Where do you even really begin with this?
Evaluations like ‘goal of the century’ are being thrown around fairly liberally in relation to this goal, and that might be taking it a little too far – but it’s still absolutely fantastic.
We’ve all seen this a dozen times already, so I’ll keep it quick…
As with the first goal, this all begins with a raking ball from Wayne Rooney – the accuracy in his long-passing, by the way, is really undervalued. Rooney probably doesn’t imagine that Robin van Persie is going to attempt to volley this on the full, but irrespective of that it’s still a wonderful pass. Watch van Persie as he chases on to it: he doesn’t even have to adjust his stride – that’s incredible precision.
The difficulty factor at work here is easily overlooked. Consider this: van Persie has run nearly forty yards at top pace, with two defenders in close proximity, and he’s about to connect perfectly with a ball dropping over his shoulder. He’s had to watch this on to his foot for twenty yards, whilst all the while making sure he keeps his balance and remaining aware of where the goal and the goalkeeper are.
It’s not just a good contact, either, it’s absolutely flush. Go out into the garden and try this – it’s unfathomably difficult.
Watch all the goals from last night here
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