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.

FA Barclays Premiership Report (9th - 10th November)

NOTHING beats a full set of FA Premier League midweek action, infront of packed crowds and floodlit stadiums.  Here is a round-up of the midweek fixtures, which saw Chelsea reaffirm their grip on the title race.

Wednesday 10^th November: Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United

AFTER all the build-up, this was a total non-event.  A very scrappy and cagey affair, both sides seemed fearful of losing the game rather than trying to win it.  Carlos Tevez had the only meaningful effort in the match, with his curling free-kick pushing Edwin Van der Sar to full stretch in the first half.  Other than that and some feisty tackling, the entertainment value was nil in a terrible game.

Wednesday 10^th November: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

DELIGHT: Michael Essien happy with his winner

FULHAM haven’t won an away game in the Premiership in 15 months and that sorry record continued at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea went four points clear at the top.  It was a mixed evening for Michael Essien, who scored the winner.  Essien converting another header on his return to the side, creeping in unnoticed and unmarked from Salomon Kalou’s cross.  Essien was then controversially dismissed in the final minute for a two-footed challenge on Clint Dempsey.  Although it was a tough challenge, it didn’t look malicious, with Chelsea considering a possible appeal.

Wednesday 10^th November: Aston Villa 3-2 Blackpool

MOBBED: Aston Villa enjoyed James Collins late header

IAN Holloway made ten changes to his starting line-up from Saturday’s draw with Everton and his gamble nearly paid off, as Blackpool impressed many with their commitment and competitiveness at Villa Park.  Sadly, they got no points for their efforts.  Stewart Downing gave Villa the lead, although via a deflection for his fifth goal of the season.  Marlon Harewood equalised on his return to Villa Park, with a clean finish on the stroke of half-time.  Youngster Nathan Delfouneso was denied a goal early in the second half, but he buried another chance on the hour.  Blackpool looked to have salvaged a point when DJ Campbell bought the visitors level in the 87^th minute, his shot deflecting off James Collins, which took it past Brad Friedel’s despairing dive.  Two minutes later, Collins made up for his misfortune with a bullet header that gave Villa their first win in six games.

Wednesday 10^th November: Newcastle United 1-2 Blackburn Rovers

PUNCH: Joey Barton faces further action for this punch

BLACKBURN Rovers continued their brilliant record at St. James Park, winning for the fifth consecutive occasion on Sam Allardyce’s first return to Tyneside since his sacking as Toon boss in January 2008.  Blackburn were ahead early on, Chiok Tiote couldn’t get the ball out of his feet, allowing Mortem Gamst Pedersen to get in and rifling a shot past Tim Krul.  Andy Carroll equalised with a trademark header as couple of minutes into the start of the second half.  Joey Barton may face sanctions from the FA, after he had an altercation with Pedersen and punched him in the mid-drift.  It was a punch that Audley Harrison would be proud of!  With eight minutes to go, a lapse of concentration at the back of the home side’s defence allowed Jason Roberts, who couldn’t miss to seal back-to-back wins for Rovers.

Tuesday 9^th November: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Sunderland

CONFRONTATION: Spurs angered by Cattermole's tackle

TOTTENHAM put in a dominant first-half display, but failed to convert their chances into goals against Sunderland.  The second half started controversially when Bolo Zenden bought down David Bentley in the penalty area, yet Howard Webb booked Bentley for diving!  Spurs opened the scoring on 55 minutes, when Gareth Bale crossed for Peter Crouch, who laid a chance on for Rafael van der Vaart to convert.  Asamoah Gyan equalised for the Black Cats two minutes later, but they should have been reduced to ten men by the end, when Lee Cattermole should have been sent off for a disgusting foul on Luka Modric.

Wednesday 10^th November: Wolves 0-2 Arsenal

POWER: Chamakh heads Arsenal into a first minute lead

A TERRIFIC game at Molineux saw Arsenal continue their domination over Wolves in the league.  It has been 31 years since Wolves beat the Gunners in the league and that record never looked like changing once Marouane Chamakh scored after only 38 seconds, a perfect header from Alex Song’s beautiful cross.  Wolves had their chances and were probably the better side, despite Andrei Arshavin hitting the post for the visitors in the second half.  Chamakh closed the game down in the last minute, when Arsenal broke quickly after Lukasz Fabianski (who had a great game) made a smart save from Kevin Doyle.  The Moroccan has now scored eight goals for Arsenal and is becoming a real goal scoring threat that Ian Wright and Thierry Henry have produced down the years for the Gunners.

Tuesday 9^th November: Stoke City 3-2 Birmingham City

LATE: Dean Whitehead scrambles a dramatic winner in

THE stalemate at the Britannia was broken just before half-time, when Ricardo Fuller’s shot was blocked, and the follow-up fell to Robert Huth, who powered a shot past Ben Foster.  A breathtaking second half followed, with Fuller doubling the lead – launching an unstoppable shot past Foster on 71 minutes.  For the second successive match, Birmingham launched an impressive comeback, with goals from Keith Fahey and Cameron Jerome’s header.  The scoreline went from 1-0 on 70 minutes, to 2-2 in 76 minutes.  Doubtful defending from Barry Ferguson set-up Dean Whitehead to win it for the Potters with four minutes to go, Stoke’s first win in five Premiership matches.

Wednesday 10^th November: West Ham United 2-2 West Brom

PENALTY: Odemwingie strikes West Brom infront

WEST HAM stay bottom after throwing away another winning advantage.  A very questionable decision in a corner melee saw West Brom get a penalty that was calmly converted by Peter Odemwingie.  Scott Parker launched a brilliant equaliser in his 100^th Hammers appearance, and then West Ham got their own penalty when Kieron Dyer was pushed in the penalty area by Gabriel Tamas.  Frederic Piquionne scored the penalty, but on 71 minutes, Pablo Ibanez met Chris Brunt’s curling cross to rescue a point for Albion.

Wednesday 10^th November: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Liverpool

CLASS: Torres celebrates his early opener at the DW

LIVERPOOL stretched their unbeaten run to four games, though Roy Hodgson will be disappointed that his side didn’t convert on their bright start at the DW Stadium.  There was just seven minutes on the clock when Steven Gerrard’s neat pass found Fernando Torres, who provided a superb finish for his third goal in four days.  Wigan fought back and deserved their equaliser, coming when Ronnie Stam’s testing cross was parried by Pepe Reina, but only straight into the path of Hugo Rodallega, who drilled in the equaliser.  Despite the draw, the bottom three still has Wigan’s name in it.

Wednesday 10^th November: Everton 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

JERMAINE Beckford scored with the very last kick of the game to rescue a point for the Toffees.  It was his first Premiership goal for the club, after Ivan Klasnic had broken through on the counter attack, tapping in Matt Taylor’s magnificent cross.  Maroualine Fellani was sent off for Everton after kicking out at Paul Robinson with four minutes to go.

FA Barclays Premiership Report (11th - 13th September 2010)

After the international break, the FA Premier League returned and served up one of the all-time classics on Saturday lunchtime, and an England hopeful seeing his dreams crushed by an unlucky and cruel injury.

Saturday 11^th September: Everton 3-3 Manchester United

For the second time this season, Manchester United threw away a winning advantage in the dying seconds, this time at the hands of Everton, after a masterpiece of a match on Merseyside.  Despite falling behind to a goal from Steven Pienaar, United charged into a 3-1 lead, largely down to clinical defending and a nightmare outing from the dopey Sylvain Distin.  Darren Fletcher levelled the scores before half-time, stealing infront of Distin from close range, before Nemanja Vidic pounced unmarked, then Dimitar Berbatov robbed Distin to continue his rich vein of scoring form.  Entering stoppage time, United were cruising, but got sloppy and conceded injury-time efforts from Tim Cahill’s header and Mikel Arteta’s deflected shot.  It was the first time United chucked away a two-goal lead in ten years in the Premiership and with Wayne Rooney having been pulled out of the match by Sir Alex Ferguson; everyone could talk about the match and not headlines off-the-pitch.

Saturday 11^th September: Newcastle United 0-2 Blackpool

Blackpool leapt into the Champions League positions, after an impressive away win at St. James’s Park against a very disappointing Newcastle United.  It was Newcastle’s first home defeat in sixteen months and their impressive unbeaten record fell as flat as a pancake.  Charlie Adam converted a stoppage time penalty and then deadline day signing DJ Campbell struck home a crispy driven strike in the dying stages on the counter-attack.  Blackpool’s win was dedicated to their youth coach Gary Parkinson, who collapsed with a stroke on Friday night.

Saturday 11^th September: West Ham United 1-3 Chelsea

Chelsea maintained their 100% record and inflicted a fourth successive defeat on West Ham United and Avram Grant.  Two headed goals from Michael Essien set the benchmark for the champions, who rarely were troubled.  Salomon Kalou scored the other goal for the Blues, pouncing on another error from calamity Robert Green in the Hammers goal.  Scott Parker scored a late consolation, before Frederic Piquionne somehow hit the crossbar from one yard out in time added on. 

Saturday 11^th September: Arsenal 4-1 Bolton Wanderers

Arsenal held onto their unbeaten record, with a typical, starring performance, with a bit of help from the referee against Bolton Wanderers.  Laurent Koscieny tapped in after a scrappy build-up, but Johan Elmander took full advantage of a defensive mix-up involving Koscieny and Sebastian Squillaci to draw Bolton level on the stroke of half-time.  Marouane Chamakh had the Gunners back infront early in the second half, before Stuart Attwell sent off Gary Cahill for a late challenge that only merited a yellow card.  Afterwards, Arsene Wenger’s side picked off Wanderers, with Alex Song scoring the 1000^th goal of the Wenger reign before Carlos Vela finished off a picture book 25-pass move with a cool finish eight minutes from time. 

Monday 13^th September: Stoke City 2-1 Aston Villa

Stoke City earned their first points of the season, with a hard-fought and deserved 2-1 success over inconsistent Aston Villa last night.  Despite the tragic death of his mother on Monday morning, Tony Pulis turned up on the dugout at the Britannia Stadium in the second half, and his presence turned the fortunes around for the Potters, who were trailing 1-0 at half-time, due to a Stewart Downing header.  The home side dominated the second half, and won the game with two goals in the last ten minutes, courtesy of a header from Kenwyne Jones, his first goal for his new club, then an injury-time winner from German defender Robert Huth.  Kevin MacDonald was still in caretaker charge of the Villains, with new manager Gerard Houillier absent, as his contract with the FFF (French Football Federation) not expiring until September 26^th. 

Saturday 11^th September: Fulham 2-1 Wolves

Fulham collected their first win of the season, but it came at a cost, with a shocking injury to their star striker Bobby Zamora.  Zamora, who signed a new four-year contract on Friday, laid in agony after an altercation with Karl Henry in the 27^th minute.  Henry’s challenge was excellent, and it was the awkward landing that did the damage for the England striker.  Scans revealed that Zamora suffered a broken leg, with ligament damage also showing up.  He will be out of football for the best part of eight months.  By this stage, Fulham were already behind, when Jelle van Damme arrived unmarked on ten minutes to score for the visitors.  New signing Moussa Dembele turned the game around after the break with two goals, his second coming in the 89^th minute.  Wolves’ day turned bleaker as the match went on, with defender Christophe Berra dismissed for two daft yellow cards.

Saturday 11^th September: West Brom 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

The 50^th goal of Chris Brunt’s league career was enough for West Brom to earn a deserved draw against Tottenham Hotspur.  Spurs gave debuts to William Gallas and Rafael van der Vaart, and went ahead early on through Luka Modric.  By half-time though, Harry Redknapp’s side were on the backfoot, with Modric leaving the Hawthorns on crutches and Brunt levelling the scores after Spurs failed to clear Marc-Antoine Fortune’s looping cross. 

Sunday 12^th September: Birmingham City 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool had Pepe Reina to thank for, as they battled to a fortuitous point against a far better Birmingham side at St. Andrews.  The Spanish goalkeeper produced two stunning saves in the first half, to deny Cameron Jerome and Craig Gardner.  Missing Dirk Kuyt through injury and with Fernando Torres still nowhere near his best, Roy Hodgson’s side showed a lack of creativity and will be relieved to escape the Midlands with another point on the board.

Saturday 11^th September: Manchester City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

Despite their dominance, Manchester City failed to secure the three points against a hard-working Blackburn Rovers at the City of Manchester stadium.  Nikola Kallinic pounced on a dreadful miscommunication between Joe Hart and Kolo Toure to score his second goal of the season, once again from a goalkeeping blunder.  Despite Patrick Vieira rolling back the years with a fine equaliser early in the second half, Roberto Mancini will be frustrated by his team’s failure to convert their opportunities into goals.  This was definitely two points dropped by the multi-millionaires.

Saturday 11^th September: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Sunderland

Asamoah Gyan began repaying the £13million that Sunderland spent on him on deadline day, with the Ghanaian coming off the bench to earn Steve Bruce’s side a share of the spoils at the DW Stadium.  Sunderland were on the backfoot, once Lee Cattermole was sent off for the second time already this season, following two rash tackles inside 27 minutes.  Gyan came on for Danny Wellbeck at half-time and within fifteen minutes, powered the Black Cats ahead from Jordan Henderson’s cross.  They were denied the three points by a late scrambled equaliser from Wigan centre-back Antolin Alcaraz.