Emre Can: Was Liverpool midfielder's overhead kick the goal of the season?
Another contender for best strike of the campaign emerges as Reds scrape a 1-0 win over Watford
Liverpool tightened their grip on their place in the top four with a 1-0 win over Watford, thanks to an outrageous goal from Emre Can, who scored with an overhead kick from the edge of the box.
It leaves Jurgen Klopp's side in third place with 69 points, three points above Manchester City, who have a game in hand, and crucially, four points ahead of Man United, who have also a game more to play.
However, it was Can's acrobatics rather than speculation about Premier League permutations that dominated the conversation after the game.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The 23-year-old midfielder's seventh goal in three years at Anfield will linger long in the memory. He on to an aerial ball from Lucas with his back to goal, but somehow swivelled in mid-air to hook a volley into the top corner.
It is a surefire contender for goal of the season, says the Daily Mail, "but it has been a season of fine goals in England's top flight.
"From Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Olivier Giroud to Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson, there are plenty to choose from".
A straw poll among the paper's football writers threw up several contenders for the title. Scorpion kicks from Giroud and Mkhitaryan and Carroll's scissor kick both won two votes, but Can was chosen as the winner with three votes.
"The technique of an overheard kick is the ultimate challenge," says Rob Draper. "And as he was running on to the ball and viewing it over his shoulder before he executed, I have to go with Can. Just superb."
Writers at the Daily Mirror highlight goals from European and domestic cup competition, as well as throwing up new challengers. However, Can gets the vote of John Cross.
"It was a cracker and so out of keeping with an awful first half," he says. "More difficult technique than a scorpion kick and a huge goal in Liverpool's season."
Despite the praise, Can's efforts may not even be the best Liverpool goal of the season, says the BBC, adding: "Liverpool have not been strangers to special goals this season - with midfielders Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum all winning Match of the Day's Goal of the Month competition."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s financial charges: what next for the Premier League champions?
feature The club is alleged to have breached financial rules around 100 times over a nine-year period
By Mike Starling Published