Picking out the top goal from several scored in 13 completed game weeks of the ongoing season is as tough as it is subjective.
I have tried our utmost to please everyone – make that almost everyone. We attempted this by picking what we think are the top three goals of the season, thus far, and then ranking them in order to decide which one was best.
So here we go with our top three goals of the season, so far, in descending order:
#3: Torres, for Liverpool against Chelsea, on Sunday, November 7, 2010
How it transpired: Languishing on the points table early in the season amid ownership disputes at Anfield, the Merseysiders needed a shot in the arm and Fernando Torres provided just that in their home game against champions Chelsea played in front of their new owners.
In a first half dominated by the Reds, in the absence of Didier Drogba, in Chelsea’s starting eleven, Dirk Kuyt returning from injury assisted Torres in putting his side ahead, in the 11th minute. With a minute to go to half-time, Torres added his second goal of the match and his seventh in eight games against the Blues. The whole sequence had a ballet-like rhythm: Cole slipping, Meireles grabbing the ball and sweeping it left to Torres, Torres turning in, Ivanovic freezing, the ball oozing past Cech into the net.
#2: Bale, for Tottenham against Stoke, on Saturday, August 21, 2010
How it transpired:Bale gave Spurs an early lead when in the 20th minute he headed the ball in from within six yards. Barely five minutes later, Ricardo Fuller’s six yard strike saw the Potters neutralise the lead.
After another five minutes had transpired, came Gale’s defining moment and arguably his coming of age as a world class player. Fed by Lennon’s clip, Bale let loose an 18-yard left-footed volley from the left of the penalty area that dipped into the top right corner of the net, a masterpiece of technical finesse.
#1: Alex, for Chelsea against Arsenal, on Sunday, October 3, 2010
How it transpired: In a game dominated by Arsenal from the start, the Drogba factor had a telling effect for Chelsea when the Ivorian striker put them ahead in the 40th minute with his 13th goal in as many matches against the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger’s squad continued to dominate ball possession but for all their fine passing, they squandered their opportunities, at goal-mouth. In top-flight football, a one-goal advantage is hard to sustain, but Arsenal’s wasted chances did not help matters, and eventually, Chelsea put the issue beyond doubt, with about five minutes of regulation time to go.
Laurent Koscielny was booked for an unfair challenge on Anelka just outside the Gunners’ area. When Alex was about to take the free-kick, Malouda was flanked by Song and Arshavin at the far end of the Arsenal wall. Even as Alex took his shot, Malouda fell behind Song and Arshavin failed to close the gap, the ball slid through and lodged itself in the far right corner of the net. Simply spectacular.