Ranking the top 10 best goals in Premier League history

The English top flight has seen some incredible goals over the years

Goals are the lifeblood of football. Sure tackles, tricks and tantrums are part of the game's appeal, but watching the net bulge after a spectacular effort is what keeps people glued to their seats or television sets. Since the foundation of the Premier League in 1992, some incredible goals have been scored over many seasons. In arguably the strongest soccer league in the world, the Premier League has offered some amazing goals, moves, and turns, which will surely be remembered long in the future.

Some own goals, some tap-ins, some offside and some didn't even cross the line, but there too have been undoubted moments of sheer brilliance and jaw-dropping awe they're moments of splendour which keep us watching, writing and chanting every match week.

Here are the top 10 best goals in Premier League history:

10. Dennis Bergkamp vs Newcastle (March 2, 2002)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7fZJf0eYq8

Probably the coolest piece of magic the Iceman ever produced, this quick-thinking and clinical finish epitomise everything the Dutchman was about. Some will say he didn’t mean it, but anyone who has ever watched Bergkamp in action will know otherwise.  Bergkamp's goal against Newcastle is a masterpiece, which has not yet been repeated by anyone. A pirouette around Newcastle's defender and a classy finish in the bottom right corner. The Dutchman himself may have seen no big deal but everyone else did.

9. Thierry Henry vs Manchester United (October 1, 2000)

At his best, Henry was superior to any player in the league and struck fear into the heart of any defenders who faced him. Thierry Henry is certainly one of the most complete strikers in the history of soccer and his goal against Manchester United just proved that. In 2001, he left United goalkeeper Barthez simply wondering, after he beautifully struck a volley in the back of the net. A real signature goal by the Frenchman.

8. David Beckham vs Wimbledon (August 17, 1996)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4tVnpwp8d4&pp=ygUsRGF2aWQgQmVja2hhbSB2cyBXaW1ibGVkb24gKEF1Z3VzdCAxNywgMTk5Nik%3D

Beckham was known for his technique of kicking the ball so elegantly that many fans will keep on watching him continuously. If the distinct technique behind Beckham’s right-footed swing from inside his own half would become synonymous with his brand, the audacity of it was something the Premier League had seldom witnessed. The goalkeeper didn't even try to stop the ball as it dipped down so beautifully into the goal.

7. Dalian Atkinson vs Wimbledon (October 3, 1992)

It’s not merely the finesse of the perfectly weighted chip from Atkinson that made this goal extra special, it was the bandy-legged brilliance that led to it. The Villa star danced through challenges, combining Maradona’s goal of the century with a Cantona-like finish. This was a display of pure genius that may have come in the Premier League’s inaugural campaign.

6. Paul Scholes vs Bradford (March 25, 2000)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcRJwMkg-H4&pp=ygUpUGF1bCBTY2hvbGVzIHZzIEJyYWRmb3JkIChNYXJjaCAyNSwgMjAwMCk%3D

Scholes was a player who was known for his skills on the ball. A Beckham corner looped towards the midfielder, who met the ball so sweetly that the cameraman struggled to keep up with it en route to the goal. The subtle bend of the strike through a tiny gap was sublime as if Scholes had mapped out the trajectory of his torpedo. 

5. Matt Le Tissier vs Newcastle (October 24, 1993)

Easily one of the most naturally gifted players to ever grace the Premier League, this goal portrays everything that was great about Le Tiss – his craft, his skill, and his eye for an exquisite goal. One of the most underrated players in the Premier League era, Matt Le Tissier scored some beauties mostly in Southampton during his 16-year stint with the club. His finest moment came against Newcastle when he dribbled past two players with a lob and smoothly placed the ball in the bottom right corner. It was pure joy to watch him score that goal.

4. Tony Yeboah vs Liverpool (August 21, 1995)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq4-z7mI_Cw&pp=ygUqVG9ueSBZZWJvYWggdnMgTGl2ZXJwb29sIChBdWd1c3QgMjEsIDE5OTUp

Yeboah hit two Premier League screamers, but his Liverpool blockbuster arguably tops another at Wimbledon a month later. The Ghanaian was off balance and backpedalling as the ball fell from the sky the rest was box office. His volley was laced with venom as it ricocheted in off the crossbar with a glorious thud. Truly spectacular finish.

3. Pajtim Kasami vs Crystal Palace (October 21, 2013)

A strike so underrated it didn’t even win goal of the month, losing to Jack Wilshere’s pinball wizardry against Norwich. As Sascha Riether’s deep ball dropped over his shoulder, the Swiss was running away from goal at an acute angle he somehow controlled with his chest before walloping home the first time. Seeing is believing. 

2. Paolo Di Canio vs Wimbledon (March 26, 2000)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63czdUW_R-s

Mostly remembered for his radical political views and problems off the pitch, Italian striker Paolo Di Canio ensured that we remember him in a soccer-like way as well. In one of the most recognizable goals in Premier League history, Di Canio scored a “Kung fu-like” goal against Wimbledon after catching a volley from a cross on the right. A truly unique goal by the Italian.

The Italian’s strike is one of those once-in-a-blue-moon goals that you can never begin to believe regardless of how many times you watch it. The timing, technique, and precision are of the absolute highest degree.

1. Wayne Rooney vs Manchester City (February 12, 2011)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZV9UWY5wwY&pp=ygUzV2F5bmUgUm9vbmV5IHZzIE1hbmNoZXN0ZXIgQ2l0eSAoRmVicnVhcnkgMTIsIDIwMTEp

In his prime, Rooney was one of the finest strikers in English soccer and many thought he could come close to Shearer in terms of goalscoring records. However, he remained second, at least for now. One of his most memorable moments in England will also be his incredible bicycle kick goal against Manchester City, which brought the Red Devils the victory in this match. It was voted the club’s goal of the decade and is arguably fans’ most cherished derby moment ever.