The season may not be over yet, but looking back on another exciting year of Premier League football it’s hard not to get over excited remembering some of the great goals that have been scored already.
There are sure to be more screamers, crackers and stonkers scored before the final day but here is a run down of the best ten to have flew in already.
10. Leighton Baines – Everton vs Newcastle United
There is always room for a great free kick on a list like this. Baines has seen his stock rise this season as not only his crossing has become deadly but his shooting and set pieces have too. Unleashing a swerving 30-yard free kick to level up the scores against Newcastle, he’s cemented himself as England’s reserve left back of choice, though, he has been picked ahead of Ashley Cole lately.
We’d all like to see Cole try and do that!
9. Jose Enrique – Liverpool vs Swansea City
A delightful work of tiki-taka brilliance from Liverpool, topped off by a terrific finish by Jose Enrique into the roof of the net. It was a move from the training ground that seemed to show what Liverpool fans can expect from Brendan Rodgers once he settles in and gets the team to buy into his philosophy.
It’s the third goal in this match highlights video:
8. Andreas Weimann – Aston Villa vs Liverpool
The second goal in Villa’s shock 3-1 win at Anfield in December. Everything about this goal was beautifully crafted, from a footballing and aesthetic point of view. The original pass from Weimann to Benteke was inch perfect, and then the Belgian had the audacity to back heel the ball into the Austrian’s path for him to cooly slot home past the helpless Pepe Reina.
7. Hatem Ben Arfa – Newcastle United vs Aston Villa
A vital equaliser scored at a time when Newcastle were struggling to get back into the game against Villa. Ben Arfa came off the bench to add a much needed element of danger to the Magpies squad and helped push Villa back at a time they were looking to add a second. Here he collects the ball from 20 yards, stands up two defenders and unleashes an absolute ripper into the top corner. The mercurial Frenchman has struggled with injuries again this season but goals like this prove just how effective he can be.
6. Luis Suarez – Liverpool vs Newcastle
The Uruguayan may divide opinion, but one thing that is not up for debate is his sparkling ability to turn a game on its head. This goal was a particular highlight for the man during a stop-start campaign for the club. A route one pass into the box found the 26-year-old’s shoulder, he then knocked it down and had the quick feet, and thinking, to take it round Tim Krul and tap it into the open net.
5. Sergio Aguero – Manchester City vs Liverpool
A goal that oozed class and cool and managed to make a fool out of Pepe Reina in the process. The ‘keeper rushed out to meet the Argentine forward who was able to squeeze the ball in at an impossibly tight angle.
4. Gareth Bale – Spurs vs West Ham
What do you do when you get fouled in front of the referee and he ignores you? Score an absolute blinder, of course! Bale has kept up a level of consistency for the third season now that has taken him from a good player who attracts the occasional admiring glance to a world class superstar who is now mentioned in the same breath as Messi and Ronaldo.
3. Cameron Jerome – Stoke City vs Southampton
Not a name synonymous with long range finishes but this will undoubtedly be the finest goal Cameron Jerome will ever score. Scored late in the game to rescue a point for Tony Pulis’ men, a typically searching ball was pumped forward to be controlled on the chests of Kenwyn Jones and Peter Crouch before the ball fell to Jerome’s feet who let off an almighty howitzer into the top corner from 25 yards.
2. David Luiz – Chelsea vs Fulham
Quite the strike from a centre back. The Brazilian found himself in acres of space 35 yards out and launched a swerving missile into the top corner.
1. Matt Lowton – Aston Villa vs Stoke City
This goal is ahead of Luiz’s strike for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s timing couldn’t have been better, Villa had been in control for much of the game only for Stoke to equalise with ten minutes to go. Secondly, it’s hard to know what the best part about this goal is. The chest control, the audacity to take the shot and send the ball dipping over the ‘keeper with pinpoint accuracy from 25 yards, or the fact that he managed to do all of that whilst being closed down by two men.
Note the shape of his body when he shoots. Poetry in motion.