Sports
New Study Ranks 10 Greatest Goals in Premier League History
So far, the 34 seasons of the Premier League have produced well over 30,000 goals, and narrowing that down to the 10 greatest is a tall order by any measure. They come in all shapes and sizes: spellbinding solo runs, gravity-defying acrobatics, long-range thunderbolts, and so much more.
But it’s not just how a goal is scored that matters – context can be everything. Relegation-saving strikes and title-winning moments of high drama add extra weight, turning great goals into ones that live long in the memory. Whittling down the very best would take months of debate, so thankfully a study by OLBG has done the heavy lifting.
Using a mathematical model, the scoring system awarded points for technical brilliance (up to 35 per cent of the total score), difficulty (25 per cent), context (25 per cent), impact on the result (15 per cent), and the moment itself (five per cent). Each goal was given a maximum score of 1,000, with the results detailed below.
10 Greatest Goals in Football History [Ranked]
Gareth Bale’s iconic bicycle kick in the 2018 Champions League final only ranks fourth among the greatest goals in football history.
10
Erik Lamela vs Arsenal, 2021
North London Derby Rabona
When asked what makes a goal truly amazing, supporters placed technique (38 per cent) firmly at the top of the list, according to The Sun. With that in mind, Erik Lamela’s gutsy decision to escape a congested box with a rabona flick that nestled into the bottom-right corner against Arsenal would rank highly in any fan-curated list of the greatest Premier League goals of all time. Watch the goal below:
Nutmegging a dumbfounded Thomas Partey on its way in, the strike later won Goal of the Month and the 2021 Puskas Award. Context, however, is king, and with Lamela sent off later in a match Tottenham went on to lose, the study stopped short of placing it any higher than 10th.
9
Robin van Persie vs Aston Villa, 2013
Volley during a first-half hat trick
Robin van Persie became the epitome of the Flying Dutchman during his time in England, and there was no shortage of examples of him manipulating the ball in mid-air to produce stunning, highlight-reel moments. According to the study, none were better than the volley he smashed into the back of the net at Villa Park, a strike that set him on his way to a first-half hat trick.
Van Persie and Wayne Rooney shared a near-telepathic understanding at Manchester United, and the latter’s simple decision to clip the ball over the defence was all it took for the Dutchman to do the rest. No touches were required – his volleyed finish was pure poetry, with technique second to none.
8
Alejandro Garnacho vs Everton, 2023
Bicycle kick at Goodison Park
He may not have enjoyed the same success at Old Trafford as the previous entry on this list, but Alejandro Garnacho’s bicycle kick against Everton in 2023 proved he had it in him to produce moments that would leave even his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, wide-eyed. It’s one of those strikes that gets better with every viewing – the kind that makes you fall in love with the game all over again.
Reminiscent of another goal ranked even higher, the 19-year-old rose above everyone to meet Diogo Dalot’s ambitious delivery, contorting his body to its absolute limit to produce a truly world-beating bicycle kick. From every angle, it leaves you wondering how he managed to rise so high, even if critics like to downplay it as the ball appears to come off his shin instead of his boot.
7
Emre Can vs Watford, 2017
Back-pedalling overhead kick
Emre Can was hardly a prolific goalscorer during his time at Anfield – scoring, on average, once every 12 matches – but his overhead kick in May 2017 was magnificent. This goal was pretty unique based on the fact that the German midfielder was actually expecting the ball to be ahead of him as he ran into the Watford penalty area when the ball was delivered to him.
As a result of the ball not quite completing its full flight path, he only had a split second to adjust his body to be in the right place, so he could meet the ball with a perfect bicycle kick that flew past Hornets’ goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. It would prove to be the only goal in a crucial win for Liverpool’s top-four aspirations.
6
Mo Salah vs Man City, 2021
Magical solo goal
Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and Aymeric Laporte accused of being paid actors after being left in a blur by Mohamed Salah, as Liverpool’s Egyptian King danced his way into the box with stunning ease before tucking away one of the finest solo goals in football history in October 2021.
A usually well-drilled Manchester City defence was helpless against a player at the very peak of his powers, and there is little doubt it stands as the best goal of Salah’s time with the Reds – even among the 249 others he has scored. The finish alone, in off the post from a tight angle, was sheer brilliance, but it’s everything that came in the buildup that gets all the deserved revelry. Watch the goal below:
5
David Beckham vs Wimbledon, 1996
Halfway line goal
The ball hadn’t even crossed the halfway line when a 21-year-old David Beckham glanced up, spotted Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan off his line, and floated an effort over him into the back of the net. “Golden Balls” could pass or shoot from anywhere on the pitch, such was the power and precision of his right wand.
Even to this day, that audacious strike remains one of the most famous and instantly recognisable goals ever scored. Eric Cantona was never a man of many words, but Beckham later revealed that even he came over to congratulate him in the dressing room – a moment that felt like the true birth of a player who would go on to see and win it all with the Red Devils.
4
Vincent Kompany vs Leicester City, 2019
A long-range rocket guides Man City to league title
“Where do you want your statue, Vincent Kompany?!” were the immortal words exclaimed by Gary Neville as the Manchester City captain powered a long-range shot into the top-right corner of Leicester City’s goal. So late in the contest, the centre-back took it upon himself to break the resistance of the Foxes, his last-gasp thunderbolt sending Pep Guardiola’s side top of the table heading into the final day of the season.
Had the effort ended up in Row Z, the reaction would have been very different. Instead, Kompany caught lightning in a bottle with a goal that rated 900/1000 on the scoring system, cementing his place as the club’s greatest-ever defender.
3
Thierry Henry vs Man United, 2000
Flick and volley
Football – FA Barclaycard Premiership – Arsenal v Southampton – 10/2/04 Arsenal’s Thierry Henry celebrates after scoring his first goal against Southampton. This was his 100th Premier League goal for Arsenal Mandatory Credit : Action Images / Alex Morton Livepic
Thierry Henry is widely considered the greatest player in Premier League history today. Back in 2000, however, his reign as the league’s ultimate entertainer was still in its infancy – but even then, he knew exactly how good he was. Receiving the ball with his back to goal against title rivals Manchester United, the Frenchman flicked it up and unleashed a stunning volley on the turn, sending Highbury into dreamland.
Asked about the goal years later, he said: “My goal vs Man United. So many people ask ‘why did you do that?’ – cause I knew at Highbury I could do what the f*ck I wanted.” He struck the ball so sweetly that he must have known it would go on to score 905 points as soon as it left his foot.
2
Dennis Bergkamp vs Newcastle, 2002
Neat spin and finish
From one Gunner to another, the Arsenal sides of the early 2000s showcased football in its purest form, with Dennis Bergkamp, more than most, epitomising technical brilliance. That was on full display in March 2002, when he deftly flicked the ball around defender Nikos Dabizas, pirouetted past him, and showed the composure to finish the move against Newcastle.
Almost weekly, a new clip of the goal – often set to a different piano-based soundtrack – goes viral on social media (watch below). It’s so good that even non-football fans would likely take just as much from it as those completely infatuated with the game.
1
Wayne Rooney vs Man City, 2011
Gravity-defying overhead kick in Manchester derby
Wayne Rooney’s iconic bicycle kick against Manchester City in 2011 hit 970 on the scoring system, just 30 shy of perfection. With the ball whipped into the City box from a Nani cross, the Englishman adjusted brilliantly and fired home in the 77th minute to make it 2-1 to United and prove that the Cityzens were, at the time, still nothing more than United’s little brother.
It also won the official Premier League’s Best Goal of the first 20 seasons of the competition, and for good reason. Rooney was a man for the big occasion, and a player of his ilk is definitely missed in Ruben Amorim’s current squad. See the 10 best Premier League goals according to fans below:
|
10 Best Premier League Goals – According to fans |
|
|---|---|
|
Rank |
Goal |
|
10. |
Alan Shearer – power strike vs Everton, 2002 |
|
9. |
Eric Cantona – chip vs Sunderland, 1996 |
|
8. |
Mo Salah – solo goal vs Everton, 2017 |
|
7. |
Wayne Rooney – volley vs Newcastle, 2005 |
|
6. |
Mo Salah – solo goal vs Man City, 2021 |
|
5. |
Thierry Henry – flick and volley vs Man United, 2000 |
|
4. |
Dennis Bergkamp – spin and finish vs Newcastle, 2002 |
|
3. |
Cristiano Ronaldo – free-kick vs Portsmouth, 2008 |
|
2. |
Wayne Rooney – bicycle kick vs Man City, 2011 |
|
1. |
David Beckham – halfway line vs Wimbledon, 1996 |
Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup story looks to be over after Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16.
Billed as a meeting of the titans, this wasn’t a match you’ll be seeing on FIFA’s highlight reels anytime soon. A cagey affair came to life late on when Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored a 90+1st-minute winner.
Ronaldo couldn’t lead his team to victory over the reigning European champions, and it now looks likely he’ll retire from international football. The 41-year-old failed to impress at Dallas Stadium, but he’s not the player many are blaming for the Portuguese making an early exit.
Portugal 0-1 Spain: Silva Stutters in Dallas
A dull encounter suddenly came to life when Ferran Torres played Merino through on goal, and he calmly slotted past Diogo Costa. The Spanish weren’t at their best, but they were the better side on the night.
Ronaldo and Co pushed for a last-gasp equaliser in stoppage time, only for Bernardo Silva to waste a golden opportunity. A dangerous cross from Francisco Conceição found the former Manchester City attacker, but he headed over Unai Simon’s bar.
Silva’s frustrations boiled over, and the Real Madrid new boy exchanged words with ex-City teammate Rodri after his miss. The 31-year-old came on late in the game and failed to come up trumps.
For Portugal, it’s another World Cup that’s gone begging, and a new era may be starting if Ronaldo announces his international retirement as expected. The old guard are starting to fade out, and that might even include Silva, whose reduced minutes during the tournament speak volumes.
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Fans Blame Silva For Portugal Exit
Silva has been vital for Portugal over the years, earning 113 caps and starring for his country, albeit without major trophy success. Two Nations League wins are the only winners’ medals he has to show, and given their star-studded squad, that’s probably a failure.
Some felt Martinez’s men were among the favourites ahead of the World Cup, based on their midfield. They never looked like they would win the competition, and tonight’s loss to Spain highlighted many issues.
Silva’s late cameo appearance didn’t go down well with fans who felt he cost his side. One fan wrote: “Bernardo Silva Costa Portugal a last 8 space…..awful performance!”
Another supporter called him: “Bernardo Silva is the worst substitute in football history. He cost Portugal the tournament with just a few minutes after coming on.”
One gave a brutal assessment: “Bernardo Silva lost the game for Portugal disgraceful from the minute he went in.”
The ex-City man’s scrappy outing didn’t go unnoticed: “Bernardo Silva has just cost Portugal with his silly fouls.”
Another replied: “Bernardo Silva went to fund Portugal, lost his head and failed to find his origin in Spain.”
One fan said: “Bernardo Silva came on just to kick people, got a yellow card, give away free kicks which they conceded from, and cost his country and Ronaldo their World Cup dreams.”
This was echoed by another: “Yikes what a dreadful cameo from Bernardo Silva.”
World Cup: Belgium Have Plan For What They Will Do if Folarin Balogun Plays for US
The USA striker is available after FIFA controversy.
Silva will now focus on a new challenge in Madrid after joining the La Liga giants as a free agent following his departure from City. The veteran playmaker enjoyed a trophy-laden career at the Etihad and bid farewell with legendary manager Pep Guardiola.
The inquest into Brazil’s shortcomings at the 2026 World Cup is already well underway, less than 24 hours after crashing out against Norway in the Round of 16.
Erling Haaland rose highest to head home the opener before smashing in a second to put the Europeans out of sight. Neymar ended his international career with a consolation penalty, but wasn’t able to prevent his country from being eliminated with a whimper.
So now the questions will inevitably come. Who was to blame for the ultimate failure on the biggest stage in world football? Was it Neymar himself? Carlo Ancelotti? Vinicius Junior? Gabriel Magalhaes?
Back home in South America, there was very little left to the imagination when it came to who was in the firing line. Ancelotti, a five-time Champions League-winning coach, has had to take the majority of the heavy criticism.
Despite the consensus from some that Neymar didn’t deserve his place in the squad, Vinicius Junior shied away from a vital penalty vs Norway and Gabriel was manhandled by Haaland, the blame lies at the door of the manager.
A Brazilian columnist for UOL (per Mail Sport) explained the manager bowed to public pressure, writing: “In the final substitution, by bringing on Endrick and Neymar for the wingers, pandering to popular demand, he ruined the team. It wasn’t Neymar who died embracing Ancelotti, but Ancelotti who died embracing Neymar.”
Another reporter went on to add that it was the ‘worst performance of Ancelotti’s career with a top-level team’. They continued: “Carlo Ancelotti made the changes that ultimately ruined Brazil, especially with the introduction of Neymar.”
The Italian’s decision to call up an injury-prone 34-year-old ahead of Chelsea’s Joao Pedro appears to be a big point of contention at this summer’s tournament.
Another journalist, working for the same publication, labelled the performance of the Selecao as ‘cowardly’ and shameful. They wrote:
“Brazil: ‘Small, Cowardly, Dominated, Ridiculous, Shameful’.
“Neymar’s call-up is a scandal. This Brazil is not the Brazil of the people. It is the Brazil of power. An absolutely despicable and individualistic Brazil.”
Ronaldo Calls Out Ancelotti’s Mistakes
It’s not just the press who are pointing the finger at the coach. One of Brazil’s greatest-ever players, Ronaldo Nazario, has also claimed Ancelotti’s many ‘mistakes’ vs Norway ultimately cost the team.Marca
While he’s very complimentary of his old boss, who is ‘one of the best coaches in the history of football’, R9 cited his exclusion of Joao Pedro as a baffling call. He said (per Marca):
“I have to be honest, I think this elimination begins with the decisions from the bench. Carlo Ancelotti is one of the best coaches in the history of football, but tonight he made too many mistakes.
“I still don’t understand why Joao Pedro was not part of this squad. He has had an exceptional season, he is in form, and Brazil needed a striker who could offer something different.”
He then pointed at the decision to restrict exciting youngster Endrick to sitting on the bench for the majority of the tournament. The two-time World Cup winner couldn’t ‘understand’ that call.
He concluded: “Then you look at Endrick. Every time he came on in this tournament, he brought energy, aggression and unpredictability. However, he spent most of the World Cup sitting on the bench. I don’t understand that.”
The Folarin Balogun controversy continues to take twists and turns, and the Belgian FA have now decided how they will respond if the USA striker plays in tonight’s game.
USA meet Belgium in the last 16 of the World Cup at 8 pm local time (1 am in the UK) at Seattle Stadium. All the noise heading into the game is about Balogun, who FIFA have allowed to play after suspending a one-match ban.
Balogun received his marching orders in the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. FIFA have used Article 27 to suspend the AS Monaco striker’s red card for one year, meaning he’s available for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
The Belgian FA failed in its appeal against the decision after FIFA declared it “inadmissible.” Given the outrage that has ensued throughout the saga, some think the USA would be wise not to play their top-scoring frontman.
Belgian FA Decide to Take Action if Balogun Plays
If Pochettino does opt to play Balogun in the Round of 16 meeting, it won’t be the end of the drama surrounding the former Arsenal star. Belgium will play against the USA, but their participation is “subject to reservation.”
According to Belgian outlet HLN, the Belgian FA intend to file an official complaint with FIFA if Balogun takes part in the match. They stated: “If Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was suddenly suspended by FIFA following his red card, takes part in the match, the KBVB will file an official complaint with FIFA. The football association considers Balogun to be an ineligible player. It has, moreover, also personally conveyed this message to the American football association.”
Should Rudi Garcia’s side lose to a USA team that fields Balogun, the KBVB “can go to a FIFA judge to challenge the result and demand compensation.” That complaint is expected to be dismissed by the FIFA judge because he’d have to rule against his own organisation.
The Belgian FA can also turn to independent bodies, including a civil court or the International Court of Arbitration for Sport, and seek compensation. The Red Devils’ manager Garcia said in his pre-match press conference that his country are now “defending football” and not just the national team or federation.
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s sending off. Infantino responded to the situation and admitted that, while he had discussions with Trump, they had no influence on FIFA’s decision to suspend the suspension.
Pochettino Hints at Balogun Playing
USA manager Pochettino has already made his feelings known about the situation. The Argentine was adamant that Balogun shouldn’t have been sent off after unintentionally landing on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s calf.
Pochettino addressed the backlash ahead of the game by defending his team. He told reporters:
“For me, there isn’t much debate here, though I do understand Belgium’s perspective and Rudi’s point of view. I understand why people conflate issues — people always do, because there’s often an agenda to mix things up — but in this case, I don’t think it’s right.”
The former Tottenham Hotspur boss added: “If anyone was harmed in this whole situation, it was the United States. Can anyone justify the idea that we weren’t punished? I mean, playing 30 or 35 minutes a man down in a World Cup knockout match? It’s not as if we’re benefiting. No, no. There’s no extraordinary gain we’re getting out of all this. I mean, ultimately, we aren’t victims, but we aren’t the villains of this story either.”
Balogun has been one of the USA’s most important players at the World Cup thus far, finding the net three times in as many games. He scored in the win against Bosnia and looks likely to lead the line from the off in Seattle.
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