There’s been some great games this season, outrageous pieces of skill, and already a host of contenders for goal of the season. We’ve also seen our fair share of innovative goal celebrations. From Jimmy Bullard imitating Phil Brown’s infamous half-time dressing down, to Steven Fletcher’s chicken dance following his recent goal for Burnley against Chelsea, rumored to be inspired by newly appointed manager Brian Laws’ alleged throwing of a plate of chicken wings at Ivano Bonetti whilst managing Grimsby Town. It got sport.co.uk thinking as to what our favourite goal celebrations ever are.
1. Jurgen Klinsmann dive
Who said the Germans don’t have a sense of humour? Arriving at Tottenham Hotspur with somewhat of a reputation as a player who made the most of any sort of challenge, Jurgen after scoring on his debut ran to the touchline before flinging himself onto the floor in a swanlike action. And so began a love affair between Klinsmann and the Spurs faithful.
2. Temuri Ketsbaia loses it
We’re not sure what got up Georgian Geordie Temuri Ketsbaia’s nose, but after scoring for the Magpies against Bolton Wanderers, old Temuri ripped his shirt off in an Incredible Hulk like manner. But that was just the beginning. After appearing to try and remove his shin pads, Ketsbaia proceeded to kick the living daylights out of the advertising hoardings. Even his Newcastle teammates couldn’t restrain him.
3. Craig Bellamy’s golf swing
When news emerged of a bust up between Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise just days before Liverpool were due to take on Barcelona at the Nou Camp, no one could have predicted the Welshman’s goal celebration. After allegedly attacking the Norwegians’ shins with a golf club after the full back had “disrespected” Craig for refusing to participate in a spot of karaoke, Bellamy reenacted said attack my mimicking a golf swing. First player to celebrate with Bellamy, why Riise of course.
4. Cristiano Lucarelli loves his shirt
Cristiano Lucarelli has long courted controversy in Italy by publically proclaiming his support for Communism, so much so that he was ostracized from the national team for many years. His passion whether for politics or his club Livorno cannot be doubted and is probably best shown by the bizarre goal celebration that saw him rip off his shirt, throw it on the floor and then proceed to make sweet sweet love to it. Whatever rocks your boat Cristiano.
5. Robbie Fowler snorts a line
After enduring various crowd chants during a Merseyside derby suggesting certain members of his family were wrapped up in drugs, Robbie Fowler chose to make light of the matter after equalizing from the penalty spot. After slotting the ball into the bottom right hand corner, Fowler ran over to the goal line and began sniffing it in a manner that Pete Doherty would surely be proud of.
6. Finidi George doggy style
When Finidi George delicately lifted the ball over the Greek keeper at World Cup USA, the Nigerian ran towards the corner flag and dropped to his knees. He then proceeded to walk like a dog on all fours before arching his hind leg and imitating the art of relieving oneself. George later moved to Ipswich Town. Sadly the Premier League didn’t get a chance to see this somewhat bizarre celebration firsthand.
7. Gazza’s dentist chair
A goal celebration almost as famous as the goal itself. After Paul “Gazza” Gascoigne had danced around Colin Hendry before volleying into the bottom corner at Euro 96, the entire team ran to celebrate with him. Gazza had laid himself down, mouth wide open, when he was then showered by teammates with Lucozade Sport bottles. The celebration itself was reference to photos that emerged from the England teams pre-tournament trip to China where they had bottles of spirits poured down their necks at a nightclub, whilst sat down in a dentist’s chair.
8. Crouch does the robot
Peter Crouch became something of a cult hero after performing the “robot” while on England duty. The 6ft 7” striker couldn’t have anticipated the hoo-ha that emerged from it. So popular did it prove that when visiting the England training camp, Prince William asked Crouchy to recreate it. Not one to say no to the future King of England he dutifully obliged. Having retired the dance until he either scored in a Champions League or World Cup final, he did give it a reprieve in England’s recent World Cup qualifying campaign.
9. The Aylesbury Ducks
Who said you had to score to do a celebration? When non-league Aylesbury United reached the FA Cup Third Round in 1995 against Premier League QPR, they were soundly beaten 4-0. However, this didn’t stop the plucky non-leaguers performing their signature goal celebration, which involved waddling on their knees in a duck like fashion. The reason? Well none other than their nickname is the “ducks”.
10. Cantona laps it up
Sometimes it’s what you don’t do that counts. After twisting his way through half the Sunderland team, before finishing with an outrageous chip, most players would lose the plot, running around deliriously. Not King Eric, oh no. The mercurial Frenchman simply stood motionless pirouetting 360 degrees giving his adoring fans a look at a genius. He gradually raised his arms and had a look in his eye that suggested he knew how good we all thought he was. Arrogance has never been such an appealing trait.