For many a football fan, a trip to the footie is a Boxing Day staple. Swapping leftovers and TV re-runs for pie and mash is a time honoured tradition. Fans who have attended or tuned into games on the 26th December have often been rewarded with some cracking matches and moments. We’ve rounded up some of the best Premier League Goals From matches on Boxing Day.
The current crop of players will have a lot of work to do. Mainly to overcome the jet lag, but also because the calibre of past Boxing Day strikes is exceedingly high.
The 10 Best Premier League Goals From Matches On Boxing Day
Wayne Rooney vs Hull – 2013
Manchester United’s first season since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson was not their best. That’s putting it lightly.
Despite finishing seventh overall in the 13/14 season, the Red Devils still have this great goal to look back on.
After receiving the ball back from Danny Wellbeck about six yards out from the box, Wayne Rooney gently knocked the ball up into the air. He then hitting a looping volley right over the head of Hull keeper Alan McGregor.
It’s one of Rooney’s many great Premier League goals. Let’s just gloss over the fact that this drew them level with a Hull side that had, at one point, been beating them two-nil.
Joey Barton vs Wigan Athletic – 2005
In one of Boxing Day’s most exciting matches ever, Wigan Athletic won 4-3 over Manchester City. That’s not nearly as impressive as it would have been had it happened today, but it was still a big win for The Latics.
City didn’t do too badly though, scoring three times. And one of them was an absolute peach.
After an attack on the right-hand side fizzled out, the ball was sent careening up into the sky above the Wigan penalty area. It fell like a gift from above to Joey Barton, who smashed it home first time on the volley.
It wasn’t enough to save The Sky Blues from losing, but it was somewhat of a consolation prize.
Steven Defour vs Manchester United – 2017
Manchester United hadn’t lost at home on Boxing Day in 39 years when they faced Burnley in 2017. After just three minutes, they were a goal down.
The team in claret then went two to the good when Belgian Steven Defour fired home a wicked free kick from 20 yards out.
Defour had been set to move to United in 2009 before an injury derailed his plans. Perhaps this gave him extra motivation to hit such a sweet strike against them.
Too bad Jesse Lingard scored twice in the second half to deny the Lancashire team the win.
John Arne Riise vs West Brom – 2004
The Premier League’s favourite Norwegian until a certain Mr. Haaland arrived, John Arne Riise earned legions of fans in Liverpool thanks to moments like this.
After Dietmar Hamman played the ball into his path with a lovely little flick, Riise absolutely smashed the ball towards goal. It left West Brom keeper Russell Hoult grasping nothing but air.
Riise’s finish is superb, but it’s the assist from Hamman that earns this goal a spot on the list. The way the German expertly adjusted his feet to knock the ball his teammate’s way was inspired and was actually his second assist in a 5-0 beating for The Baggies.
Abou Diaby vs Aston Villa – 2008
Another goal where the assist might actually be better than the finish came in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa from 2008.
After receiving the ball from Abou Diaby in his own half, Emmanuel Eboué sprinted pretty much half the length of the field. He then returned the ball to Diaby for the goal.
Don’t sleep on the final touch though, which was a dainty little chip from the Frenchman to leave Brad Friedel in the dust.
An excellent team goal from two players not known for their goal-scoring. Robin Van Persie was right there and they chose to go it alone – fair play.
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Andy Cole vs Liverpool – 2002
One of the best forwards the English game has ever produced, Andy Cole spent three years at Blackburn Rovers and scored for them 27 times.
One of these goals came in a fixture against Liverpool, the day after Christmas 2002.
After Liverpool’s Stephané Henchoz headed the ball right to him, Cole chested it down. He then took a few steps before unleashing a cannonball of a shot from miles out.
The ball dipped magnificently, sailing past Chris Kirkland as if it was powered by steam.
A classic Cole finish from an often forgotten part of his legendary career.
Trevor Sinclair vs Derby – 2001
A West Ham legend, Trevor Sinclair secured his spot in many Hammers fans’ Dream XI with this sensational aerial finish in 2001.
After a cross into the Derby box from a young Joe Cole, Sinclair leapt an ungodly height into the air before firing home a powerful shot that no keeper in the world could have stopped.
Whilst not quite on the level of his stunner against Barnsley from four years earlier, Sinclair really pulled out the stops for this one and it’s a beautiful sight to behold.
Cuco Martina vs Arsenal – 2015
If you’re going to only score one goal for a club, you need to make it a special one. That’s exactly what Cuco Martina did for Southampton back in 2015.
When Ryan Bertrand’s cross into the Arsenal penalty box was cleared away, nobody could have predicted what would happen next. The right back casually strolled up to the ball and smashed it with the outside of his boot.
The ball carved through the air like it was skating on ice. It formed a beautiful arc as it soared into the back of the Arsenal net.
The technique required to pull this off is unbelievable, the man it came from even more so.
Jordan Ayew vs West Ham – 2019
We’ve had some great team goals on this so far, so let’s celebrate a stunning solo effort from Crystal Palace vs West Ham in 2019.
Jordan Ayew gets the ball right on the fringes of the pitch before cutting inside. He spins past one West Ham player, powers past another, before gently lifting the ball over goalkeeper Roberto Jiminez.
All of this went down in the 90th minute with the score tied at one apiece.
The skill, the confidence, the drama, this goal has it all. Well done to Jordan Ayew for even attempting it, let alone pulling it off.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan vs Sunderland – 2016
Sometimes, you need a little bit of luck in football. Few players know that more so than Armenia’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Whilst playing for Manchester United in 2016, he scored the defining goal of his career. With an assist from Zlatan Ibrahimović of all people, Mkhitaryan managed to fall forwards whilst simultaneously flicking his foot upwards to catch the ball with the sole of his foot.
The so-called “Scorpion Kick” remains one of football’s greatest sights and Mkhitaryan pulled it off with perfection.
It’s one of the most unique Premier League goals of all time and the best one to ever go in on Boxing Day.
