Olivier Giroud scorpion kick goal: Was it the best Premier League goal ever? Our reporters give their verdict
SunSport writers roll back the years as they look at the best goals ever to be scored in the Premier League
OLIVIER GIROUD’S sublime scorpion goal against Crystal Palace was hailed as a “work of art” by Arsene Wenger.
But was it the best goal the Prem has ever seen?
SunSport columnist Ian Wright said: “A sense of deja vu watching Olivier Giroud score his outrageous ‘Scorpion goal’ against Crystal Palace. It brought back memories of seeing my old Palace team-mate Andy Gray score one in training back in the late 1980s.
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As amazing as they are, they are accidental of course. Like Giroud, Andy had got too far ahead of the ball and stuck his leg out as a last resort.
“Anyone who says they meant a goal like that is fibbing. I’d plump for Dennis Bergkamp’s flick and turn goal as my favourite by an Arsenal player but Olivier’s is a close second.”
We asked SunSport’s team of star writers to select their greatest Prem goal . . .
ANDY DILLON
DENNIS BERGKAMP Newcastle v Arsenal, March 2002
The balance of his turn and calm finish shows skill over power. He also starts the move outside his own area. Plus, unlike Olivier Giroud, he meant it.
MARK IRWIN
The goal of a lifetime from a football god. Bergkamp receives the ball with his back to goal and flicks it past Nikos Dabizas, pirouettes the other way around the defender before stroking his shot beyond keeper Shay Given. Two touches, one moment of pure genius.
DAN KING
Despite watching it dozens of times, I still don’t understand what Bergkamp did — and I’m sure Dabizas doesn’t. But that is the magic of it. Like Giroud’s goal, it was genius.
PAUL JIGGINS
GARETH BALE West Ham v Tottenham, Feb 2013
It has to be Welsh wonder Gareth Bale’s stunning late strike that gave Spurs a 3-2 victory at West Ham.
But my favourite of all time is Jamie Moralee’s first-minute effort for Millwall at West Ham in March 1993. See a trend?
MARTIN BLACKBURN
MATT LE TISSIER Blackburn v Southampton, Dec 1994
I was lucky enough to be there — but I never tire of seeing it again. Great skill to create the chance and then a chip out of the top drawer. The fact the keeper he beat was his big mate Tim Flowers made it more special.
PHIL THOMAS
STEVE BRUCE Man Utd v Sheff Wed, Apr 1993
This gets my vote for the enormity of what it meant. It was the day when all United fans realised the 26-year wait for a title was going to end.
ANTONY KASTRINAKIS
ROBIN VAN PERSIE Charlton v Arsenal, Sep 2006
The Flying Dutchman took off to meet Emmanuel Eboue’s cross on the edge of the box and volley it into the top corner. It has stood the test of time.
CHARLIE WYETT
JACK WILSHERE Arsenal v Norwich, October 2013
The best goals, for me, involve team-work rather than just spectacular strikes. Wilshere started and finished the one-touch move which ripped through Norwich.
NEIL ASHTON
WAYNE ROONEY Man Utd v Newcastle, April 2005
He was at war with everyone, including ref Neale Barry, when he volleyed a spectacular equaliser just moments before he was about to be substituted.
DAVID COVERDALE
PAJTIM KASAMI Fulham v C Palace, Oct 2013
The Swiss midfielder chested down a long ball and smashed it into the back of the net all in the same movement, without the ball bouncing.
VIKKI ORVICE
DAVID BECKHAM Wimbledon v Man Utd, Aug 1996
The 21-year-old’s stunning effort from the halfway line remains one of the best of his career and put him on the road to superstardom.