Top 17 Goals of the Week

Another superb week of football has come to a close, but before we head off into the best goals of the week, at this special time of the year we should focus on those poor, less fortunate souls.

Roll up little known Portimonense striker Halleson Honorato, who did his best to prove not all Brazilians can play, when facing top flight Naval in the cup, as the goal-shy striker planted his header criminally wide from two yards (0.48 second in). Malaga midfielder Fernando was also guilty of missing an open goal when No. 8 must have closed his eyes when heading Albert Luque’s perfect cross to the back post.

And while Sebastian Giovinco did his best Chris Waddle impression to deny Juve a win in the Champions League, Royston Drenthe showed why very few believe that he has a future at Real Madrid with his pitiful effort when clean through on goal against Valdes in El Clasico.

But it was hardly a situation of defenses on top and those charged with protecting their goal also came up short. David Albelda decided to be charitable at the Mestalla when he simply passed the ball to Espanol’s Roman Martinez and the midfielder thrashed home a 25-yard beauty. Also finding themselves in the season of giving was Anorthosis keeper Zoltan Nagy, who provided a howler at Panathinaikos in the Champions League to let Karagounis’ weak shot slip under his body and over the line. But the schmuck of the week prize must go to Jamie Carragher for his wonderful own-goal at home to Hull on Saturday.

Onto the goals, and once again we have a fine collection of super strikes to savour. Of note, goals 13 and eight show how to score from a set-play, the requisite overhead-volley can be found at goal five, a superb left-foot volley can be found at goal 10, while goal 14 is proof of how to lob a keeper.

As always, sit back and enjoy!

1. Albert Riera (v PSV, Dec. 9, 2008)

2. Raul (v Zenit St. Petersburg, Dec. 10, 2008)

3. Mohamed Zidan (v Monchengladbach, Dec. 12, 2008)

4. Johannes van den Bergh (v Borussia Dortmund, Dec. 12, 2008)

5. Sloan Privat (v Caen, Dec. 13, 2008) (pictured)

6. Djamel Belmadi (v Monaco, Dec. 13, 2008)

7. Karim Soltani (v Roda, Dec. 13, 2008)

8. Paulo Machado (v Toulouse, Dec. 13, 2008)

9. Mathieu Chalme (v Le Mans, Dec. 13, 2008)

10. Alessandro Diamanti (v Triestina, Dec. 13, 2008) (first goal on the video)

11. Matias De Federico (v Velez Sarsfield, Dec. 13, 2008) (first goal on the video)

12. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (v Chievo, Dec. 14, 2008)

13. Daniele Conti (v Roma, Dec. 14, 2008)

14. Pedro Lopez (v Deportivo La Coruna, Dec. 14, 2008)

15. Pedro Leon (v Deportivo La Coruna, Dec. 14, 2008)

16. Michael Owen (v Portsmouth, Dec. 14, 2008)

17. Ezequiel Garay (v Almeria, Dec. 14, 2008) (first goal on the video)

Narrowly missing this week’s cut were goals from Arjen Robben, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sylvinho, Lisandro Lopez, Christian Gimenez, Sami Khedira, Rafal Boguski, and Alberto Gilardino.