About this goal
Pires lobs the ball over George Boateng then flicks over the head of the towering Peter Schmeichel, leaving him grasping at air.
Ratings
Aesthetically Pleasing 30/30
After the first lob it would be so easy for Pires to put his foot through it, but to caress it over a goalkeeper the size of Schmeichel is sublime.
Technical Difficulty 30/30
As about a difficult a goal to score as is possible. Impeccable technique required.
Uniqueness 19/20
Precious few examples of goals like this being scored in the Premier League. Ian Wright?
Importance 8/10
Clinching goal in an away win against Aston Villa.
Standard of Opposition 7/10
Aston Villa
FootballCritic Verdict
Pires was at his peak at this point, scoring a goal only an elite selection of players would attempt, let alone achieve.
Goal video
More Great Goals of Premier League
| Rank | Name | Date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Thierry Henry | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
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Henry holds off the challenge of Denis Irwin to flick the ball up for himself, spin, and launch an improbable volley over the helpless Fabien Barthez.
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| 2 |
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Dennis Bergkamp | Mar 2, 2002 | ||
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Bergkamp receives the ball to feet and, in the one movement, spins round the defender, goes the other way, then finishes with the opposite foot into the corner.
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| 3 |
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Andros Townsend | Dec 22, 2018 | ||
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A loose header drops to Townsend at the edge of the box and he catches his volley with impeccable technique, lashing in off the crossbar from fully 30 yards.
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| 4 |
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Robin van Persie | Apr 22, 2013 | ||
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Van Persie connects with a raking Wayne Rooney pass with a spectacular first-time volley into the corner.
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| 5 |
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Robert Pires | Mar 17, 2002 | ||
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Pires lobs the ball over George Boateng then flicks over the head of the towering Peter Schmeichel, leaving him grasping at air.
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| 6 |
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Matt Le Tissier | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
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Each touch is better than the last from Le Tissier, who juggles the ball into the penalty area, including over a defender, before dispatching into the corner.
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| 7 |
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Eden Hazard | May 2, 2016 | ||
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Hazard runs from halfway, skipping past Spurs challenges before exchanging passes with Diego Costa and curling his shot first time into the top corner.
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| 10 |
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Dimitar Berbatov | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
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Nani whips the ball in from wide, Berbatov controls on his thigh before falling backwards to overhead kick in off the crossbar.
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