Is Wayne Rooney’s bicycle kick still the best Premier League goal ever?
Can you believe it’s been 14 years to the day since that heart-stopping moment at Old Trafford? On February 12, 2011, the footballing world was treated to one of the most mesmerizing goals in Premier League history when Wayne Rooney, in a display of athletic prowess and sheer audacity, scored with a bicycle kick against Manchester City. This wasn’t just any goal; it was a match-winner in one of the fiercest derbies, a moment that seemed to freeze time as fans and players alike stood in awe.
As we dive back into this moment of brilliance, we’re left pondering: Is Rooney’s bicycle kick still the best Premier League goal ever? Join us as we count down from ten to one, exploring the league’s most exhilarating strikes, culminating in that unforgettable moment of magic. And we’ll not forget the recent spectacle from Alejandro Garnacho, a goal that has many fans and pundits rekindling the debate about the greatest Premier League goals.
Table of Contents
10. Tony Yeboah vs. Liverpool (1995)
Imagine the scene: Elland Road, packed to the rafters, and Leeds United’s Tony Yeboah, a man known for his explosive shots, steps up. The ball comes to him on the edge of the box, and from the tightest of angles, he unleashes a cannonball that thunders into the top corner, past a helpless David James. This goal wasn’t just about power; it was a statement of intent, a declaration of Yeboah’s prowess, setting the stage for what would become known as one of the Premier League’s most iconic moments.
9. Dennis Bergkamp vs. Newcastle (2002)
The genius of Dennis Bergkamp was never more evident than in this breathtaking display at St James’ Park. With Arsenal needing a spark, Bergkamp receives a long pass, flicks it over Nikos Dabizas with the outside of his boot, spins like a ballet dancer, and then dinks the ball past Shay Given with an almost nonchalant ease. This wasn’t just a goal; it was art on the pitch, a masterclass in footballing intelligence that leaves fans and pundits alike still discussing its beauty years later.
8. Paul Scholes vs. Bradford (2000)
At Old Trafford, under the floodlights, Paul Scholes, the master of the long shot, produces one of his finest moments. A clearance goes awry, the ball loops into the air, and Scholes, with the precision of a sniper, connects with a volley so sweet and true that it sails into the top corner. It’s not just the technical brilliance that captivates; it’s the effortless grace with which Scholes does it, making what seems impossible look routine.
7. Thierry Henry vs. Manchester United (2000)
Old Trafford, the lion’s den, and Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s king, decides to rule. With the game in the balance, Henry receives a high ball from Sylvain Wiltord, controls it with one touch, and then, with his weaker foot, volleys it back across goal. The ball seemed to defy physics as it flew into the net. This wasn’t just a goal; it was a statement, a bold declaration of Henry’s dominance over the competition.
6. Matt Le Tissier vs. Newcastle (1993)
At The Dell, Southampton’s Matt Le Tissier, the magician of the Premier League, conjures up what can only be described as footballing sorcery. Picking up the ball deep in his own half, he slaloms through Newcastle’s defense like they’re mere ghosts, and from just inside the box yards, he pokes it past the keeper. Later in the same game, he curled an exquisite shot into the top corner. These two goals were more than skill; it was a testament to Le Tissier’s ability to create something from nothing, leaving fans in awe and opponents in despair.
5. Papiss Cissé vs. Chelsea (2012)
Stamford Bridge, one of the toughest grounds, and Papiss Cissé, in his breakout season, decides to make his mark. From around 30 yards out, he unleashes a shot that begins as a straight drive, only to curve viciously into the top corner, leaving Petr Cech rooted. This Premier League goal was a moment of pure magic, a swerving, dipping ball that seemed to dance its way into the net, showcasing Cissé’s flair and unpredictability.
4. Robin van Persie vs. Aston Villa (2013)
At Old Trafford, under the gaze of thousands, Robin van Persie delivers what many consider the “Goal of the Season.” A cross from Wayne Rooney arcs into the box, and Van Persie, with an almost balletic leap, adjusts his body in mid-air to volley the ball into the top corner. It’s a goal that not only defines his season but his entire career at Manchester United, a blend of athleticism, timing, and sheer class.
3. Stan Collymore vs. Newcastle (1996)
At Anfield, the stage is set for drama, and Stan Collymore, in a moment of sheer audacity, delivers. Spotting Newcastle’s goalkeeper off his line, Collymore, from nearly 40 yards out, decides to try his luck. The ball arcs beautifully over the keeper, dipping just in time to nestle into the net. This wasn’t just a goal; it was a moment of Premier League genius, a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement football can offer.
2. Alejandro Garnacho vs. Everton (2023)
In a league where goals can define careers, Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester United’s young prodigy, adds his name to the list of Premier League goal scorers with a moment of pure brilliance at Goodison Park. With his back to goal, he meets a cross from Diogo Dalot with a spectacular bicycle kick, sending the ball into the top corner with an elegance that belies his youth. This goal, coming in the context of a heated match against Everton, not only reignited discussions about goal-of-the-season but also drew immediate comparisons to Rooney’s legendary strike, sparking debates across social media and sports shows alike.
— 365Scores (@365Scores) December 17, 2024
OFFICIAL
Alejandro Garnacho’s goal wins The FIFA Puskás Awardpic.twitter.com/cxVfovrskF
1. Wayne Rooney vs. Manchester City (2011)
And here we are, at the zenith of Premier League goals. Wayne Rooney, in the heat of the Manchester Derby, takes flight. With the score level, Nani crosses the ball, and Rooney, with the poise of a seasoned acrobat, executes the perfect bicycle kick. The ball hits his shin, but the moment is far greater than the technique alone. It’s the context, the drama, the execution under pressure, the sheer spectacle that elevates this goal above all others. It’s not just a goal; it’s a piece of footballing folklore, a moment that encapsulates everything beautiful about the sport.
Why Rooney’s Goal Reigns Supreme Rooney’s goal isn’t just remembered for its technical difficulty; it’s immortalized for its narrative. It was a match-winning strike in one of the Premier League’s fiercest rivalries, a moment of redemption and assertion when Manchester United needed it most. The combination of skill, timing, and the electric atmosphere of the game makes it not just a highlight, but the highlight, in the eyes of many, of Premier League history. While Garnacho’s breathtaking goal has certainly entered the conversation, the historical significance and the unparalleled drama of Rooney’s strike keep it at the top, a testament to the magic football can conjure, making it, undeniably, the greatest goal ever scored in the Premier League.
Is Wayne Rooney’s goal against Manchester City the best overhead kick the Premier League has ever seen? pic.twitter.com/St5KhJtIPF
— 365Scores (@365Scores) February 12, 2025
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
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