England's 50 Greatest Goals
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England's 50 Greatest Goals was a poll of the best goals scored by England international footballers conducted in 2005 by television channel Sky One.
[edit] Overview
The poll was conducted of England fans around the country and each goal was then assessed in four categories - skill, verve, excitement and importance - before being put into its final position.
For the programme, each goal was analysed and discussed by a quartet of experts - ex-England centre forward Clive Allen; ex-England midfielder Alan Mullery; ex-Scotland centre forward Andy Gray; and Daily Telegraph football journalist Henry Winter.
Other ex-players who gave opinions on the goals were Jimmy Armfield, John Barnes, Sir Trevor Brooking, Steve Bull, Sir Bobby Charlton, Jermain Defoe, Sir Tom Finney, Gerry Francis, Sir Geoff Hurst, Graeme Le Saux, Matthew Le Tissier, Malcolm Macdonald, Jamie Redknapp, Peter Reid and Chris Waddle. Many of these had goals of their own in the final 50. A number of football journalists and broadcasters also offered viewpoints. The poll reads as follows:
[edit] The Top 50
1 Geoff Hurst, versus West Germany, 1966 World Cup Final, Wembley, 1966
The third goal of a unique hat-trick which concluded England's only World Cup triumph, running half the length of the Wembley pitch from Bobby Moore's pass before blasting a clinical left-foot shot in at the near post.
2 Michael Owen, versus Argentina, 1998 FIFA World Cup second round, St Étienne, 1998
An astonishing individual goal, beating three defenders for pace in a run from halfway before placing a high shot into the far corner.
3 David Beckham, versus Greece, 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Old Trafford, 2001
The culmination of a one-man England display; a powerful, curling, dipping free-kick which earned England the point they needed to qualify for the finals.
4 Paul Gascoigne, versus Scotland, Euro 96 first round, Wembley, 1996
An unstoppable low volley after clipping the ball over the defender and maintaining his eye contact with the ball in order to execute the finish.
5 John Barnes, versus Brazil, friendly international during summer tour of South America, the Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, 1984
A stunning individual goal, beginning on the left flank and consisting of a close-controlled run which saw four defenders and the goalkeeper beaten, culminating in a shot into an empty net.
6 Bobby Charlton, versus Mexico, 1966 FIFA World Cup first round, Wembley, 1966
A goal of great power and precision, beginning with a run from the centre circle and a bodyswerve to the right which opened up room for a thunderous 25-yard shot which was still rising as it hit the net.
7 Michael Owen, versus Germany, 2002 World Cup qualifier, Munich, 2001
A cool finish in a one-on-one situation to complete a stunning hat-trick during an outstanding and historic team victory.
8 Steven Gerrard, versus Germany, 2002 World Cup qualifier, Munich, 2001
A chested down clearance at 30 yards distance is then drilled into the back of the net with great accuracy and swerve.
9 Gary Lineker, versus West Germany, 1990 FIFA World Cup semi-final, Turin, 1990
An unerring left foot finish in at the far post and a crucial late equaliser in a tight semi-final.
10 David Platt, versus Belgium, 1990 World Cup second round, Bologna, 1990
A last-minute swivel and volley movement of consummate skill and concentration which booked a place in the quarter finals.
11 Kevin Keegan, versus Italy, 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Wembley, 1977
A hard and looping header on the run which showed awareness of the goalkeeper's position off his line.
12 Trevor Brooking, versus Hungary, 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Budapest, 1981
A straight and accurate first-time shot from distance which memorably stuck in the stanchion of the goal.
13 Wayne Rooney, versus Croatia, Euro 2004 first round, Lisbon, 2004
A confidently placed shot in a one-on-one situation after being released clear on goal from halfway.
14 Chris Waddle, versus Turkey, 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Wembley, 1985
An individual goal from a run which he began on the edge of his own penalty area, with just one brief one-two movement at halfway, ending with a near-post shot which fooled the goalkeeper.
15 Alan Shearer, versus the Netherlands, Euro 96 first round, Wembley, 1996
A clinical right foot finish after a breathtaking team move involving four other players, starting wide on the left flank and cutting through the opposition defence.
16 Gary Lineker, versus Poland, 1986 World Cup first round, Mexico City, 1986
A classy finish on the run after a sweeping move from one end of the pitch to the other involving three perfectly-weighted first-time passes.
17 Ray Wilkins, versus Belgium, Euro 80, Turin, 1980
A goal of two lobs; one over the defence to pass the ball to 'himself' and thus breach the offside trap; the second to beat the goalkeeper and find the top corner of the net.
18 Graeme Le Saux, versus Brazil, friendly international during summer mini-tournament, Wembley, 1995
A well-struck, dipping volley into the top corner after perfectly controlling a clearance with his chest.
19 David Beckham, versus Colombia, 1998 World Cup first round, Lens, 1998
A low, swerving free-kick which evaded the wall on one side and curled enough to avoid the goalkeeper's glove on the other.
20 Paul Scholes, versus Tunisia, 1998 World Cup first round, Marseille, 1998
A firm yet curling first-time shot on the turn from outside the penalty area.
21 Bobby Charlton, versus Portugal, 1966 World Cup semi-final, Wembley, 1966
A crisp, confident right-foot finish on the run after a clever pull-back, sealing England's place in the final.
22 Robbie Fowler, versus Albania, 2002 World Cup qualifier, Newcastle, 2001
A fine individual goal which consisted of deft skill and a 'nutmeg' movement past three defenders and a clever chip over the goalkeeper.
23 Paul Gascoigne, versus Albania, 1990 World Cup qualifier, Wembley, 1989
A strong run from midfield, culminating in an unstoppable but carefully-placed left foot drive.
24 Malcolm Macdonald, versus Cyprus, Euro 76 qualifier, Wembley, 1975
A brave, well-timed and powerful header among flying boots for the fourth goal of an unequalled five in one international match.
25 David Beckham, versus Argentina, 2002 World Cup, Sapporo, 2002
A brilliantly dispatched penalty of immense pressure and significance, laying personal and team ghosts to rest when it proved decisive in victory.
26 Jimmy Greaves, versus Norway, friendly international on short European tour, Oslo, 1966
A meticulously-aimed yet well-hit volley from a narrow angle after a clever one-two movement which outstripped the defence.
27 Jamie Redknapp, versus Belgium, friendly international, Sunderland, 1999
A thunderous left-foot drive which arrowed into the top of the net from 25 yards via the crossbar.
28 Alan Mullery, versus West Germany, 1970 FIFA World Cup, León, 1970
Starting and finishing a move which involved a tremendous pass to the right wing, a strong run off the ball in a high altitude climate and a powerful finish from the cross at the near post.
29 John Barnes, versus the Netherlands, 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Wembley, 1993
A fabulous, dipping, bending free-kick, aimed so the goalkeeper was unsighted and silencing loud detractors in the crowd.
30 Paul Mariner, versus the Netherlands, friendly international, Wembley, 1982
A magnificently-timed run through the centre on to a defence-splitting pass and a cool finish to the far corner.
31 Bryan Robson, versus the Netherlands, Euro 88 first round, Düsseldorf, 1988
A determined run through the defence and a clever one-two movement, ending with a clipped finish over the goalkeeper.
32 Glenn Hoddle, versus Bulgaria, Euro 80 qualifier, Wembley, 1979
A long-range half volley placed delightfully and accurately into the roof of the net.
33 Gary Lineker, versus Spain, friendly international, Madrid, 1987
A superb, low, sliding left-foot drive from 18 yards as part of a one-man show in which he scored all four goals.
34 Geoff Hurst, versus Romania, 1970 World Cup first round, Guadalajara, 1970
A clever touch and tight-angled shot in one movement after receiving the ball in the penalty area with a defender immediately ready to challenge.
35 Bryan Robson, versus France, 1982 World Cup first round, Bilbao, 1982
An acrobatic left-foot shot on a high bounce after a long throw caused confusion, and claiming the record for the fastest ever goal at the World Cup finals in the process.
36 Duncan Edwards, versus West Germany, friendly international, Berlin, 1956
An incisive, brave and pacey run from midfield in which three defenders were beaten, and a well-placed low shot into the corner.
37 Steve Bull, versus Czechoslovakia, friendly international, Wembley, 1990
An unstoppable and airborne high shot after chesting down a stunning pass with the outside of the boot from Paul Gascoigne.
38 Peter Beardsley, versus Poland, Euro 92 qualifier, Wembley, 1990
A vicious shot in at the near post from a wide angle, showing awareness of the goalkeeper's position.
39 Kevin Beattie, versus Scotland, British Home Championship, Wembley, 1975
A strong, looping header after a punishing run from defence to reach the cross.
40 Gerry Francis, versus Scotland, British Home Championship, Wembley, 1975
A magnificently struck shot from 30 yards.
41 Peter Beardsley, versus Scotland, Rous Cup, Wembley, 1988
A calm, close-range chip after intelligently dummying a throw-in to receive the ball on the turn.
42 Kevin Keegan, versus Scotland, British Home Championship, Wembley, 1979
A brave, low finish after an industrious run from halfway and a defence-splitting one-two movement.
43 Gary Lineker, versus Poland, Euro 92 qualifier, Poznań, 1991
An innovative overhead volley on the turn from close range after a corner was headed goalwards.
44 Paul Mariner, versus Norway, 1982 World Cup qualifier, Wembley, 1980
A wonderful turn from 25 yards allowing him to beat two men and place a perfect shot into the corner.
45 Bobby Charlton, versus Sweden, friendly international, Wembley, 1968
A positive run from deep to set up a well-hit shot from 25 yards, claiming the England goalscoring record in the process.
46 Stuart Pearce, versus Spain, Euro 96 quarter final (penalty shootout), Wembley, 1996
A low penalty, struck to the goalkeeper's right, maintaining England's advantage in the shootout and exorcising his own penalty demons of the past.
47 Stan Mortensen, versus Italy, friendly international, Turin, 1948
A determined and deceptive cross shot which fooled the goalkeeper and entered the net at the near post.
48 Nat Lofthouse, versus Austria, friendly international, Vienna, 1952
Speed and strength as he receives a through-ball, holds off a defender while bringing it under control, before gliding home a shot from the edge of the area.
49 Tom Finney, versus Scotland, friendly international, Hampden Park, 1948
A goal of individual control and skill, with a run past three players and a cool finish with just the goalkeeper left to beat.
50 Jermain Defoe, versus Poland, 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Chorzów, 2004
A clever turn on the edge of the area, thus removing the threat of two defenders, and a confident right foot finish to the far corner.
[edit] Afterthought
Gary Lineker earned the most places in the poll, with four of his 48 goals featured. The 50 goals came from 48 games, with the 1975 win over Scotland and the 2001 World Cup qualifying success in Germany each featuring two goals. Scotland and Germany (including the former West Germany) were the opponents on the most occasions - six goals each, though four goals against German opposition came in the top ten.
Most of the 50 goals came from 'competitive' internationals, from as high as a World Cup final (Geoff Hurst, number 1) to a Rous Cup 'grudge' match against Scotland (Peter Beardsley, number 41). However, a number of friendly international goals were singled out, though only John Barnes' individual effort against Brazil (number 5) made the top ten.
The presence of Stuart Pearce's penalty (number 46) against Spain in the Euro 96 quarter final shootout is unusual; not just because it was a penalty, but because shootout goals are not included in the records of players or teams and therefore this 'goal' is technically not a goal at all. David Beckham's penalty (number 25) against Argentina in the 2002 World Cup is on his and England's goals record as it was a spot-kick awarded in normal play.
The most prolific post-war England goalscorer who did not feature in the poll was Mick Channon, who struck 21 times for his country. Tommy Lawton scored 22 goals, but most of his England career was pre-war. Two entirely pre-war players - Viv Woodward and Steve Bloomer - scored more than Lawton or Channon but did not feature in the poll, possibly due to lack of television evidence to analyse.
