The Only Goal You Need to See This Weekend (Video)
If the English Premier League title race had any life left before this weekend, that's all over now. Grateful Manchester United supporters may mail their thank-you notes to one Leon Osman.
Everton defeated Manchester City 2-0 Saturday at Goodison Park, and coupled with United's 1-0 victory over Reading, the gap between the Manchester clubs now stands at 15 points.
Now, we're not saying that a 15-point gap is insurmountable or anything, but if the English title race were a fictional television character, it would probably be an extra on The Walking Dead.
In the absence of a compelling title race, we at least had the chance to enjoy a goal worthy of killing off any and all top-of-the-table drama. Everton's Osman, a 31-year-old midfielder, saw to that nicely.
Here's what happened. In the 32nd minute, Osman ran onto a pass laid off by Seamus Coleman and belted a swerving shot into the top corner with the outside of his left foot.
Osman couldn't have hit the ball any better, and Manchester City keeper Joe Hart really couldn't have done a thing about saving it. So he didn't try.
Afterwards, Osman called the goal one of his best in a post-match interview with EvertonFC.com.
"Joe is a fantastic keeper and to beat him from that range, I can't ask for more. I'm delighted," he said. "Maybe it bobbled a little bit as I hit it but it went in the back of the net and it gave us the goal we needed to go on and win the match."
Osman's goal was hardly the only top-quality strike in world football this weekend, but for the inch-perfect hit on the ball and the goal's effect on the English title (non-) race, we're making it our Set Piece Goal of the Weekend.
