01.16
We’ve each taken on the thankless task of identifying our five favourite volleyed goals of all time, mainly because we like spending our time in the office watching YouTube clips of amazing goals.
Here are mine…
Yeah yeah, I know all of mine are Premier League goals. I did say ‘favourite’ rather than ‘best’…
Wayne Rooney for Manchester United vs. Newcastle United (April 2005)
Quite probably my favourite of the lot. Practically impossible not to shout “boom!” as Rooney’s angry right boot connects perfectly with the rather unfortunate ball, sending it dipping and curving past the despairing leap of the Newcastle keeper. It gets better every time I see it.
Robin van Persie for Arsenal vs. Everton (December 2011)
I remember watching this game and thinking that this goal summed up the player that an injury-free run of games had finally allowed RVP to become. Both deadly and sublime. Possibly the most technically outstanding of any of the volleys I’ve chosen.
Tony Yeboah for Leeds United vs. Liverpool (August 1995)
I remember a couple of weeks after this stunner of a volley was shown on Match of the Day, our PE teacher managed to replicate it almost perfectly on the school playing fields and earned the everlasting respect of a class of mini-Kevins in the process.
Paul Scholes for Manchester United vs. Bradford City (March 2000)
There aren’t many words that do justice to this rocket that almost broke the Bradford net. There are a few that come to mind… ‘Crash!’ ‘Bang!’ and ‘Wallop!’
Alan Shearer for Newcastle United vs. Everton (January 2008)
Alan Shearer was one of my favourite strikers growing up, in spite of the annoying arm-in-the-air/expression of vacant smugness celebration. I’ll forgive him even that for this belter, though.
If you think I’ve missed something special, you’re probably wrong but leave your thoughts (and videos) in the comments section.
