Ranking the Top 10 Contenders for Premier League Goal of the Season...So Far
One thing that became abundantly clear while researching this article is that there has been a lot of very good goals scored in the Premier League since the campaign began.
Bangers, thunderbolts, pearlers, wonder strikes, what-a-hit sons... whatever you want to call them. We do not envy whoever has to decide the winner of goal of of the season this term.
In fact, we felt so bad we decided to try and help them out. So here it goes, the top ten best goals scored in the Premier League this season...well, so far anyway.
10) N'Golo Kante vs Liverpool
N'Golo Kante marked his return from injury in style against Liverpool back in September with a fine solo goal.
Picking the ball up 30 yards out, the Frenchman gave Fabinho the run around and drove towards the 18-yard line before placing it in the top corner to gift his side a lifeline. Maybe Maurizio Sarri was right all along about his attacking potential?
Feast your eyes on this fine finish here.
.9) Harvey Barnes vs Sheffield United
There's no mystery around what makes this goal so appealing. Sometimes it's just really satisfying to see someone kick a football really, really, really hard into the goal hole.
Meeting it on the half-volley, Harvey Barnes absolutely leathered the ball past Dean Henderson - who didn't even have time to move before the net was bulging. He must have a foot like a traction engine!
Watch Barnes' thunderbolt here.
8) Fikayo Tomori vs Wolves
Can somebody ring Fikayo Tomori and tell him that centre-backs aren't supposed to score goals this good?
Latching onto a loose ball 30 yards from goal, Tomori somehow managed to whip it past Rui Patricio. Not a bad way to open your Chelsea scoring account. Fair play.
Relieve Tomori's first strike here.
7) Fabinho vs Manchester City
Before Liverpool had racked up a 1000-point lead at the summit of the Premier League table, the Reds hosted title rivals Manchester City. It proved to be a season defining contest.
Just six minutes in Fabinho gave his side the perfect start by arrowing in from 25 yards. The flight of the ball was straight and true. Claudio Bravo had absolutely no chance.
Re-watch it here.
6) Matej Vydra vs Southampton
Championship star but Premier League plodder, Matej Vydra barely gets on the pitch these days, let alone scores a goal.
That made it quite a memorable sight when he turned into Marco van Basten against Southampton in February. Receiving a long ball, Vydra chested it down, span, touched it deftly over Yann Valery's clumsy challenge, before leathering into the back of the net.
Watch this season's most surprising goal here.
5) Moussa Djenepo vs Sheffield United
Moussa Djenepo's goal was a timely reminder of the virtues of determination, mixed in with a bit of magic.
Despite suffering a near-assault from Oliver Norwood, Djenepo stayed on his feet and went on to beat two Blades defenders before slipping the ball home.
Watch this triumph against adversity here.
4) Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Things haven't worked out for Alireza Jahanbakhsh since arriving at Brighton for a club record fee at the beginning of last season.
However, no matter what happens during the rest of his Seagulls career, it is unlikely to top the overhead kick he netted against Chelsea on New Year's Day.
The goal clearly meant a great deal to the Iranian, but as he scored it passed Kepa - who is, of course, rubbish at football - he does not quite make our top three.
Nevertheless, you should go re-watch the goal over and over here.
3) Kevin de Bruyne vs Newcastle
Everything about this goal is just...perfect.
The suspense as the ball bobbles out to a prowling Kevin de Bruyne on the edge of the box. The cultured chest down. And of course, the absolute banger unleashed by the Belgian to give City the lead.
Extra points for it rattling the bar as it flew in.
Watch the magic - and Jonjo Shelvey's not quite as good strike - here.
2) Jordan Ayew vs West Ham
When this goal went in, I genuinely started laughing. It was just so absurd that Jordan Ayew would be capable of something this ridiculous.
Resembling a member of the Bolshoi Ballet, the forward pirouetted his way round the West Ham defence before lofting the ball over Roberto with an arrogance normally reserved for the footballing elite.
See if it makes you laugh by watching the goal here.
1) Heung-min Son vs Burnley
Moments like this make you realise why 90min's Sean Walsh recently proclaimed that Son Heung-min is now a better player than Harry Kane...
In a matter of seconds, the South Korean managed to carry the ball from his own penalty area...into the opposition half...past the swarms of claret and blue shirts trying to mow him down...into the Burnley box...before sliding it past Nick Pope - one of the best one-on-one stoppers around.
Barring a minor miracle when the season restarts, Son deserves to receive the goal of the season award. It will likely be the only honour anyone connected with Spurs will be scooping at the end of the campaign.
Watch Son's incredible run here.
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