Marc Albrighton’s strike against Arsenal was the 20,000th goal in Premier League history. Since Sheffield United’s Brian Deane scored the first goal in the league’s history in 1992, we have been treated to every different type of goal, from tap-ins to long range rockets, back-heels, overhead kicks, free kicks and more.
Now this landmark has been reached, I have selected my top ten favourite goals. It’s a difficult task but there’s a bit of everything included and while we might disagree on what should be included, no one can say these aren’t worth watching.
10. Thierry Henry v Manchester United 2000-01
The living legend showing exactly why Arsenal fans love him. With a defender close behind him and his back to goal, it looks like an unmenacing situation and with most players it would be. But Henry flicks the ball up on the turn and unleashes a looping effort into the top corner, leaving Fabien Barthez stranded.
[youtube 7pXknz6XBjY]
9. Johan Elmander v Wolves 2010-11
Oh how Bolton wish they could have him back. When times were rosier last season, the big Swedish striker showed some great footwork in a tight space to wriggle through the Wolves defence and coolly slotted the ball past Marcus Hahnemann.
[youtube fYDImeM4M_8]
8. Dietmar Hamann v Portsmouth 2003-04
Not usually known for his golascoring prowess, their is no way of keeping this strike off the list. From the left wing, Michael Owen clips the ball towards the edge of the D and the German meets it with the perfect volley into the top corner. Credit to Sami Hyypia’s reactions to get out the way of this thunderbolt.
[youtube FJLFjVoYUuA]
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7. Paul Scholes v Bradford City 1999-2000
In one of the Premier League’s most memorable goals, David Beckham plays a corner to the edge of the area and Scholes meets it perfectly in his stride to direct an extraordinary swerving volley into the bottom corner. A training ground tactic finished to perfection by one of this country’s all-time greats.
[youtube 3gOnxDBX9u8]
6. David Beckham v Wimbledon 1996-97
Possibly the goal that turned him into an international superstar. On the opening day of the season, a Wimbledon attack breaks down and when the ball arrives at Beckham’s feet you can see there’s only one thing in his mind.
[youtube GKqqkW3ymxs]
5. Dennis Bergkamp v Newcastle United 2001-02
The Dutchman’s skills were a beauty to behold and this goal typifies it. From a swift Arsenal counter-attack, Pires playes the ball into Bergkamp on the edge of the area. He flicks the ball round Nike Dabizas to the right and runs to the left leaving the defender completely beaten and slides it calmly past Shay Given.
[youtube k3n4CTLDn_w]
4. Tony Yeboah v Liverpool 1995-96
During his time at Elland Road he scored some incredible goals but none are better than this. Nodded back to him about 25 yards out, Yeboah is running parallel to the goal but manages to adjust his body to hit a sweet volley into the net. The way the ball bounces off the under-side of the bar, into the ground and back into the net increases just how fantastic this goal is.
[youtube 44sO4PLCDRM&feature=related]
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3. Robin van Persie v Charlton Athletic 2006-07
It is said that the best players can create something out of nothing and this strike proves that. Emmanuel Eboue plays in a lazy, unimaginative cross and there are no Arsenal players in the penalty area. But 2011’s goalscoring sensation comes steaming in, leaping high in the air to unleash a ferocious left-foot volley into the top corner. The Dutch commentary on this clip makes it even better.
[youtube RzUQQQMIhUI]
2. Wayne Rooney v Manchester City 2010-11
The most recent goal on the list and thoroughly deserving of its place. With time ticking on in the Manchester derby something superb was needed to seperate the sides and this goal is worthy of winning any match. Nani’s cross takes a little deflection but the athleticism of Rooney to set himself and perfectly execute the overhead kick, leaving Joe Hart with no chance.
[youtube 7_Sv9jKT6ek]
1. Paolo Di Canio v Wimbledon 1999-2000
Worthy of Andy Gray’s ‘Take a Bow’ and worthy of topping the list, a sublime piece of skill from one of the most charismatic players in Premier League history. Rightly labelled ‘sensational, even by his standards’ by Martin Tyler, Di Canio met Trevor Sinclair’s deep cross by unleashing a sumptuous scissor kick with the outside of his right-foot in mid-air that ended up flying into the far corner from an impossible angle. A moment of pure genius.
[youtube zsgLQe5ms0I&feature=related]
Follow me on Twitter @jrobbins1991 and let me know which goals you would include in your top ten.
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