisce the over-riding joy of such an epic night full of emotions.

It is Wednesday 25^th May 2005, and it is a beautiful summer’s day across the country, whilst in Turkey, Liverpool’s date in Istanbul in the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final, against the mighty Serie A giants, AC Milan.

The 2004/05 domestic season for Liverpool had been a struggle.  Crippling injuries and a dire away record left Liverpool finishing the season a disappointing 5^th beaten in the final table by our domestic neighbours from Stanley Park, Everton.  This meant a season of UEFA Cup football was set to follow at Anfield, toppled with the fact that we finished nearly 40 points behind the new champions, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.  Our best form had been saved for the Champions League.  

Who could forget Steven Gerrard’s stunning strike against Olympiakos in the group stages, which kept us in the competition by the skin of our teeth, the slaying of Italian champions Juventus, then the controversial ‘goal’ that shattered Chelsea’s treble dream and loosened Mourinho’s grip on the European Cup during a nail-biting early May night at Anfield.  For the first time in twenty years, Liverpool were heading to a European Cup final, could we pull out one more historic performance and complete the most unlikely of triumphs.

The first half was forgettable, not because we were so bad, more the case of Milan playing football out of this world, that no-one could live with.  Milan skipper Paolo Maldini volleyed his side infront inside of 50 seconds, and then Chelsea loanee Hernan Crespo scored a quick fire double to leave Reds fan devastated.  With a dejected Harry Kewell limping off before half-time and Steve Finnan forced off at the interval, everything seemed to be going against Liverpool.  In six crazy minutes, Liverpool roared back into the final, with quite probably, the greatest ever sporting comeback ever seen.

Ten minutes into the second half, Steven Gerrard headed in a deep John Arne Riise cross and pulled the scoreline back to 3-1.  Suddenly, doubts crept into the back of AC Milan minds; manager Carlo Ancelotti was chewing his gum far harder than he had just two minutes earlier.  Moments later, substitute Dietmar Hamann found Vladimir Smicer and in his final Reds appearance, the Czech hit an optimistic shot which the unconvincing Dida spilt through his grasp and into the net.  Now, the comeback was well and truly on, miracles are well and truly possible!  Then, Gerrard links up with the frustrating Milan Baros and is tripped by Gennaro Gattuso.  No doubts from the Spanish referee Gonzalez, who points to the spot, Gattuso lucky to stay on the pitch.  Step up Xabi Alonso, with a chance to equalise for Liverpool.  The penalty was pretty tame and Dida saved it, but Alonso snapped up the rebound and lofted the ball into the top of the net.  Mission impossible had been accomplished.  Five minutes earlier, Liverpool had been 3-0 down – now they were on level terms.

For the rest of the game, Milan looked shell-shocked, but started to gain a sense of control again.  With the match edging closer towards penalty, Brazilian Serginho whips a dangerous ball into the penalty area, which is met by Ukraine goal machine Andrei Shevchenko.  Surely, he must score!  However, he didn’t as somehow, Jerzy Dudek denied him twice.  Even now, Dudek probably doesn’t know how he kept Shevchenko now, and quite probably, neither does Sheva himself.

Into the drama and tension of a penalty shootout, and its Milan who go first.  Serginho’s first penalty belonged in the ‘House of Horrors!’ It was a shocking kick, and Andrea Pirlo’s lame effort was stopped heroically by Dudek.  Dietmar Hamann banged his kick home, as did super sub Djibril Cisse.  Liverpool, 2-0 up, now the dream was looking like a real reality.  Jon Dahl Tomasson made no mistake, and nor did Kaka for the Italians, despite Dudek’s best attempts to put the kickers off by copying the ‘wobbly legs’ format that Bruce Grobbelaar had successfully achieved in the 1984 final.  In between this, Dida did enough to push Riise’s effort around the post.  Still, Liverpool were in control and Smicer made it match point, dispatching his penalty with efficient calm.  What it meant now was that Shevchenko, who had scored the winning penalty in the diabolical 2003 final at Old Trafford, had to score.  The weight of the world was firmly on his shoulders, and his kick wasn’t the best.  Dudek pulled off a terrific stop and the European Cup was returning to England, and to Anfield.  LIVERPOOL ARE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE AGAIN!!

The most extraordinary final, had a most incredible final twist.  Liverpool had their hands on the European Cup again, and this time, it was for keeps.  Their fifth success meant that this version of ‘Old Big Ears’ was going to have a permanent storage in the Anfield trophy cabinet.  Liverpool had won the European Cup back in the most unbelievable manner.  It is a night that no-one will ever forget, one of those ‘Where was I’ moments in history.

Five years on, and the fire of this success still burns strongly and deeply with everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club, ‘One Unbelievable Night in Istanbul.’