Goal of the Season Debate

"This is audacious of me."

Well, well, well – we made it through our summer withdrawal and tomorrow we will get our first fix of the Barclay’s Premier League (dubbed by many as the most prestigious league in the world). But there is something I still need to get off of my chest before I feel I can properly move on. Last season was spectacular and full of drama (as ever), and a league with world-class players will always produce world-class goals. The unlikely winner of last year’s ‘Goal of the Season’ was ex-Portsmouth and Liverpool’s new right-back Glen Johnson, with this beautiful chest to volley that left Hull keeper Myhill rooted “ficus-tree-like”. But I disagree.

“How, Matt!? What could be better than that?” you may be asking. While the technical form is tremendous, the courage to take it on spectacular, and the result inch-perfect, it was a game between Portsmouth and Hull. In harsher words: who cares? It wasn’t a goal that gave three points to avoid relegation, it simply had no impact other than an average 2-1 victory. In my eyes, that can’t be goal of the year material, despite it’s quality.

"Oh My Word..."

So, instead, here are two goals (involving four of the top six sides) that should have been considered for the year’s best. United’s Sir Alex Ferguson once again proved his worth by pulling 17-year-old Federico Macheda up from the reserve squad for United v. Aston Villa (note: defending champs vs. a side pushing the big four) in early April, a crucial time in the season. Macheda had never played with the first team and his call-up kept him from going to play for the U-20 Italian national squad; but then Fergie went on and had the guts to sub him in. United led at home through Ronaldo early on before Villa responded with two of their own, before Ronaldo scored late on, or so it seemed at the time. But in the 93rd minute, tied at two, Macheda took a pass just inside the box, turned brilliantly and lashed the ball behind Freidel to win the game, send the crowd into pure ecstasy, and give United a vital two extra points. The boy had some nerve. A great contender, but still not my goal of the season.

FOUR!?!

Nope. For my goal of the season, I take you to Anfield, Liverpool – one of the hardest stadiums to go into and leave with any result at all. Scoring a goal there is a dream come true, but four in your first ever trip to Anfield is downright stupid – unthinkable – worth some sort of medal. It was Liverpool v. Arsenal, a titanic match-up in late April with plenty of title implications. For the Reds, drop points and risk losing the title right then and there. For the Gunners, get something from the game to ensure Champions League next year. Step up, Andrey Arshavin. It wasn’t his first three, all of which were decent enough on their own, but his fourth and final goal that is my ‘Goal of the Season’. On the verge of stoppage time, tied at three, and with everyone back to defend a Liverpool corner, Arsenal countered like only Arsenal can. It popped out to Theo Walcott…and he can shift! As he took off with the ball down to the other end, Arshavin made up roughly 90 yards to give support (just popping suddenly into picture), receives the ball with a good first touch, and then has the concentration to bury it with his weaker left foot. Having already netted three and playing 90 minutes at a frantic pace, he kept his cool and his concentration and denied Liverpool a chance at three points. I know that is what they get paid so generously to do, but let’s be real and say not many would or could. It might not look like much at first and no one may agree with me, but Arshavin wins my ‘Goal of the Season’.

No Caption Necessary

But what do you think? Leave me a comment with your choice for ‘Goal of the Season’. Oh, and this is bold, but I think it will be Chelsea’s Didier Drogba who gets it this upcoming season – just my prediction.

Thanks, Matt

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