On a thrilling Wednesday night at St James’ Park, Will Osula’s last-minute strike against Manchester United sent waves of euphoria through the Newcastle fans, culminating in a memorable victory. This triumphant moment also marked the first time that Michael Carrick’s tenure at United faced defeat.
Osula’s stunning goal has quickly become a strong contender for the season’s best, prompting our panel of experts to weigh in on this and other exceptional performances.
Will Osula: Newcastle 2-1 Manchester United, Premier League, March 4
CRAIG HOPE
Richarlison: Tottenham 3-0 Burnley, Premier League, August 16
Richarlison’s breathtaking volley was a standout moment in Tottenham’s commanding victory over Burnley, setting the tone for the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
The drop of the shoulder and quick feet of Mohammed Kudus to get away from Quilindschy Hartman and cross into the box, followed by Richarlison’s spectacular finish. Outstanding technique and execution from the Brazilian.
CHRIS WHEELER
It was a top volley, going away from goal, swivels to meet a Kudus cross brilliantly with what is a semi-bicycle kick. Pure connection and complete with that collective celebratory gasp from the home fans who knew exactly what they’d just witnessed.
JACK GAUGHAN
Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool 1-2 Man City, Premier League, February 8
Just everything about it. The technique to strike a free-kick that cleanly and make the ball swerve so late. There are few players, even in the Premier League, who can hit a ball like that.
The replay angle from behind Szoboszlai does it most justice. The distance of it. The sight of one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Gianluigi Donnarumma standing stock still and watching on, helpless, as it flies past him.
The meaty thud as it thumps the inside of the post before the roar that greets it a second later.
A few wondered whether it was the new Puma Premier League ball that caused it to deviate so violently but, as this writer endeavoured to find out from top-flight goalkeeping coaches and scientists with actual PHDs in testing footballs, the most likely reason is that Szoboszlai is simply one of the best in the business.
JAMES SHARPE
Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal, Premier League, August 31
The way Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick found its way past David Raya will be in highlight reels at the end of the season, no doubt.
From 30 yards out, to get the ball over the wall and dipping into the top-right corner demonstrated otherworldly technique. It’s still hard to comprehend.
The context matters, too. The game was seemingly heading for a draw, which would have been a fair result; Arsenal had dealt well with having William Saliba substituted off after just five minutes because of an injury.
It made Szoboszlai’s strike even better because of the shock factor.
ISAAN KHAN
Micky van de Ven: Tottenham v FC Copenhagen, Champions League, November 4
He picked up possession on the edge of his own box then shifted his body into sport mode. Using both feet to maintain control of the ball, he sprinted past five players until in the Copenhagen area, where he produced an assured finish of which Harry Kane would have been proud.
That was our goal of the season from any competition as far as I’m concerned.
KIERAN GILL
Alejandro Piedrahita: CSKA Sofia 1 Slavia Sofia 0, Parva Liga, February 21
I wouldn’t claim to watch much Bulgarian football but maybe we all should… I came across this goal a couple of weeks ago on social media and it’s sublime – a certainty for consideration when they get around to judging the Puskas award.
It was the winner from this Sofia derby in February, scored by Alejandro Piedrahita, and it had a bit of everything from a series of one-touch passes in the build-up to the execution of an utterly absurd finish.
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI
Estevao Willian: Chelsea 3 Barcelona 0, November 25
The Brazilian teen’s first goal in Chelsea blue – the winner against Liverpool the previous month – may have received a louder ovation from the Stamford Bridge faithful for its superb timing, but Estevao’s effort against the Spanish champions provided another level of brilliance.
Picking up his captain Reece James’ pass 30 yards out, Estevao danced past bully boys Pau Cubarsi and Alejandro Balde with the ball seemingly Pritt-sticked to his feet. The shot he unleashed into the roof of the net might have left a Looney Tunes-style hole in Joan Garcia’s gloves, had the goalkeeper had a chance of stopping it.
Not for nothing did the home fans serenade a less-than Lamine Yamal with ‘you’re just a s*** Estevao’ as he made his sorry exit to the substitutes bench.
TAMARA PRENN
David Ajiboye: Forest Green 1 Carlisle 3, National League, February 14
I’ll give my praise to Carlisle United’s David Ajiboye after he ran from the edge of his own area, skipped past four challenges, and finished with his weak left foot against Forest Green Rovers in February. It has been dubbed as a Puskas contender.
‘I’m just happy I scored,’ Ajiboye told talkSPORT. You bet he was!
LUKE POWER
Sammy Braybrooke: Colchester 4-1 Newport, League Two, December 20
Newport County’s Sammy Braybrooke takes the award for me. Goals involving neat passing and dribbling play may be nice, but there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned long-ranger – and this was about as long-range as it gets.
The midfielder’s December strike was only a consolation in a 4-1 defeat by Colchester, but what a way to mark your first professional goal. The 21-year-old intercepted a pass inside his own half, and didn’t think twice about shooting. He noticed goalkeeper Matthew Ryan Macey off his line, let fly, and watched it float over the head of Colchester’s No1 – who appeared to think the effort was going over.
Instead, it hit the crossbar and bounced over the line, triggering what was a tame celebration in the form of a few high-fives. County manager Christian Fuchs would love a few more of them this season in his side’s hunt to avoid relegation to non-League.
LEWIS BROWNING
