8. Laurent Robert (NUFC 4-0 Tottenham)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFgzWxkfPks Where: St James' Park Date: December 2003 Just sifting through the back catalogue of long-range wonder strikes is just a reminder of how much of a pleasure it was to watch the mnemonic Robert in his pomp during four unforgettable years at St James' Park in which he plundered 32 goals. Possessing a high-powered gatling gun of a left foot - the French winger didn't do tap-ins - it was difficult to select just a single goal from his vast collection of long-range projectile missiles that caused many a goalkeeper to gingerly cover their face with both gloves and cower in timorous terror rather than risk the agony of a stung palm. But it is a thunderous volley in a 4-0 victory over Tottenham that we consider the quintessential Robert goal. It is difficult enough to get clean contact and power when striking a ball in mid-air so to achieve both when off-balance is something only he would dare attempt. But that is exactly why we've chosen this goal as he is the only player to even contemplate scoring from that situation. Stretching to reach Anthony Gardner's headed clearance there wasn't a spectator inside St James' that expected Robert to even shoot as he shuffled sideways to meet the ball. So it wasn't just Kasey Keller that was nonplussed when he unleashed a thunderous volley from 30-yards that left the Spurs keeper clutching air. It was frightening how effortless he made it look.
Jak Penny
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Content writer, blogger, occasional journalist and lifetime inhabitant of the post-LOST island of grief.
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