BBC SPORTArabicSpanishRussianChinese
BBCiNEWS  SPORT  WEATHER  WORLD SERVICE  A-Z INDEX   SEARCH 

BBC Sport
 You are in: Football 
Sport Front Page
-------------------
Football
Teams
Statistics
FA Cup
Eng Prem
Internationals
Champions League
Uefa Cup
Eng Div 1
Eng Div 2
Eng Div 3
Eng Conf
Scot Prem
Scottish Cup
Scot Div 1
Scot Div 2
Scot Div 3
Europe
Africa
League of Wales
Cricket
Rugby Union
Rugby League
Tennis
Golf
Motorsport
Boxing
Athletics
Other Sports
-------------------
Special Events
-------------------
Sports Talk
-------------------
BBC Pundits
TV & Radio
Question of Sport
-------------------
Photo Galleries
Funny Old Game
-------------------
Around The UK: 
N Ireland
Scotland
Wales

BBC Sport Academy
News image
BBC News
News image
BBC Weather
News image
SERVICES
-------------
LANGUAGES
EDITIONS

Sunday, 12 January, 2003, 11:53 GMT
Saturday's magnificent seven
Jermaine Jenas (left) and Niclas Jensen topped a list of superb strikes this weekend
Jenas and Jensen were quick on the score

The weather may have been cold, but the Premiership's strikers hit a hot streak of form at the weekend.

The Premiership sharp-shooters ensured fans got their money's worth with a host of fabulous strikes.

Here are the pick of Saturday's best....


1: Niclas Jensen (Man City v Leeds)
Jensen admits he does not score that many goals - but what he lacks in quantity, he more than makes up for in quality.

Leeds must have thought they had no reason to be worried as Nicolas Anelka's cross from the right looped towards the goal-shy Dane.

They were soon forced to rethink as the midfielder pulled the trigger with fantastic control, timing and power, lashing a curling full volley into the corner from 25 yards.


2: Jermaine Jenas (West Ham v Newcastle)
Jermaine Jenas celebrates his brilliant goal
Jermaine Jenas scored a wonderful goal
All the pre-match talk was of new Hammer Lee Bowyer, but it was Jenas' superb equaliser which had the fans buzzing come the final whistle.

Lomano LuaLua whipped in a cross which Christian Dailly was only able to half-clear, but the Scotsman could not have predicted that Jenas would make him pay in such style.

The Newcastle youngster chested the ball down and thumped home a terrific 20-yarder on the volley - a fine way to open his Premiership account.


3: Noel Whelan (Middlesbrough v Southampton)
The Boro striker did not have the best of times in 2002, and his strike against Southampton 10 months ago was his last Premiership goal.

But his drought was ended in fabulous style at the Riverside as he produced the kind of dipping, swerving effort which will give Saints' keeper Antti Niemi nightmares.

Whelan struck the ball from fully 30 yards as the Saints defence backed off invitingly, and he could not have caught it more sweetly, watching in delight as it flew into the net.


4: James Beattie (Middlesbrough v Southampton)
James Beattie celebrates at the Riverside
Beattie clearly knew he was going to score
This would have been goal of the day on almost any other weekend as Beattie demonstrated the confidence which has taken him top of the Premiership scoring charts.

Having already scored a fine volley - itself a contender - Beattie picked up the ball in midfield 15 minutes into the second half.

Most strikers would have looked for a pass, but not the BBC Sport Online columnist - he merely took aim and blasted past the bewildered Mark Schwarzer from 25 yards.


5: Paul Scholes (West Brom v Man Utd)
While Premiership players up and down the country were displaying outrageous moments of individual skill, Man Utd demonstrated the art of the team game.

A lengthy spell of possession had seen the Baggies chasing shadows for some time, but there still seemed little danger with Roy Keane in possession in midfield.

But after a one-two with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Keane supplied an accurate cross fired home with surgical precision by Paul Scholes. The Baggies could only watch and admire.


6: Jermain Defoe (West Ham v Newcastle)
Jermain Defoe prepares to score at Upton Park
Defoe hyptonised the Newcastle defence
The England Under-21 star will have done his credibility no harm after the mesmerising skill to create this goal.

Steve Lomas picked out Defoe, but he still had plenty to do in a packed Newcastle penalty area.

His twisting and turning bamboozled those trying to win the ball off him, and a bullet finish sent the Hammers' faithful wild.


7: Jason Koumas (West Brom v Man Utd)
These are not happy times for Gary Megson, but the form of Koumas offers Baggies' fans a glimmer of hope.

Admittedly, the United defence practically invited him to come forward and take a pot-shot as they backed off.

But it still took confidence for Koumas to take them up on the offer and the Welshman's powerful strike left Fabien Barthez looking as foolish as a cowboy without a stetson.

Latest news from the Premiership

Sunday's games

Saturday's games

Have your say

PREMIERSHIP STATS
Links to more Football stories are at the foot of the page.


 E-mail this story to a friend

Links to more Football stories

© BBC^^ Back to top

Sport Front Page | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League |
Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports |
Special Events | Sports Talk | BBC Pundits | TV & Radio | Question of Sport |
Photo Galleries | Funny Old Game | N Ireland | Scotland | Wales