About this goal
Van Persie connects with a raking Wayne Rooney pass with a spectacular first-time volley into the corner.
Ratings
Aesthetically Pleasing 30/30
The pass, the connection, the finish... it's a perfect goal.
Technical Difficulty 30/30
The pass is on a sixpence, then to follow the flight and connect perfectly... it's all-round awesome.
Uniqueness 19/20
The distance the ball travels, to then control the volley like that, just utterly brilliant - though Shaun Bartlett did it too.
Importance 10/10
The second goal in a win that would clinch United the title, and also part of a hat-trick.
Standard of Opposition 6/10
Aston Villa
FootballCritic Verdict
It's the goal of the 2012-13 season by a monumental distance.
Goal video
More Great Goals of Premier League
| Rank | Name | Date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
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 |
 |
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.
Goal type:
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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 |
|||||
| 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.
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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.
Goal type:
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| 7 |
 |
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.
Goal type:
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