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13 of the most insane one-goal wonders in Premier League history ft. Man Utd, Liverpool, Spurs…

Michael Lee •

The Premier League is littered with one-hit wonders – players that scored just once in the competition – but some of them made sure their sole top-flight strike was an absolute net-buster.

While none of these players caused Alan Shearer or Harry Kane any sleepless nights, they produced the kind of magic that’d be worthy of a street parade if it came from the boot of you or me.

We’ve trawled through the archives to bring you 13 of the most jaw-dropping strikes from Premier League players who never troubled the scoresheet again.

Erik Edman

Edman only lasted one season at Tottenham in the mid-2000s, but his NASA missile at Anfield ensured his place in Premier League folklore.

“It flew off my boot so fast that at first I didn’t realise it had gone in,” the former Sweden international said. You don’t say, Erik.

Henrik Larsson

Another Swede whose stay in England was brief, Larsson made such an impact at Manchester United that fans wished he’d arrived at Old Trafford 10 years previously.

His sole league goal came during a 4-0 swatting of Watford, combining superbly with Wayne Rooney and showing the ice-cool finishing that made him such a hero at Celtic and Barcelona.

Lilian Nalis

Arriving from Chievo on a free transfer in 2003, Nalis was unable to prevent Leicester from an instant return to the Championship, but graced us with one of the best volleys you’re ever likely to see.

Paul Robinson in the Leeds goal stood as much chance of cracking time travel as he did saving this howitzer.

Cheik Tiote

Arsenal’s banter era was crystalised by this four-goal collapse at Newcastle in February 2011, but prime David Seaman wouldn’t have stopped this swinger from Tiote that lifted the roof at St James’ Park.

The Ivory Coast midfielder tragically died in 2017 at the age of 30. His sole Premier League goal will live forever.

Cuco Martina

Southampton were winless in six league matches when Arsenal came to town on Boxing Day 2015, but their 4-0 victory was kickstarted by this physics-defying boomerang from Martina.

Seriously. His initial shot was headed towards Portsmouth before curling inside Petr Cech’s post.

The full-back also became the first player from Curacao to score in England’s top division. Anybody who can name the other three (without cheating) needs an urgent intervention.

Edgar Davids

Davids became a cult hero at Tottenham under Martin Jol, lifting the entrenched mediocrity at White Hart Lane with his winning attitude and sheer coolness.

Surprisingly, the midfielder only scored once in the Premier League. But it came from a typically surging run and arrowed finish on a filthy autumn’s day at Wigan in 2005.

Doesn’t get much more Barclays than that.

Niclas Jensen

Arguably the last great goal scored at Maine Road, jobbing full-back Jensen met Nicolas Anelka’s cross with the kind of connection not seen since Heathcliff met Cathy.

Kevin Keegan’s Manchester City were everything you’d thought they’d be; swashbuckling, maddeningly inconsistent and ultimately harmless. Jensen’s volley against Leeds in January 2003 summed them up perfectly.

Andres D’Alessandro

Portsmouth’s great escape in 2005-06 was fuelled by a typically mad trolley dash by Harry Redknapp; seven players arrived at Fratton Park that January as Pompey trashed around in deep relegation waters.

But, while Emmanuel Olisadebe and Ognjen Koroman sunk without trace, D’Alessandro swam like an elegant swan in Redknapp’s midfield.

His sole Premier League came in a 2-1 defeat at Charlton, but the mazy dribble and golf-wedge finish epitomised the Argentine’s class.

Sebastian Coates

Coates never quite lived up to his potential at Liverpool, but scored a volley so acrobatic against QPR in 2012 that it’d take Aardman animators approximately three days, no lunch breaks and a million tiny increments to replicate.

Marek Matejovsky

Reading failed to defend the lead Matejovsky gave them at Anfield in March 2008, falling to a 2-1 defeat and finding themselves relegated at season’s end.

Perhaps they were shell-shocked by their previously goal-shy colleague producing this nuclear missile.

Simon Cox

Harry Redknapp called this goal ‘world-class’ after seeing his Spurs side pegged back by West Brom in April 2011.

He’s not wrong, is he? You could live off a strike this sweet for eternity.

Mbulelo Mabizela

Recruited by Glenn Hoddle after impressing in a pre-season friendly for Orlando Pirates against Tottenham, Mabizela had already captained South Africa by the time he arrived at White Hart Lane.

Disciplinary issues dogged Mabizela’s time in England, which made moments like this all the more frustrating; the quality was clearly there.

Alisson

No notes here. Just glorious.

READ NEXT: Remembering Henrik Larsson’s brief but brilliant Manchester United loan

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