BBC SPORT | ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP | Schmeichel's goal of the week

BBC Sport Online's Goal of the Week is Peter Schmeichel's remarkable volley for Aston Villa against Everton.

Peter Schmeichel has had a remarkable career in English football.

Renowned as the Premiership's best-ever goalkeeper, this eccentric Dane was a key member of the Manchester United team that swept all before them in the 1990s.

I've seen goalkeepers score before on TV - but never in a game that I've been managing

Everton manager Walter Smith

A superb shot-stopper, an inspirational leader and an intimidating figure in the penalty area, Schmeichel appeared to have it all at United.

But there was one string that he was never able to add to his bow in his first stint in England.

Despite untold mad rushes into the opposition area in the closing stages of key games, Schmeichel never managed to score a Premiership goal for United.

But now he is with Aston Villa - and on Saturday he etched his name deeper into footballing folklore with an injury-time strike against Everton.

Far post volley

With Villa trailing 3-1, the big man went up for a corner and positioned himself at the far post.

The Everton defence seemed to overlook the threat of the lurking goalkeeper, and left him unmarked.

So when the ball ricocheted into his path he was able to swing his right foot and smack a volley past opposite number Paul Gerrard.

Sadly for the Great Dane, his close-range strike was not enough to earn Villa a point, as they went down 3-2.

Peter Schmeichel celebrates his goal at Goodison Park
Schmeichel: First Premiership goal
But as his manager John Gregory testified, Schmeichel so nearly capped an amazing comeback for Villa, who had been trailing 3-0 with 20 minutes left.

"I told Peter when he came off that had he been upfront for the last 10 minutes, we would have equalised," Gregory said.

"Peter was carrying a thigh injury to his right leg, he was doing all his kicking with his left foot, but that still didn't stop him scoring with his right."

Everton manager Walter Smith admitted he feared the worst when Schmeichel decided to stay up front after scoring his goal.

Another corner came over - but this time Gerrard claimed the ball and Schmeichel was denied a glorious equaliser.

"I've seen goalkeepers score before on television," Smith said, "but never in a game that I've been managing. And I hope that I don't see it again.

"You watch Schmeichel come running up for these situations, he does it a lot.

"And you just keep your fingers crossed because you think it's going to be sod's law.

"I still had them crossed when that second corner came in, thankfully Paul got that one."


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