Joga Europa: The Best Goals in EPL History
Welcome to the first official installment of Joga Europa.
This week’s article is the first in a series that aims to examine and highlight football at its finest around Europe. Though football is truly the World’s beautiful game, the major countries of Europe feature the crème de la crème of soccer. The highest tier of the game in England, Spain, Italy and Germany play host to the best players and best club games in the world. We’ll start this feature off with a look at England and its best. England is the first choice for American soccer fans due to its English language broadcasts and its growing number of appearances on American televisions.
The English league, the Barclays Premier League, features the best players from England and many other countries in the world. The Premier League is the most lucrative overall league in the world and attracts players of that caliber. All of these players and the money combine to create the most competitive and best league in the world. Today, as a grand intro, we’ll look at top 10 goals in EPL history and the players behind them.
With no further ado…
No. 10 – Cristiano Ronaldo
What more can be said about one of the greatest players in the game today? The star of Real Madrid and the player with the record highest transfer fee ever paid at $130 million, Cristiano Ronaldo and his free kicks (as well as many other types of kicks) have consistently been featured in goal of the year lists. A deadly forward as well as an assassin from dead ball positions, CR7 is an icon in modern football.
No. 9 – Gustavo Poyet
Though a significantly less well-known name to younger fans today, Gustavo Poyet was one of the brightest foreign talents in the league. Poyet’s years at Chelsea from 1997 to 2000 are his best known, where he became Chelsea’s 2nd highest scorer for two years and helped them win the 1998 UEFA Super Cup.
No. 8 – Robin van Persie
With this position we return to another highly popular name in modern football. Robin van Persie has been a bright star in Arsenal’s front for years, providing many stellar goals and assists for the top-flight English team. Topping the assists tally for the 2008-2009 season for Arsenal as well as receiving Arsenal’s Goalscorer of the year award in the 06/07 and 08/09 seasons, van Persie has proven to be deadly both as a playmaker and a finisher.
No. 7 – Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp, the Dutchman whoe preceded van Persie in both stature and position at Arsenal, was an absolute icon of the game. Twice runner up for World Footballer of the Year, Bergkamp played his best years at Arsenal leading them to a league cup and championship in the 97/98 season. A master passer and support striker, Bergkamp is an icon of Dutch and Premier League football.
No. 6 – Tony Yeboah
Proving as a prime example of African players in the EPL, the Ghanaian striker is a cult hero for Leeds with his flashy goals and exuberant celebrations. One of the first and most significant African icons in the English game, Tony Yeboah will always hold a special place in EPL anthologies.
No. 5 – Matt Le Tissier
The attacking midfielder position is often the coveted one in football. It is the transcendent point guard of football, the ones who can do it all. Matt Le Tissier, known as one of the most technically gifted players in the history of the EPL, shows off his flair and creativity here scoring an absolute beauty in the box.
No. 4 – Eric Cantona
Often known for his temper as much as his skill, Cantona shows off his physical style with this almost purely self-created goal. Voted Player of the Year in the Premier League in the 93/94 season, Cantona hold iconic status at Manchester United, where he helped the team to four league titles in five years between 1992 and 1997.
No. 3 – Alan Shearer
The most stylistically English player on the list, Shearer was a physically dominant, strong tall and speedy striker who scored many of his goals like the one on this list. The current record holder for most goals in a season in the Premier League, Alan Shearer is an absolutely icon of English players in English football.
No. 2 – David Beckham
Easily the most recognizable name on this list, David Beckham scores this daring and hilarious goal from his home position of midfield early in his career. Not only was he one of the most talented English prospects ever to play the game but he is also still one of the most famous football players of all time. Twice runner up as Footballer of the Year, Beckham helped Manchester United to six league titles in ten years between 1993 and 2003.
No. 1 – Paolo Di Canio
A controversial figure more for his off the field views than his actions as a player, Di Canio provided West Ham United and England overall with one of the most entertaining goals with this volley in 2000. The striker, who currently coaches in lower levels of English football, may not have had as many moments as some of the other players on this list but surely his contributions were enough.
Honorable Mentions (or arguably other winners. You decide.)
Wayne Rooney, with his goal against Manchester City this year, seals his position as one of the greatest English strikers of all time.
Thierry Henry, another current player in the MLS, features his exceptional ball handling and football vision here with a goal for Arsenal.
Obviously not all great goals could be featured here but stay tuned for lists and results from this year’s Premier League with many more highlights to come.
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