Garnacho sparks 'best ever goal' debate involving Messi, Saka and De Bruyne
From the moment the ball nestled into the back of the Goodison Park net those in attendance would have known that they'd witnessed something special, even if most of them wouldn't have liked it too much.
Alejandro Garnacho's remarkable overhead kick for Manchester United at Everton on Sunday afternoon has gone straight in as the favourite to be the Premier League's goal of the season, but where does it rank in the all-time list of special strikes?
We asked the Mirror Football team the big question, just what is the best goal that they've ever witnessed live?
Jacob Leeks - Bukayo Saka vs North Macedonia, 2023
Saka scored a stunning hat-trick against North Macedonia in June this year (PA)This is a tight call between two incredible goals for me. The first came the very first time I watched my team Portsmouth, when Niko Kranjcar fired in a stunning free-kick from 25 yards out against Birmingham City in November 2007.
The winger lined up on the left, way outside of the box. But rather than float it in for team-mate, he sent a rising shot flying into the far corner of the net to seal a win for Pompey.
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The second came this year in fact, when England demolished North Macedonia at Old Trafford. Their fourth came through a stunning strike from Bukayo Saka, as part of a hat-trick.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played an unbelievable first-time pass forward to the attacker. He took one touch with his left foot, controlled it with his chest, let it bounce and then smashed in a half-volley into the top corner. Saka just pips it for me.
Neil McLeman - Michael Owen vs Argentina, 1998
Michael Owen's goal against Argentina catapulted him onto the world stage (Shared Content Unit)In the maddest match I have ever seen live, Owen scored a sensational goal amid the chaos to announce himself as an international superstar. The Liverpool star showed raw pace to scythe through the Argentina defence before his lethal finish into the top corner. It was unbelievable for an 18-year-old with so little big-match experience.
I was covering France 98 for The Scotsman and was sitting in the section of the Scottish press in the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in St Etienne. As much as the unforgettable goal, I remember jumping to my feet and punching the air in celebration only to see the rest of the Argentina-supporting Scottish press corps looking daggers at me!
Felix Keith - Rory Delap vs Tottenham, 2004
Rory Delap proved he was more than just long throws against Tottenham (Getty Images Sport)The best goal I ever saw live was also the first. It was March 27, 2004 and I made the trip over from the Isle of Wight to St Mary’s to watch Southampton play Tottenham. I had been excited to see James Beattie in the flesh, but was instead treated to a worldie from an unlikely source.
Rory Delap is best known for pioneering the long throw during his time at Stoke, but – to me at least – he also pioneered smashing in acrobatic volleys for Saints. I was sat right behind the goal for his satisfyingly leathered effort, and the naivety of youth meant I could simply enjoy it for what it was rather than query how such a functional midfielder managed it.
The only comment under the YouTube video of the goal asks: “He was able to use his feet?” In my mind, Rory Delap invented the overhead kick as well as chucking it miles.
Mike Walters - Troy Deeney vs Leicester, 2013
Troy Deeney sparked delirious scenes when he scored for Watford against Leicester (Michael Regan)Do not scratch your eyes - in 18 seconds, Watford went from abject despair at one end of the pitch to unbridled euphoria at the other in the most dramatic finish to a football match you'll ever see.
The Hornets were crestfallen when Anthony Knockaert went down like a binge drinker's cocktail to 'win' Leicester a hotly-contested penalty in stoppage time of the Championship play-off semi-final at Vicarage Road with the tie deadlocked at 2-2 on aggregate.
Score, and the Foxes would have gone to Wembley. But Knockaert's spot-kick - and the rebound - were somehow kept out by Manuel Almunia, and what followed in the next 17 seconds was simply incredible.
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Marco Cassetti's clearance was brought down by Ikechi Anya, who carried the ball deep into Leicester territory, Fernando Forestieri launched a deep cross beyond the far post, and Jonathan Hogg headed it back into Troy Deeney's path.
With the clock showing 96min 44sec, Deeney - who had begun the season in prison - lashed his finish beyond Kasper Schmeichel, sparked a pitch invasion, tore his shirt off and jumped into the crowd to celebrate with his family after sending Watford to Wembley.
"Do not scratch your eyes," bellowed Sky Sports commentator Bill Leslie while, up in the stand, Jonny Phillips - reporting on the game for Sky Sports News - had what was playfully called a 'scoregasm.'
If it wasn't the greatest goal of all time in terms of technical execution, it was a sensational climax (no pun intended, Jonny). For sheer drama, in the context of the game, it was unbeatable.
Neil Moxley - Paul Gascoigne vs Scotland, 1996
Gazza lit up Wembley with his goal against Scotland (Mirrorpix)Yes, there have been more spectacular strikes - from distance, for example - but I always think these debates are better when given context.
The country was buying into the 'Football's coming home' narrative, it was a boiling hot day, the two oldest foes in international football were going at it hammer and tongs. Oh, and Gary McAllister had just seen his penalty saved by David Seaman, leaving Alan Shearer's strike separating the two sides.
Wembley Stadium was in a heightened state of excitement and then Gascoigne twists this way and that, chips Colin Hendry and volleys home to win the game. It was his signature goal. And unforgettable.
What is the best goal you've ever seen live? Have your say in the comments section
Alan Smith - Matt Ritchie vs Sunderland, 2015
Ritchie caught his volley superbly and it flew into the top corner (Getty Images)A technical masterclass to deliver Bourmemouth’s first home win in the Premier League.
When a corner was cleared to Ritchie 25 yards out, he controlled the ball with his chest while shuffling backwards before fluidly manoeuvring and ferociously driving it into the top corner with his left boot. “I think this one, due to the technical difficulty, was the best I’ve seen him score, it really was a wonderful goal,” Eddie Howe said afterwards.
James Whaling - John McGinn vs Sheffield Wednesday, 2018
John McGinn stunned Sheffield Wednesday in 2018 (Aston Villa FC)Back in September 2018, I was lucky enough to be at Villa Park to watch John McGinn score what is unquestionably the best goal I have seen live. The Scottish midfielder drilled home a sublime volley, left-footed, from the edge of the penalty area off the underside of the crossbar past the despairing dive of Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Cameron Dawson.
I was in the away end, and the reaction of the travelling fans around me told you all you needed to know about how good this goal was. Having taken the lead only four minutes earlier, it was a strike which would ordinarily knock the stuffing out of the visiting support, but the sold-out away end instead looked at each other in a daze of bewilderment. "Fair play," was the overriding message.
As a Wednesday fan, once the ball goes out to McGinn, I'm thinking: "Go on, hit it. Have a go." Ninety-nine times out of 100 that ball flies into the Holte End, but it was as sweet a strike as you could wish to see. The fact it cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and into the roof of the net made it all the more pleasing on the eye.
I think what separates this goal from other volleys I have witnessed, I'm thinking back to a couple of Chris Brunt efforts down the years, is the swazz, as the kids say. The ball started so far outside the left post, it had no right to curl back in to that degree and end up in the back, or roof, of the net.
Darren Wells - Emre Can vs Watford, 2017
Emre Can acrobatically struck for Liverpool at Vicarage Road in 2017 (Dan Mullan)On a weekend where overhead kicks are the talk of the town, it's a fitting reminder of the best goal I've ever seen in the flesh, which was also a piece of acrobatic genius.
If I'm honest, there is very little else I can remember from a pretty dull Monday night at Vicarage Road - and I doubt many others can either. But that doesn't matter when the winning goal from the flying right boot of Emre Can was worth the entry fee alone.
Liverpool looked to be heading into half-time all square with Watford when Lucas Leiva clipped what looked a fairly routine ball towards Can as he roamed into the box. Moving at a fair speed, with his back to goal, Can didn't have too many options on what to do next - but no one expected his outrageous first-time bicycle kick over his head into the top corner.
It was one of those goals where the cheers from the fans started with an 'ooh', such was the quality of the goal - and the sheer bewilderment in the stands.
There is already talk of Garnacho's strike being the best overhead kick in Premier League history. Watch Can's back and I'd argue there's a case he's right up there too.
Jack Lacey-Hatton - Kevin De Bruyne vs Newcastle, 2019
Kevin De Bruyne fired in from distance against Newcastle in 2019 (Ian MacNicol)Team goals always get overlooked when it comes to this don’t they? For that reason alone, a big part of me wants to select Frida Maanum’s sensational strike to end a flowing team move in Arsenal ’s Champions League quarter-final win against Bayern last season.
But instead I’ll narrowly opt for Kevin De Bruyne’s rocket-fuelled volley for Manchester City away at Newcastle back in 2019.
The Belgian’s ferocious effort that flew past home goalkeeper Martin Dubravka within a split second, was unlike anything else I’ve witnessed in a football ground. The technique, the power, the timing, the chested touch to set himself, everything was executed to perfection. It also had the extra magic of rattling in via the crossbar.
Even as a home fan, I couldn’t help but admire the genius witnessed first hand. Thankfully Jonjo Shevley scored an equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw only a few minutes later.
Fraser Watson - Lee Trundle vs Carlisle United, 2006
Lee Trundle (left) celebrates Swansea's victoryCall me biased, call me deluded, call me unashamedly tribal. But the best goal I ever saw live came in the 2006 Football League trophy final between Swansea City and Carlisle. And nothing since has come close.
Just three minutes into a game that at the time, felt like the ultimate for a Swansea fan, Leon Britton aimed a diagonal ball towards Lee Trundle. From just inside the left corner of the area, Trundle controlled the ball with his chest and before it could hit the floor, unleashed a left-foot volley past Keiren Westwood and into the far corner. It was magical.
Had Trundle scored a goal like that a decade later, social media and YouTube would have been all over it. For those of us there in person though, the defining moment of our 2-1 win at the Principality Stadium remains one we'll never forget.
Jenny Brown - Eden Hazard vs Arsenal, 2017
Eden Hazard was at his brilliant best against Arsenal in 2017 (PA)I've been lucky enough to see some very important goals scored - but one that will stay with me forever for its sheer beauty and audacity was Eden Hazard's solo effort against Arsenal in a 3-1 Chelsea win at Stamford Bridge in 2017.
The Belgian started the run inside his own half as he proceeded to end the careers of at least four Arsenal players before slotting past Petr Cech in emphatic fashion. The electricity throughout the stadium was palpable from the moment Hazard collected the ball. Diego Costa knew exactly what to expect and stood back to watch his teammate in full flow single-handedly dismantle the Gunners.
Tommy Wathen - Dimitri Payet vs Crystal Palace, 2016
Payet's remarkable free-kick defied physics (Getty Images)The best goal I've ever watched live was Dimitri Payet's stunning free-kick at Upton Park against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Seven men in the wall. The Boleyn Ground on its feet thinking they knew what was about to happen. West Ham's first-team stars standing aside to allow Payet to do what he does best.
I was sitting in the press box at Upton Park and had a fantastic view as Dimi stepped up and put his inch-perfect free-kick into the opposite top corner with Wayne Hennessey helpless in the Palace goal.
Another memorable goal I remember was Yossi Benayoun's outrageous chip vs Fulham in 05/06 season and I don't think I've ever celebrated a goal more that Winston Reid's winner against Manchester United on the final ever game at Upton Park.
Mark Jones - Lionel Messi vs Mexico, 2022
Lionel Messi's goal against Mexico set Argentina on the way to winning the World Cup (AMA/Getty Images)It won't even feature in Messi's personal top 10, and Enzo Fernandez scored a more aesthetically pleasing goal later in the same game, but there was something about Messi's strike against Mexico at the World Cup last year that will always stay with me.
The right answer to this question is probably one of two goals I saw at Anfield 20 years apart - Marc Overmars finishing an incredible 27-pass move for Barcelona in 2001 and Mo Salah's remarkable solo effort against Man City two decades later.
But everything was on the line for Argentina that evening at the Lusail Stadium. They'd lost their first game to Saudi Arabia, Messi was being mocked everywhere you went on the streets of Doha and over an hour had gone in a tense game played out in an incredible atmosphere. Then up steps The Man.
Messi arrowed a superb shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, the place erupted and we all know what happened next.
Sam Meade - Luke Ayling vs Manchester United, 2021
Leeds players celebrate Ayling's stunning strike at Old TraffordLeeds had little to shout about on the opening day of the season as they were undone 5-1 at Old Trafford, but they levelled the score early in the second half. It was a 60 second high that came courtesy of their right-back, who opted for a speculative effort that was in from the minute it left his boot.
He was laid on by Stuart Dallas, took one touch to get it out of his feet before rifling a shot from 25 yards. David de Gea flew across to try and stop it, but the ball had long flown past him. Ayling's shot and celebration seemed to blend into one motion as the Leeds star reeled away to the travelling fans.
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