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| | Sunday, 12 January, 2003, 11:24 GMT Goal of the season so far?  This Saturday's Premiership action saw an avalanche of spectacular goals. Send in your nominations for the season's finest. Southampton's James Beattie fired in two rocket shots against Middlesbrough, answered by Noel Whelan's long-range strike. Jermaine Jenas entered his contender for goal of the season with a stunning volley against West Ham, for who Jermain Defoe replied in some style. The sides from Manchester provided some scorching goals too. United's Paul Scholes with a smart finish against West Brom and Niclas Jensen fired in a superb volley for City against Leeds. Which goal this season would you rate highest? This debate is now closed. A selection of your emails appears below. The best goal of Alan Shearer's career, as described by the man himself. If the pick of more than 200 can't win the award for one season then he's been very unlucky. Other contenders would be Jensen's recent goal, Henry's expert example of "taking the mickey" versus Spurs, and Rooney's wonder-strike against the Gunners. Just because it went over Seaman's head doesn't make it a lob! 1)Shearer's volley vs Everton. 2)Shearer's free-kick vs Man Utd. 3)Shearer's volley vs Villa last season.
Shearer's volley against Everton was a classic. OK, so I'm a Toon supporter, but it was pure magic from the man who is probably one of the best English-born strikers of all time. Goater's second against Man U was my favourite till I saw Jensen's goal last Saturday - after that, any goals scored against Man U. Scholes finish was one of pure class. His technique is the best in the world. Gary McAllister's 30-yard volley against Derby was a goal that even Matt Le Tissier would have been proud of. Why has everybody forgotten about Thomas 'Der Hammer' Hitzlsperger? Is it because no-one can spell it, or because he doesn't play for one of the "Red Three"? He hasn't just done it once though, he's scored wondergoals FOUR TIMES already this season but doesn't even get a mention, especially on "The Premiership". Bring back Match of the Day! It must be Andy Cole's stunning goal for Blackburn in front of the Kop at Looneypool. A bit of class from a superb striker. Cheer up Gerrard!!
Whelan and Jenas's were wonderful strikes, but the skills demonstrated by Defoe was out of this world. It was superb! Van Nistelrooy against FC Basle. I am surprised to see that people are arguing about that. He's by far the best. Di Canio's goal against Chelsea was pure brilliance. Once again the old magician pulled off something more than special. The fact that it was so far out, he held the ball up in the air on his knee and the unleashed the fury with his LEFT foot. Showing true talent. One of the only and definitely the best striker in the Premiership with both feet. There is no other player who has as much natural ability with both his left and right foot as Di Canio. He's a little ripper. Jenson's goal against Leeds on Saturday was quite simply one of the best goals I have ever seen with perfect timing on the volley. A good way to lose a game if the ever was one. Henry's goal against West Ham at Upton Park. He got a goal back for his team with a world-class flick around the defender for himself to run onto then verociously smashed the ball into the net to bring Arsenal back in the game. As a Liverpool fan I can truly admit that Henry has got to be one of the best players in the world, and with goals like that, why not???
As a Spurs fan it pains me to say that it has to be a Thierry Henry goal. Not the one against us but the stunning strike against West Ham at the start of the season. It is without doubt his best strike in English football. A close runner up has to be Alan Shearer against Everton not long ago. For me, Henry's was slightly better. I'm not saying this because I support Newcastle but Alan Shearer's goal v Everton was perfect in every way possible, and how you keep a shot like that from going to the highest row in the stadium I don't know. Muzzy Izzet's wonder-strike against Grimsby. Leicester 1-0 up then down to 10 men, the equaliser quickly followed and it was going to take a goal like Muzzy's to win the game. Quality strike from a quality player. Roooooooooney, Roooooooooooney.... Without a doubt Nicolas Jensen's goal against Leeds. I just love volleys from outside the box, they are the most aesthetic and difficult goals. Remember Di Canio's goal of the season against Wimbledon three years ago? Even as an Arsenal fan it is not hard to appreciate Robbie Keane's wonder strike against Leeds. It was a goal of sheer brilliance that you will rarely see bettered. The fact that it was also scored against the club that treated him so appallingly was even better. Good lad Robbie!
Matt, England Without a doubt it has to once again be Paolo Di Canio. I agree there are some strong contenders but nobody can match the flair that this man has on his day. Rooney's goal against Arsenal was absolute quality. Someone his age striking a ball like he does is scary. England's Number one. Could easily fill the boots of Shearer! Come on Sven give him a chance. Has to be Jensen for Man City against Leeds, running at pace, outside of the left boot, keeper no chance. I think Bergkamp's goal against Newcastle last season should be given the award for this season too! Sheer brilliance. It's out of Di Canio's v Chelsea or Henry's solo against Spurs. There is no doubt that they are the two contenders. Noel Whelan's goal was by far the best goal. Outshone Beattie's on the day. Shearer's volley against Everton has to be the best so far, especially given the context of the match. Five minutes to go, Newcastle one down, nerves setting in everywhere in the team, except for Shearer. The man is just phenomenal.
I believe Gary McAllister's goal against Derby has been the best goal of the season so far. Quality strike from a quality player pushing 40! I'm an Arsenal fan, so it pains me to pick this goal, but you have to take your hat off to Wayne Rooney. The instant control of a steepling pass, the turn to beat his man, the stunning finish over the keeper into the top corner. Perfection. But when you look at the context - a 16-year-old kid, against the champions, a winning goal in the dying minutes. Unbelievable! I know everyone adores Henry's goal against Spurs, but for me his best was against West Ham. The way he spun the ball over the defender's head was top class and then the shot that followed was amazing. Even two goalkeepers would have struggled. Also you have to consider the situation Arsenal were in at the time (2-0 down with 10 minutes to go). Danny Mills' goal for Leeds against Bolton before Christmas wasn't too shabby (neither was Jason Wilcox's in the same game). Zola's curler against Blackburn early in the season and the Babayaro goal against Sunderland! Other contenders: Hamann's powerful free-kick against West Ham and Henry's solo genius against Spurs. Shearer's 25-yard screamer against Everton has to go down as not only his best but THE best goal of the season. Technique, speed, power and positioning were all absolutely perfect. There is no better English striker at the moment and hasn't been since Lineker. The goal of the season is the goal from Paolo di Canio against Chelsea. An unbelievable goal! Alan Shearer's goal (you know which one I'm talking about), the volley against Everton, a match which needed a stroke of genius and that is exactly what it got. You can never get bored of seeing that goal!! I believe that the best goal of the season so far is Owen's third goal against Man City to complete his hat-trick. The build-up to the goal was great and the the goal itself was even better. I am a little biased, but it's got to be Henry's solo against Tottenham! That was the goal of a football great, not just a one-moment wonder shot like so many of the other goals nominated.
I have got to go for Veron against Arsenal. It was not only a great finish against a great team, but the build-up was superb and Arsenal were at a loss. There is no possible reason why it's not going to be Jensen's unstoppable strike against Leeds. I think Robbie Keane's goal against Leeds has got to be a contender for goal of the season as it's different class. Without a doubt it has to be Shearer's goal against Everton and no one can argue that. So far this season we've been spoilt for choice. For a glorious strike it has to be Shearer's stunning volley v Everton. But for individual effort, Henry's jinking run v Spurs from inside his own half was fantastic. The best goal has to be Wayne Rooney's effort against Arsenal at Highbury. A goal like that for a 16-year-old was truly amazing. The technique he used to bring the ball under control and then strike the ball in the way he did was just world class. Goal of the season has to be Jermaine Jenas' wonderful strike against West Ham. It was a picture of a goal! Muzzy Izzet's overhead kick against Grimsby. Maybe it was only the Nationwide but the goal was class!
Niclas Jensen's was the best. It looked good on TV but even better from where I was sat in the Kippax. The ball was heading towards the post at first, but the curl brought it back towards the net. Fantastic. Has to be Shearer's volley against Everton. Technique, power and accuracy - superb. The man is just incredible and still the best English striker by a long way. Henry's goal against Tottenham has got to stand out as the goal of the season thus far. The Frenchman exhibited pace, power, presence of mind and, above all, elegance. What more would you want from a striker? What more would you need for goal of the season? Rooney's was a classic, and so was Jensen's volley, but for the finest example of a striker's art it has to be Shearer's howitzer v Everton - to hit a ball dropping from such a height so sweetly is just unbelievable. Jenas' shot yesterday was not far off mind, particularly considering that he was using his 'weaker' foot. I hate to say it but I don't think Rooney's goal was good against Arsenal - it was lob and everyone knows that Seaman can't catch lobs. But elsewhere I would say Defoe's goal was good yesterday as was Jenas'. However, the award should go to Shearer for that stunning volley. No bounce, no waiting, no thinking about it, just sheer skill coming from the feet of one of the best striker's of the last decade. Goal of the season for me is Phil Jagielka's magnificent 35-yard injury-time equaliser for Sheffield United against Leeds in the Worthington Cup. There are no better circumstances for a screamer than that!
Has to be Jensen's goal for Man City against Leeds. I'm a Man U fan but I've got to admit, I looked twice at that one. Another great was Beckham's goal against Portsmouth. Right hand corner of the box, curled into the top left corner. Niclas Jensen, Man City v Leeds. One of the best goals I have ever seen, from the build-up play by Anelka to the stunning finish. A classic. The best goal of the season so far has to be Wayne Rooney's goal against Arsenal. That was superb. There was two great free kicks this year. One from Hamman the other from Shearer, absolute rockets. Shearer's volley against Everton as got to be the pick of the bunch though. Goal of the season has to be Veron's own goal against Sunderland! It's got to be Alan Shearer's 20 something yards stunning volley against Everton. No world class goalkeeper, past or present, could have made the save. Shearer's goal against Everton gets better every time I see it. The power and accuracy on that shot were phenomenal. Jensen's goal yesterday was also right up there. Goal of the season was Manchester City's magnificent third against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Had the goal been scored by Real Madrid, Brazil or even Man Utd then everyone would have raved, instead it barely raised a mention. A brilliant sand wedge flick with the outside of his boot from Anelka, a flying, backwards, glancing header from Berkovic and then a 360 degree turn on a sixpence from Goater before smashing the half volley with his back to goal pinpoint into the corner. The Goat well and truly fed! The best goals I've seen so far are Beckham's goals after his injury. Wonderful goals, especially the one against Birmingham. Another beautiful goal was Henry's superb run and shot against Tottenham. | |
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Gary McAllister's 30-yard volley against Derby
