EPL: Ranking the 10 Best Goals of the 2010/11 Season so Far

With the lull in Premier League action over the weekend because of the FA Cup Quarterfinals, it's a great time to take a look back at the current top-flight season so far—specifically, some of the best goals to grace the back of their opponents' nets since opening day last August.  

Fans have been treated to everything from bicycle kicks to one-shot volleys to free kick situations that usually don't work anywhere outside of the training ground.  Some goals secured a vital point or were great consolations for losing efforts, while others were so devastatingly beautiful that they simply killed the opposing team's form for the rest of the match.

Before jumping in, I'd like to apologize ahead of time to Stoke City and their devoted fan base because the Potters seem to have been at the receiving end of some great goals quite a few times this season.  I'm going to nicely narrow it down to the fact that Stoke just forces the other side into being a bit more creative in order to breach their defense.

The goals are listed by match date (from the start of the season until now) because trying to decide which one is better than the other is like picking among Charlton, Law and Best. 

Why pick one when you can have them all?

Note: Click the links at the end of each slide in order to see some of these barn-burners in action.

Wolverhampton vs. Stoke City at the Molineux Stadium, August 14, 2010

We're reaching way back to the first match-day of the season for this one.  The Wolves were pretty happy to avoid relegation the previous season and David Jones' brilliant first half free kick from outside the box was a great way to celebrate the start of a new campaign.

The free kick was earned when Wolves defender Kevin Foley was brought down just outside the penalty area by an ill-timed challenge courtesy of Stoke midfielder Dean Whitehead.  Karl Henry and Jones lined up for the free kick just right of the Stoke penalty arc before opening the Wolves' Premier League campaign in style.

Henry, with his back to the Stoke net, gave the ball a quick tap towards Jones, who then proceeded to let it roll up the top of his boot before launching an astonishing volley over the Stoke wall that bounced off the right side of the Stoke goal's crossbar into the back of the net.

It was a great opening goal, which was soon followed by new Wolves striker Steven Fletcher finding the back of the net barely two minutes later.  The West Midlands went on to win the match 2-1, despite the absence of star striker Kevin Doyle.

Sadly, David Jones has struggled with injury and fitness for a good part of the season since then, accumulating only 12 appearances to go with the one spectacular goal.  The Wolves haven't fared much better since their opening day victory, currently second from the bottom in the Premier League with a record of W8-D5-L16.  Hopefully with players like David Jones and Stephen Hunt nearing full health, they can find a way to shed their spell of bad luck and avoid the drop.

Video Link: Click Here

Stoke vs. Tottenham at the Britannia Stadium, August 21, 2010

Stoke City's luck didn't get much better the following week when Tottenham's young starlet, Gareth Bale, decided to open his goal-scoring account for the season with two well-earned goals.  The second of which, makes this list.

It all started when Tottenham's Aaron Lennon made a great run towards the right side of the Stoke penalty area, but instead of taking the shot, he proceeded to cross the ball over the Stoke defenders towards the left side of the box, where Bale was wide open.  Bale proceeded to take an amazing roundhouse kick at the ball with is left which went blazing past the Stoke keeper (Thomas Sorensen) into the upper-right corner of the net.

Bale displayed incredible balance and technique to make the high, one-shot volley look like child's play.  Tottenham went onto to win the game 2-1, while Bale has since proceeded to establish himself as one of the best left-footed players in the world.  The young Welsh international has struggled with a back injury as of late, but looks to be regaining fitness just in time for Tottenham's late-season run in both Champions League and Premier League play.

Video Link: Click Here

Sunderland vs. Arsenal at the Stadium of Light, September 18, 2010

Some may say this goal was just pure luck, but most goals scored in any level of football, both amateur and professional, are about being in the right place at the right time.

Arsenal's Spanish international, Cesc Fabregas, made a point of affirming the matter by blocking an ill-timed Anton Ferdinand clearance over the Sunderland keeper (Simon Mignolet) and into the back of the Black Cats' net.

No big deal, you say? 

Well, when you take into account that the shot/block towards goal took place a good 30 or more yards from the goal line you can see why it deserves a spot on the list.  Although a complete embarrassment on Ferdinand's part, you can't understate Fabregas' hustle.  Without it, Ferdinand would've gotten away with a poor clearance and Arsenal might have left the Stadium of Light without a point to show for it.

The match ended up 1-1, due to a last gasp injury time goal courtesy of Sunderland's Darren Bent (now with Aston Villa).  A rather dour result for a match that was ripe with scoring opportunities.  Fabregas ended up leaving the match with an injured hamstring shortly after scoring his wonder goal and has been struggling with the injury for a majority of the Gunners current campaign since then. 

Video Link:  Click Here

Manchester United vs. Liverpool at Old Trafford, September 19, 2010

Dimitar Berbatov had one hell of a day at Old Trafford against bitter rivals, Liverpool.  The sullen Bulgarian striker put up an amazing hat-trick at home in what has been his best goal-scoring season since joining United from Tottenham in 2008.

His second goal was by far his best.  Nani controlled a great pass from United midfielder, Darren Fletcher, on the right side of the midfield before making a routine left-footed cross into the center of the Liverpool penalty area.

Berbatov, despite being closely marked by Liverpool's Jamie Carragher, easily controlled the lobbed cross with a quick touch of the top of his right knee before launching the ball over his left shoulder with a beautifully struck, right-footed bicycle kick.  Liverpool keeper, Pepe Reina, could do nothing but look on as the ball went flying past into the upper-right corner of the Liverpool net.

Liverpool did not bow out, though, tying the match 2-2 following Steven Gerrard's second goal of the match.  Lucky for United, though, Berbatov added the third and final goal in the last few minutes of the match to secure a 3-2 win for the Red Devils.

Berbatov has struggled to appear regularly for United as of late. Whether it's because of the goal-scoring form of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez or Ferguson's choice to rest the striker for the late season run-in of matches, it's safe to assume that Berbatov's goal-scoring antics from the season's first half will be called upon before the end of the current campaign.

Video Link: Click Here

Chelsea vs. Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, October 3, 2010

Chelsea scored a lot of goals during the first three months of the season.  However, a stunning free kick against Arsenal by Brazilian-born defender Alex was by far the most memorable. 

Chelsea earned a free kick about 25 yards out during the latter stages of the match, already up 1-0 via a first-half Didier Drogba strike.  Drogba lined up to the left of the ball, while Alex stood a ways back to the right.  Right as the whistle blew, Alex proceeded to charge at the ball and put Chelsea up 2-0 for good with a monster of a right-footed shot.

It looked like the ball was taking a straight drive for the middle of Arsenal goal, but took a vicious curve into the upper-right corner of the net. This left the Gunner keeper at the time, Lukasz Fabianski, stunned.  The goal was nearly a perfect clone of a free kick goal Alex scored the previous season against Liverpool.

The moral of the story is quite simple.  If you're an opposing squad's goalkeeper and you see Alex anywhere near that ball during a free kick situation about 25 yards out (give or take a few) be prepared to fish the ball out of the back of your side's net in the next few seconds.

Alex has struggled with a knee injury for the last few months, but is pushing to return in time for Chelsea's late season push to retain their Premier League title.  He has to push hard, though, with new arrival David Luiz looking quite comfortable alongside John Terry in Chelsea's defense at the moment.

Video Link: Click Here

Wolverhampton vs. Bolton at the Molineux Stadium, November 13, 2010

Bolton's Swedish striker, Johan Elmander, has really taken the Premier League by storm this season, especially after a disappointing first year in England the previous campaign.  His beautifully choreographed goal against Wolves backs that statement up tenfold.

American midfielder, Stuart Holden, made a strong run into the left side of the Wolves penalty area before making a tight-angled pass to Elmander near center of the box.  Elmander proceeded to hold off three Wolves defenders with some fancy footwork before turning to his right, juking another defender and slotting a nice low finish into the lower-right side of the net.

Wolverhampton's keeper at the time, Marcus Hahnemann, wasn't too happy with his defense afterwards, but he should have been angry at Elmander for making it look so easy.

The Swedish international hasn't seen the back of the net too much lately.  Elmander is seeing more time on the left side of Bolton's midfield with the arrival of mid-season arrival of Daniel Sturridge, while Ivan Klasnic and veteran Kevin Davies are the preferred strike partners for the young, on-loan Chelsea striker.

Video Link: Click Here

Arsenal vs. Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, December 4, 2010

Now this one was a tough choice, but not because of Arsenal's Samir Nasri. It's because both goals he scored against Fulham during a chilly London evening in December were spectacular.  Following a drawn out debate with oneself (it only lasted about ten seconds, actually), it was decided that the French attacker's second goal took the cake and most of the ice cream, too.

Midway through the second half, Nasri picked up the ball around the 40 yard line and played a little give and go with Dutch teammate, Robin Van Persie. 

After receiving the ball back from Van Persie near the edge of the Fulham penalty box, Nasri put on a fine dribbling display that got him past both Fulham's defensive line and goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer.

However, Nasri's fantastic run left him near the goal-line, well outside the net's near post.  With Fulham's defense rushing back to cover block an anticipated cross, Nasri, clearly gassed, turned and forced a great tight-angled shot that found its way to the back of the far-right corner of the Cottager's net.

Nasri has been the Gunner's best player this season by a mile, stepping up when Fabregas is out injured or when the usual suspects for Arsenal can't find the back of the net.  At season's end, the young Frenchman will most likely be part of the shortlist for Premier League Player of the Year.

Video Link:  Click Here

West Bromwich vs. Manchester United at the Hawthorns, January 1, 2011

Well, Gareth Bale has us covered with a beautiful left-footed volley, so it's only fair to mention West Brom's Scottish midfielder, James Morrison, and his equally spectacular right-footed volley against the league leaders at the start of the New Year.

Morrison's lovely volley started with a long ball sent up towards the top of the United penalty box.  Despite being literally blanketed by United's Nemanja Vidic, West Brom's Peter Odemwingie was able to get a head on it towards Morrison, who was fortunately on the right side of the 18-yard line at the time. 

The Scot surprised everyone but himself with a well-struck right-footed volley (after one hop) into the upper-left side of the Red Devils' net, well beyond the reach of United's cameo keeper, Tomasz Kuszczak. 

Sadly, the goal came in a losing effort for the Baggies, with the scoreline of 2-1 in favor of United when the final whistle blew.

Morrison has been fantastic for the West-Midland side this season, stepping up admirably with Graham Dorrans struggling to adjust to the Premier League in his first full season playing in the top-flight. 

Any goals Morrison can contribute to the Baggies' cause from here on out will be crucial to West Brom avoiding another trip back down to the Championship at season's end.

Video Link: Click Here

Manchester United vs. Stoke City at Old Trafford, January 4, 2011

What more can be said about Manchester United's Javier Hernandez?  The Mexican striker, affectionately know as "Chicharito," has been one of the most clutch performers in all of club football this season.

United would probably be pushing fourth place right now if it weren't for Hernandez sticking out his head, chest, leg, toe, or in this case, the back of his heel, in order to save the Red Devil's trophy-chasing necks over and over again.

Anyways, back to the goal.  Halfway through the first half, United's Darron Gibson intercepts a bad pass near the middle of the field from Stoke City's Tuncay Sanli.  He feeds Dimitar Berbatov, who dishes it out wide to Nani making a run up the right. 

Nani keeps blazing wide and with the Potters' defense caught towards the middle of the box while tracking back, the Portuguese winger is able to thread a low yet fast cross from just outside the area.  Hernandez makes a run across the middle of the defense to receive the cross, which he amazingly slots through past the keeper with the back of his right heel.

From Tuncay's bad pass to the back of the Stoke net, it all happens in the period of about nine seconds.  I wasn't sure if it was that great a goal at first, but the more I watch it, the more Chicharito's dexterity and positioning to get on the end of Nani's cross blows me away. 

Just a quick side note: I wanted to include Chicharito's deft, little back-header at Stoke earlier in the season, but I think the Potters have had enough time on this list being on the receiving end of such devastating goals this season.

Video Link: Click Here

Manchester United vs. Manchester City at Old Trafford, February 12, 2011

For most of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford back in February, there was this lumbering oaf strolling around the field, pretending to be Wayne Rooney for the first three-quarters of the match.

Lucky for United, though, the Shrek-esque stallion remembered whose jersey he was wearing and scored one of the best goals in derby history as well as one of best shots of the season so far. 

The Red Devils were on the end of a relentless Manchester City attack for most of the second half, especially after a great David Silva strike that tied the match 1-1.  Around the 77 minute mark, though, United midfielder, Paul Scholes, picks up the remnants of a sloppy give and go between Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov and slots a quick pass out to Nani playing wide right.

The Portuguese winger is able to get a high cross over City defender, Pablo Zabaleta, which finds its way to the center of the box where Rooney, with his back to the goal, makes a ferocious bicycle kick into the upper-right corner of the City net.  Manchester United held on to win 2-1.

There's not that much else to elaborate on, really.  Wayne Rooney was literally anonymous for nearly the entire match until he pulled the proverbial "rabbit out of the hat" goal that left the stands of Old Trafford roaring while City hung their heads in defeat.

Video Link: Click Here

There were quite a few goals that just missed the cut.  Some missed out because they were good, but not great.  Meanwhile, others owe their success to bad defending instead of displaying great goal-scoring ability. 

Some of the great goals scored in recent weeks just haven't had a chance to sink in, but they might look better in retrospect at the end of the season.

If there's an amazing goal you think I might have missed, please don't be afraid to mention it in the comment section below.  Anyway, here is a long list of honorable mentions:

Luis Suarez's great run sets up Dirk Kuyt against Manchester United, March 6, 2011

Johnny Heitinga's curling effort against Birmingham City, March 9, 2011

Jamie O'Hara's free kick against West Brom, February 20, 2011

Cheik Tiote's game-tying strike against Arsenal, February 5, 2011

Didier Drogba's long range strike against Bolton, January 24, 2011

Raul Meireles' long range effort against Wolves, January 22, 2011

Samir Nasri's first dribble and strike against Fulham, December 4, 2010

Mark Davies finishes Bolton's build-up against Blackpool, November 27, 2010

Tom Cleverley's dipping effort against West Ham, November 27, 2010

Chris Brunt's free kick against Everton, November 27, 2010

Nedum Onouha's dribble and goal against Chelsea, November 14, 2010

Luke Varney's volley against Wolves, November 13, 2010

Fernando Torres' second strike against Chelsea, November 7, 2010

Roman Pavlyuchenko's volley against Bolton, November 6, 2010

Javier Hernandez's first half header against Stoke City, October 24, 2010

Leighton Baines' free kick against Tottenham, October 23, 2010

David Silva destroys Blackpool, October 17, 2010

Adam Johnson's left-footed strike against Newcastle, October 3, 2010

Hatem Ben Arfa's stunning strike against Everton, September 18, 2010

Carlos Vela finishes Arsenal's build-up against Bolton, September 11, 2010