Ranking the favourites to win Premier League 2022-23 Goal of the Season award

Mo Salah won this award last season

As Manchester City's title party continues, it's time to look back on a season that has spoiled fans across the country with heart-stopping moments, high drama, and controversy right from the very start. If there were still any lingering doubts over the Premier League's status as the best division in Europe, they have certainly been erased over the past 12 months.

With reflection time at a premium, supporters up and down the country often look back on what's gone before them: the best games, the results that got away, and, invariably, the best goals of the season. The latter is something every football fan around the globe can relate to.

There were plenty of those on show in the Premier League this season; here are the nominations for the goal of the season.

9. Willian (Fulham vs Nottingham Forest) - 11th February

Willian is now a Premier League veteran, with 285 appearances to his name across spells at Chelsea, Arsenal, and Fulham. The Brazilian has never been prolific, but a large portion of his 43 goals have been memorable due to his ability to find the net from all angles.

Fulham fans were treated to a Willian special in their 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest on February 11, as he opened the scoring with a sublime solo goal. Forest had eight men behind the ball when it broke for him eight yards out, but he was able to bamboozle one defender with a slick dummy before picking his spot. Willian somehow whipped his shot into the top corner, despite the best efforts of a Forest player standing on the line. Invention, accuracy, and execution of the highest order.

8. Ivan Toney (Brentford vs Leeds) - 3rd September

Ivan Toney's season has been marred by his eight-month ban for breaching betting rules, but his goals lifted Brentford to within touching distance of European qualification. Only Haaland and Harry Kane can better his tally of 20, with his best performance coming in a thumping 5-2 home win over Leeds.

The England international scored a stunning hat-trick to help sink the Whites, and his second was a thing of beauty. After a very short run-up, he managed to rifle a 20-yard free-kick straight into the top corner. Toney wasn't previously known for his dead-ball prowess, but this was the moment he solidified his status as one of the best all-around marksmen in English football.

7. Matheus Nunes (Wolves vs Chelsea) - 8th April

Chelsea had a miserable campaign, and not even the return of a club legend could spark a change in fortune. Frank Lampard's first game as interim manager ended in a 1-0 loss at Wolves, with Matheus Nunes grabbing the only goal of the game. Nunes unleashed a thunderbolt of a volley to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga, who only began to dive after the ball had already zoomed past him. Poetry in motion.

6. Demarai Gray (Everton vs Manchester City) - 31st December

Everton have not had much to celebrate over the past 12 months amid another gruelling relegation battle. But they are one of the few sides that have managed to get something from the Etihad this term. City were left rueing missed chances after a 1-1 draw against the Toffees in December, with Demarai Gray stealing a point for the visitors with their only shot on target.

In truth, the 26-year-old was given far too much space as he ran from the centre circle all the way through to City's box. Some questionable defending from Manuel Akanji helped him out too, but Gray's eventual shot was right out of the top drawer. Ederson could only watch on in awe as the ball arrowed into the side netting in a jaw-dropping moment that completely silenced the City faithful.

5. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace vs Man Utd) - 18th January

Manchester United were well on course for three points away at Crystal Palace, only for Michael Olise to conjure up one of the strikes of the season. His dipping, bending free-kick evaded the outstretched hand of the sprawling David de Gea, rescuing a point in front of the home crowd. It was real postage stamp stuff from Olise, who showed a number of times throughout the season just how good he is.

The France Under-21 international had a huge task to find the net from a 25-yard free-kick that was placed towards the far corner of the box. But he did exactly that, with the ball crashing in off the crossbar after bypassing De Gea.

4. Jonny Otto (Wolves vs Leeds United) - 18th March

Wolves found themselves 3-0 down against Leeds and heading for disaster, but got themselves back into the match in the most extraordinary way possible. With Leeds cruising, goalkeeper Illan Meslier flew off his goal line to clear a dangerous ball forward with his head outside the area, and it looked like the crisis was averted. However, when the ball was carelessly knocked across the pitch by Marc Roca, Jonny spotted an unlikely opportunity and went for it.

Smashing the ball the first time on the volley, the Spanish left-back saw his shot fly over Meslier and into the back of the net from miles out. He was sent off in the same match because of a dangerous tackle.

3. Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle United vs Wolves) - 28th August

Allan Saint-Maximin is a showman. He might lose the ball too cheaply and make the wrong decision now and again, but when one of his tricks comes off, it's a joy to behold. Hwang Hee-chan was made to pay for a clumsy clearance that looped Saint-Maximin's way just outside the penalty area. The Frenchman took the ball out of the air with an outrageous first-time volley that arrowed straight into the bottom corner, leaving Wolves supporters heartbroken.

2. Julio Enciso (Brighton vs Manchester City) - 24th May

Julio is a talented player who has impressed the management and fans with his playing style. Julio Enciso's long-range strike for Brighton against Manchester City bordered on absolute perfection. The 19-year-old picked up the ball, ran towards the City defence, and unleashed an unstoppable swerving effort that left stand-in goalkeeper Stefan Ortega groping at thin air.

1. Miguel Almiron (Newcastle vs Fulham) - 1st October

Miguel Almiron's first goal in Newcastle United's 4-1 win at Fulham. It may even have a case for being one of the best goals in the Premier League's entire history. When you factor in the level of difficulty and imagination, there are certainly not many better that come to mind. Receiving a dinked ball over the top from Bruno Guimaraes, Almiron showed the incredible technique to leather a first-time volley past Bernd Leno – one that left the majority of Craven Cottage silenced and the away section dancing with joy.