It’s hard to win Goal of the Month when your name’s not Ronaldo
While Man Utd were dishing out the pain to Couldn’t be Arse-d-nal, Gary Lineker and Co. were dishing out their traditional Goal of the Month award to eternal flavour of the week, Cristiano Ronaldo.
It was a brilliant strike, one that many a journalist has waxed lyrical about of late, but spare a thought for poor Bolton captain Kevin Nolan. On the 13th of January against Blackburn, a high ball was launched to the midfielder who was standing 18 yards from goal in the far left side of the box. With his back to the goal, he swivelled on the spot to produce an outrageous volley that rocketed past Friedel with venom and into the net. You can watch it here.
As I’m sure you’ll agree, it was a strike worthy of goal of the season. It’s just a shame that reputation and recent media praise were somehow also brought into the equation for deciding BBC’s monthly award.
Do you agree and think that Nolan’s volley was better than Ronaldo’s free kick? Or was the Portuguese’s unique technique a deserving winner? I’d like to hear your comments.
The best of Ronaldo
With a severed tendon in his knee threatening to end his career, here’s a YouTube compilation of the best bits of AC Milan’s Ronaldo. When he was fit, which wasn’t often enough, he was truly brilliant striker.
The goal that sums up Arsenal
Arsenal’s 6th goal in their demolition of Slavia Prague sums up all that’s good about Arsene Wenger’s team. Pace, power, precision passing and a wonderful finish. Remember that the Gunners were 5-0 up at the time yet Fabregas ran the length of the pitch to get involved.
Just beautiful football for Arsenal fans and neutrals to enjoy.
In support of 101 great goals
If you don’t already know about 101 great goals it’s a fantastic website which provides links to football clips on YouTube and other video hosting sites.
For many fans it’s the only way they can see their teams in action. However, in this piece the gaffer over there expresses his concerns over the future of the site, and it’s understandable that he has them.
I commented recently on why streaming was so popular and the backlash that was emerging against it.
Let’s be clear here now though. 101 great goals does not upload or host videos on its site, it merely provides links. That may not be enough to save it if the lawyers get their way and it would be a real shame.
Again it merely highlights that where there’s a huge demand for a service the authorities and the bigwigs are more concerned with stopping someone providing that service than trying to figure out a way of doing it themselves. Like the record companies, like the people who close down the streaming services, they’re so focussed on the negatives they’re blind to the positives.
I hope 101 great goals doesn’t fall foul of these people. Keep it up as long as you can, Sir. We’re right behind you.
Top 10 Serie A goals 06-7
Annoying editing aside they do love their overhead kicks, don’t they?
Goal of the season
Lionel Messi against Getafe last night. What a goal.
Friday goal action
Quaresma v Belgium. Can Porto hang on to him this summer? He’s strongly linked with Chelsea but he could be just the player Arsenal need.