After months without football the Premier League looks set to return in a matter of weeks.
In an effort to help tide you over until that joyous day, here is a favourite goal from the season so far.
Despite only sitting 14th in the top-flight and having relatively brief runs in the cup competitions, there are still plenty of worthy candidates to choose from. Any of the four goals scored at Fratton Park would be a shoe in, from Danny Ings double to Nathan Redmond’s dagger blow fourth.
Moussa Djenepo’s Brighton strike showed off strength and pace, not to mention bags of skill, while the second goal against Leicester proved to be a much-needed boost of morale.
My top pick exemplifies the best of the beautiful game.
A trip to Stamford Bridge seldom brings with it an expectation of acquiring three points from Chelsea, but this season’s Boxing Day fixture saw the hosts out fought and out manoeuvred.
SFC took the lead through Michael Obafemi just after half an hour and then battled hard to keep Chelsea at bay. Despite heading into the fixture as the underdogs, Southampton kept possession well and look to claim their second.
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With just over 15 minutes to go the visitors wrapped up all three points and claimed one of the best goals of the football season.
The move began with a Southampton throw in roughly level with the Chelsea penalty area. Saints moved the ball around nicely, looking for openings, unafraid to be patient despite Chelsea players breathing down their necks.
Supporters would’ve been forgiven for thinking the momentum was dead as the ball arrived at Jack Stephens feet on the wrong side of the centre circle. Fortunately for fans that’s when the magic started to happen.
After picking up the ball just inside the Chelsea half, Stuart Armstrong smartly flicks the ball past his man before finding a sublime one two with a colleague. The Scotsman’s work not yet completed Armstrong charges toward the box, moves the ball up to his chest to avoid the intentions of Antonio Rüdiger, before delivering a pinpoint cross to an arriving Nathan Redmond.
The Englishman connects with the ball just ahead of the keeper and a supreme piece of football is capped off superbly. Somehow this special moment managed to combine the best of the team game and a moment of pure individual magnificence.
With shades of Mick Channon’s goal against Liverpool back in the 1980s, the strike was a special way to bring home all three points.
The match shows promising signs of the philosophy the manager has been implementing with his players. Not only are the side capable of hard graft, but there also able to turn on the style when given the opportunity.
Days like the one seen at the Bridge proves to the fans that no matter the team’s past poor form, lack of spending power, or strong leadership in the boardroom, anything is possible in football.