10 favourite goals - off the top of my head

The following is a list of ten of my favourite goals. Obviously some of the choices are here because of pure favouritism. Also, I've avoided making the list definitive because other goals could, and let's face it will, pop into my head after, anyway enjoy:




Steven Gerrard (Liverpool vs West Ham, 2006)

A superb strike from a superb player (this year not included). Just when one of the biggest upsets in the final of the FA Cup, up steps Gerrard in the 92nd minute with a wonder strike from all of 30 yards.



Esteben Cambiasso (Argentina vs Serbia, 2006)

Simply put, one of the greatest team goal I have ever seen. A free-flowing move that lasts nearly 30 passes, highlighting the fantastic movement off the ball by the Argentine team and the comfort in possession of the ball. Cambiasso and Javier Mascherano are key men in the move; the holding midfield players touch the ball several times in the move and Cambiasso gets on the end of a marvellous move.



Lionel Messi (Barcelona vs Getafe, 2007)

One of the finest moments of the little magician's career so far. Messi picks the ball up in his own half and begins to rip the Getafe defence apart. Messi rounds four hapless defenders, goes past the keeper with consummate ease and then slots the ball home on his supposed weak foot. The link accompanying is with Spanish commentary because it just seems that bit more exciting. A fantastic solo goal from the best player on the planet.



Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City, 2006)

One of my favourite players in the world Tom Huddlestone can actually be seen sprinting here!! The goal comes from a counter-attack by Spurs which sees Dimitar Berbatov (when he was good) spreading the ball to Hossam Ghaly who picks out the on-rushing Huddlestone who shows unbelievable technique to strike a fantastic half-volley from the edge of the box.



Jason Mcateer (Republic of Ireland vs Holland, 2001)

This game will always be remembered as one of the greatest performances from an Irish side. Of course the developing story between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy would go down in history. Keane was immense on the day and began the move, breaking from midfield and giving a pass to Damien Duff. Duff then in turn opened the play to the on-rushing Finnan who put in a great cross on his bad foot and Mcateer arrived onto the ball to strike a half-volley into the far corner.



Carlos Alberto (Brazil vs Italy, 1970)

The tournament crowned one of the greatest teams to ever play the game as world champions. The final saw this goal seal the victory for the side that contained Pele and Jairzinho and the football they played is still seen as the benchmark for all teams to reach. The inspirational right-back Carlos Alberto gets on the end of an awesome team move and unleashes a fierce drive across the keeper.



Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen, 2002)

The genius known as "Zizou" showed why he was the best player in the world at his peak. In a surprisingly cagey affair, Zidane got the only goal of the game with a marvellous left-footed volley. Roberto Carlos got in behind the Leverkusen back 4 and hooked back a hopeful cross. Waiting on the edge of the box was Zidane, he waited what seemed like an eternity for the ball to drop. When it did, he rifled it past Hans-Jorg Butt.



Diego Maradonna (Argentina vs England, 1986)

Maradonna has tried his best to tarnish his reputation in recent years as arguably the best player of all time. People talk about drugs and baffling managerial decisions now bore than the genius Diego produced on the field. This goal is somewhat over-shadowed by his "hand of God" but this solo run and finish, similar to Messi's, is as Jimmy Magee puts it, different class.



Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal vs Newcastle United, 2002)

Truth be told the Dutchman could have had several here himself. The genius of Bergkamp is shown here as he takes a pass from Robert Pires and audaciously caresses the ball around Nikos Dabizas and composes himself before finishing with aplomb.



Paolo Di Canio (West Ham United vs Wimbledon, 2000)

The final goal on my list is probably the most outrageous, scored by probably the most outrageous player in Premier League history. Trevor Sinclair hits a cross-field ball towards Di Canio at the corner of the box, the Italian watches it come down and hits an absolutely sensational scissor kick volley across Neil Sullivan and into the history books as one of the best goals ever scored in the Premier League.