After Vardy's stunner against Liverpool, we look at the other contenders for the best goal of 2015/16 to date
The England striker has received rave reviews for the strike, with Jurgen Klopp and Gary Lineker among those to express their delight.
Unless something extraordinary happens, the goal will be a mainstay on end-of-season lists and YouTube compilations with horrendous Euro-trance soundtracks. Some have already labelled it the Premier League goal of the season.
But competition for that prize is pretty stiff this year. Just a few weeks ago, people were saying the same about Dele Alli's moment of brilliance against Crystal Palace, while Anthony Martial's effort for Manchester United on Tuesday night was not bad either.
And they're not the only other contenders. Here are the ten best goals of the campaign so far... and you can vote on your favourite at the end.
Jamie Vardy – Leicester vs Liverpool
In a season full of personal highlights, this must go down as Vardy's best single strike. The striker ran onto Riyad Mahrez's clipped through ball, steadied himself for just a moment, then unleashed an unstoppable shot that left Simon Mignolet grasping thin air.“To be honest I’d spotted that the Liverpool goalie was quite far off his line so when the ball bounced up for me I decided to give it a go," Vardy said after the game. To make that decision in a split-second and then have the ability to pull it off is the mark of a special player.
Reuters / Darren Staples
Reuters / Darren Staples
Reuters / Darren Staples
Michael Regan/Getty
Michael Regan/Getty
Anthony Martial – Man United vs Stoke
The French forward has made a habit of stepping in off the left flank to fire shots on target, and this was a finish of marvellous precision , whipped beyond the reach of one of the division's best goalkeepers. But what made this goal truly special was the build-up. United won back possession on the edge of their area and embarked on a brilliant counter-attack involving half of the team.Michael Carrick exchanged passes with Jesse Lingard before clipping the ball over to Matteo Darmian. The Italian found Juan Mata, who sucked in two defenders and poked the ball to Wayne Rooney, who saw Martial in space and found him with a fine pass. This was like the United of old.
Action Images via Reuters
PA
Dele Alli – Crystal Palace vs Spurs
The Spurs midfielder has chipped in with more than his fair share of goals this term, but none has been as spectacular as this one . Alli brilliantly lifted the ball over Mile Jedinak's head – they call this a 'hat' in France – before pinging a volley into the bottom corner.Look at his body position at the time he made contact with the ball. He was almost falling over, yet kept his head still and his eyes on the ball. Impeccable, impeccable skill.
Jason Brown/JMP/REX
Reuters / Stefan Wermut
Christian Benteke – Man United vs Liverpool
It has been a frustrating season for Benteke. His progress was disrupted by injury in the first half of the season and the arrival of Jurgen Klopp appears not to have done him any favours.
But even if things don't pick up between now and May, he can at least reflect on this memorable strike at Old Trafford. The Belgian showed his power to muscle his way onto the ball, before springing into the air to meet the ball two metres off the ground. Ander Herrera didn't cover himself in glory, mind.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty
Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC
Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC
Anthony Martial - Man United vs Liverpool
That Benteke strike was not the only moment of genius in that match: later in the game, Martial set out his stall with a goal of real class.United's record signing received the ball on the left of the area and jinked inside towards Martin Skrtel. The Slovakian looked well placed to make a challenge but Martial ducked past him with quicksilver cunning before rolling the ball into the far corner. Unstoppable.
Reuters / Carl Recine
Matthew Peters/Man Utd
Samir Nasri – Everton vs Man City
This one might get forgotten come the final reckoning, but it deserves some attention, not least for Yaya Toure's sublime assist.There appeared to be little on when the Ivorian received the ball on the edge of the area, but he nonchalantly flicked the ball over two defenders and into the path of Nasri – WHILE LOOKING THE OTHER WAY. The finish was tidy as well, but that pass was utter, objectionable filth.
Matt Ritchie – Bournemouth vs Sunderland
Ritchie lit up the Championship last season and put down a marker early on in the Premier League in Bournemouth's game against Sunderland.A corner was headed away to the edge of the area, where the Scotland winger was lingering. The away defenders must have thought the danger had passed, only for Ritchie to chest the ball down and rifle a left-footed shot that curled away from Costel Pantilimon and into the top corner. A flabbergastingly clean strike.
Jeremain Lens – Sunderland vs West Ham
If there's one thing all football fans can agree on, it is that chipped lobs are awesome. Think Eric Cantona's strike against Sunderland, Davor Suker against Denmark and so on. The element of humiliation is irresistible.Lens' goal for the Black Cats against West Ham wasn't the purest version – ideally the goalkeeper needs to stay rooted to his line – but it got bonus points for clipping the crossbar on the way in.
Action Images via Reuters / Graham Stuart
Yaya Toure – Arsenal vs Man City
Toure has scored so many spectacular goals that it can be tempting to shrug when he does something special. But this, even in a defeat for the Blues, was a moment to savour.After ambling forward to the edge of the area – wasn't it ever thus? – Toure assessed his options and, with one waft of his left foot, placed the ball beyond Petr Cech. It didn't even look like a shot; Toure just took a step and passed the ball into the top corner. Magic.
Cuco Martina – Southampton vs Arsenal
I initially forgot about this goal, which is pretty criminal. For this is a great, great goal, reminscent of Roberto Carlos' ludicrous banana shot for Brazil against France at Le Tournoi.Footballs just aren't meant to curl that much. It's sick and it's wrong.
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