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So what makes a great goal? I know it seems a easy question but honestly, what makes a goal truly great? Is it the goal that keeps a side up or a lob from the half way line? The goal that drags a side back in to a game when they’re 2-0 or a last minute winner in injury time? Everyone has a different variation on what they judge to be a great goal or what the ingredients are that makes some goals stand out above all others.
Well, I’m going to give you my ten goals of the decade, which you may agree with, but probably won’t. Yet that’s one of the great things about football, we all have different opinions and views of the same incident. Hopefully you can view these goals without blinkers of your favourite team and simply judge them on the goal itself. OK, ready? Then we’ll begin.

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Goal Number Ten: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUXKtf1rdaY&amp;feature=PlayList&amp;p=4804DC0EC4C58613&amp;playnext=1&amp;playnext_from=PL&amp;index=10" target="_blank">Thierry Henry v Spurs </a>November 2002
Another North London derby, another Arsenal win but this for me is one of the best goals that this decade saw in the continuing battle between Arsenal and Tottenham. A wonderful solo run and finish saw Henry begin to show the form that was to torment defenders the length and breadth of Europe for the remainder of the decade. A truly great individual goal.
Goal Number Nine: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CqXlNpesnk" target="_blank">Dietmar Hamann v Portsmouth</a> March 2004
There looked nothing on when Michael Owen swung the ball back in from the left wing but Didi Hamann was running in to hit this strike beautifully from the edge of the box. One of those wonderful volleys that occur every now and again, I doubt Hamann has ever scored a goal better than this in his life.
Goal Number Eight: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPTm0vrX-LU" target="_blank">Shaun Bartlett v Leicester</a> April 2001
What a strike this was for Charlton Athletic. A wonderful cross field pass from Graeme Stuart that the South African Shaun Bartlett hit first time to fire it past the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. A fabulous hit, set up by a fantastic pass.
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Goal Number Seven: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DNfgibZO5o" target="_blank">Dennis Bergkamp v Newcastle</a> March 2002
What a wonderful piece of skill this is. From Pires’ crossfield pass, Bergkamp flicks the ball one way and rolls around the defender the other and then slides it past Shay Given. A delightful bit of skill from the Dutch master.
Goal Number Six: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJeVaV2o-3k" target="_blank">Xabi Alonso v Newcastle November 2006</a>
Alonso seemed to be one of those players that could try and score from inside his own half more than most. This strike against Newcastle left Steve Harper scrambling to get back, but to no avail. Perhaps more impressive than the similar goal he scored against Luton Town in the F.A. Cup, it will live long in the memory for its precision from distance.
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Goal Number Five: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23-rL8jObqM&amp;translated=1" target="_blank">David Bentley v Arsenal</a> October 2008
Probably Bentley’s high point during his difficult spell at Tottenham, this wonderful hit saw him control the ball on his chest and volley the ball in to the Arsenal net from 50 yards out. A sublime strike that shows the quality he has, but he simply hasn’t delivered at White Hart Lane. The only benefit to Spurs would seem to be the consistent quality that Aaron Lennon now shows week in, week out since Bentley joined.
Goal Number Four: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH2Szm9Ert0" target="_blank">Wayne Rooney v Newcastle</a> April 2005
Everyone knows the power of Wayne Rooney but this goal shows it for me like no other. Like something from a video game, Rooney spanked the ball in midair at what seems 100mph. The only thing that surprised me was that it didn’t burst the net. A wonder goal from a player that on his day is unplayable.
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Goal Number Three: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IACkXEs0d9s" target="_blank">Glen Johnson v Hull City October 2008</a>
Well, it is always special when a full back scores a screamer, Stuart Pearce built a career on smashing the ball in the back of the net, but this was a fantastic strike from Johnson. It impressed me, because he runs on to the ball, controls it with two defenders closing in and smashes it home with his left foot. An outstanding goal.
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Goal Number Two: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUh-NcHi5ug" target="_blank">Paolo Di Canio v Wimbledon April 2000</a>
Now this goal summed up the genius of Di Canio in one swift moment. A flying volley that saw him use his left leg to propel him upward for a smashing volley with the right foot past Neil Sullivan, it was a divine finish from one of the Premiership’s most enigmatic players. A truly great goal.
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Goal Number One: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3HcdvHbtN4" target="_blank">Robin van Persie v Charlton September 2007</a>
This for me, is one of the best goals I’ve ever seen. A simply breathtaking goal that showed fantastic technique, athleticism and an eye for goal that Marco Van Basten would have been proud of. Everyone knows the qualities that van Persie offers the Gunners, but niggly injuries have held him back from showing the Arsenal faithful his full potency.
So there you have it, my favourite ten goals from the last decade of Premiership football. Leave me some comments, or memories of your favourite goals over the last ten years.

The 10 Best Premiership Goals Of The Noughties

The 10 Best Premiership Goals Of The Noughties - World Soccer Talk

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Simon Kuper and Stefan Syzmanski titled the American version of their new book Soccernomics (review is <a href="http://epltalk.com/soccer-by-the-numbers-soccernomics-reviewed/13261">here</a>), but their title for the&nbsp;release in the UK is Why England Lose.&nbsp; In the book, Kuper and Syzmanski identified the US as a rising power in soccer and England as a permanent disappointment to their rabid fans.&nbsp; With all the caveats that their analysis is designed to look at trends over time and not the outcome of one game, the June 12 match-up between the US and England in South Africa will be a mini-test case for their theory.
Kuper and Syzmanski believe that national team greatness is based on three factors – wealth, size and experience.&nbsp; For purposes of this argument, England and the US are equally as wealthy.&nbsp; The soccer playing male population over the age of 12 is probably a little larger in England, but the US is catching up fast and will probably surpass them any moment now.&nbsp; However, it is in experience where, according to Kuper and Syzmanski, the US is outgunning England.
Kuper and Syzmanski define experience as the collective different types of soccer under which a team and its coaches have played.&nbsp; For example, one of the main reasons for Brazil’s success, according to Kuper and Syzmanski, is that their players have played in a large variety of leagues all over Europe.&nbsp; The Brazilian team is full of players who play in the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, and other great leagues in Europe.&nbsp; When he was considered the best player in the world, Ronaldo was a one man soccer travel guide.&nbsp; He had done a stint in Holland (PSV), two tours of Spain (Barca and Real Madrid) and two tours of Italy (Inter and AC Milan).&nbsp; By experiencing these different leagues, and learning how to master them, Ronaldo made himself unstoppable.
Conversely, Kuper and Syzmanski believe that England always disappoints because the English players only master how to succeed in England.&nbsp; English players rarely travel across the channel to gain experience anywhere else.&nbsp; They play for English clubs, usually under English managers, against English opponents, and learn only how to beat other English teams.&nbsp; Unfortunately, when it comes time to go to the World Cup or the Euro tournament, the team that they are best suited to beat (England) is the one team they will never oppose.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is for this reason that England has not reached the final of a major tournament in over 40 years, and during that time did not qualify for either a Euro or World Cup Finals seven times.
If you project out the most likely team to line up against the US in South Africa, you see this problem in spades.&nbsp; My projection of the starters and reserves England will field next June is a team that not only plays all its club soccer in England – it does not have a single player who has ever played for a non-English club team.&nbsp; The only country in the World Cup Finals that can match England’s insularity is North Korea.
English Starters (Club Team Country)
<ul>
<li>David James – England</li>
<li>Ashley Cole – England</li>
<li>Rio Ferdinand – England</li>
<li>John Terry – England</li>
<li>Glen Johnson – England</li>
<li>Aaron Lennon – England</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>Frank Lampard – England</li>
<li>Steven Gerrard – England</li>
<li>Joe Cole – England</li>
<li>Wayne Rooney – England</li>
<li>Jermaine Defoe – England</li>
</ul>
English Reserves (Club Team Country)
<ul>
<li>Paul Robinson – England</li>
<li>Wayne Bridge – England</li>
<li>Mathew Upson – England</li>
<li>Theo Walcott – England</li>
<li>Gareth Barry – England</li>
<li>Michael Carrick – England</li>
<li>Darren Bent – England</li>
</ul>
Conversely, the US team is a tribute to diversity.&nbsp; In my projected starting XI, nine different nations are represented in the players’ club history.&nbsp; Add in the reserves, and you are adding in another two countries.
US Starters (Club Team Country)
<ul>
<li>Tim Howard – US/England</li>
<li>Jonathan Spector – England</li>
<li>Oguchi Onyewu – Belgium/Italy</li>
<li>Jay DeMerit – England</li>
<li>Carlos Bocanegra – US/England/France</li>
<li>Landon Donovan – Germany/US</li>
<li>Michael Bradley – US/Holland/Germany</li>
<li>Benny Feilhaber – Germany/England/Denmark</li>
<li>Stuart Holden – US</li>
<li>Clint Dempsey – US/England</li>
<li>Jozy Altidore – US/Spain/England</li>
</ul>
US Reserves (Club Team Country)
<ul>
<li>Brad Guzon – US/England</li>
<li>Steve Cherundelo – Germany</li>
<li>Jermaine Jones – Germany</li>
<li>Fernando Torres – Mexico</li>
<li>Maurice Edu – US/Scotland</li>
<li>Robbie Findley – US</li>
<li>Conor Casey – Germany/US</li>
</ul>
With Holden and possibly Donovan set to go to Europe in the January transfer window, this diversity of experience will continue.&nbsp; With the US learning under different systems, playing against different types of players, and refining different skill sets, they are more apt to absorb the challenges of international tournament like the World Cup.
Does this mean the US will win the game on June 12?&nbsp; There is no crystal ball for that.&nbsp; The only statistical theory that Kuper and Syzmanski could say about that game is that the team that scores the most goals will come out ahead.&nbsp; However, according to Kuper and Syzmanski, the US is coming on fast and England is a stagnant, creaking soccer power.&nbsp; Over time, if this trend continues, the US will certainly overtake England on the world stage.&nbsp; The question is whether that Rubicon is crossed on June 12 in Rustenberg or sometime a little further down the road.

US vs England – A Soccernomics Analysis

US vs England – A Soccernomics Analysis - World Soccer Talk

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