About this goal
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.
Ratings
Aesthetically Pleasing 30/30
Volleys very rarely get better than this. Hypnotic, brutal, brilliant.
Technical Difficulty 30/30
The technique required to time the strike to perfection and get it under the crossbar is infinitely difficult, from a player notorious for long-range goals.
Uniqueness 18/20
Hit with such ferocity, it is in the very highest echelon of volleys - four goalkeepers wouldn't save it.
Importance 8/10
Put Palace on the road to a pivotal victory against City.
Standard of Opposition 10/10
Manchester City
FootballCritic Verdict
One of the all-time best volleys ever scored, at any level. Pace, accuracy, technique. It's special.
Goal video
Goal scorer
Andros Townsend
Attacking Midfielder (Centre),Attacking Midfielder (Right),Forward (Right),Defensive Midfielder (Right),Midfielder (Right)
More Great Goals of Premier League
| Rank | Name | Date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
Thierry Henry | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
|
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.
Goal type:
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| 2 |
|
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 |
|
Andros Townsend | Dec 22, 2018 | ||
|
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.
Goal type:
Volley Watch video |
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| 4 |
 |
Robin van Persie | Apr 22, 2013 | ||
|
Van Persie connects with a raking Wayne Rooney pass with a spectacular first-time volley into the corner.
Goal type:
Volley Watch video |
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| 5 |
|
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.
Goal type:
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| 6 |
|
Matt Le Tissier | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
|
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.
Goal type:
Individual Watch video |
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