This weekend certainly must go down as one of the most bizarre in the Premier League’s history with a number of results and goals which simply cannot be explained and much go down as pure freaks of nature.
However, while this is most definitely a rare occurence, over the years England’s top flight has seen a number of goals which just cannot be explained and must be chalked up as either sheer stupidity by the player or and absolute stroke of luck.
While there are many to choose from, let’s take a look at the top 10…
10. Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace v Portsmouth) – There is no doubt that Tony Popovic gave his all to the Crystal Palace cause and tried his best to keep them in the Premier League. However against Portsmouth his efforts led to one of the most embarrassing moments in his career as, in an attempt to block a Steve Stone cross, the player incredibly flicked the ball into his own net.
9. Frank Sinclair (Leicester City v Middlesbrough) – Over his career Sinclair gained a reputation of scoring own goals at the worst possible time, usually the 90th minute. His own goal against Middlesbrough a number of years ago surely must go down as one of the most bizarre as with no Boro player in sight, Sinclair coolly strokes the ball past his keeper and into his own net.
8. John Arne Riise (Liverpool v Chelsea) – If there was a time when you wanted to try your best to not score an own goal, surely the final few minutes in a crucial Champions League game against Chelsea must fall into that category as the Norwegian put the ball in his own net late in stoppage time to eliminate the Merseyside club.
7. Lee Dixon (Arsenal v Coventry) – Dixon was always considered one of the most reliable defenders not only for Arsenal but throughout the Premier League. His own goal against Coventry seemed to quickly destroy this opinion, as the left back amazingly chipped the ball over a stranded David Seaman and into the back of the net.
6. Peter Enckelman (Aston Villa v Birmingham) – One of the most memorable goals in Premier League history as Enckelman failed to control a Olof Mellberg throw in, leaving the ball to roll under his foot and into the back of the net, much to the delight of the blue half of Birmingham.
5. Gary Neville (England v Croatia) – Although this own goal must go down in Gary Neville’s name, the real cause of the problem was goalkeeper Paul Robinson. A bobble in the pitch caused Robinson to miss control the ball as it rolled into his own net, summing up England’s Euro 2008 qualification campaign as a whole
4. Jamie Pollock (Manchester City v QPR) – This own goal by Jamie Pollock must go down as one of the most skilful and surprising own goals that any defender will ever score in world football. Pollock flicks the ball over two players before effortlessly heading the ball over his own keeper and into the back on the net.
3. Beach Ball (Sunderland v Liverpool) – One of the most controversial goals ever to be scored in the Premier League as a Darren Bent shot takes a deflection off a beach ball thrown onto the pitch from the crowd and into the net past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina. Although many argued the goal should not have been given, the referee awarded the goal and made it a talking point for years to come.
2. Frank Queudrue (Lens v Bastia) – Before joining Middlesbrough and Birmingham, Queudrue had one of the moments to forget during his time at Lens as the Frenchman remarkably volleys a 40 yard pass over his keepers head and into the back of the net, leaving all those in attendance utterly speechless.
1. Chris Brass (Bury v Darlington) – While this is not one of the most high profile games or goals in our top 10 list, the comedy value and complete stupidity which this goal demonstrates makes it a sure thing for the number one spot. The defenders attempt to clear the ball over his head goes horribly wrong as the ball smashes him in the face and flies into the back on the net.
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