Best overhead kicks in Premier League history – ranked

The execution of an overhead kick is almost always a memorable phenomenon. What would be the point of scoring with such acrobatic proficiency if they’re not recalled in compilations years and decades down the line?

The irregularity of such goals makes them particularly special, and we’ve seen some incredible sequences of acrobatic virtuosity in the Premier League over the years.

Alejandro Garnacho’s goal of the season contender (and almost certain winner) at Everton evoked memories of overhead kicks from yesteryear, but where does the Argentine’s strike rank among the very best the Premier League has ever seen?

Here are 90min’s ten best Premier League overhead kicks of all time.

You might debate whether Diomansy Kamara falls into the ‘streets won’t forget’ branch of Premier League footballer, but the former Fulham man certainly makes a strong argument for his inclusion.

His overhead kick against Tottenham at the start of the 2007/08 season was doubtlessly his finest moment in the top flight. While Kamara’s effort doesn’t boast the power of those listed ahead, the deft precision means it’s well worthy of our #10 spot.

And, of course, the signature celebration followed.

You might’ve forgotten about Gary Cahill’s exploits at Aston Villa, but this strike in the Second City Derby cemented his place in Villan folklore.

Cahill’s effort is pretty unique. It involved a mighty spring, a subtle twist, and an emphatic connection to beat Maik Taylor from a fairly tight angle.

From one Cahill to another. Now, Tim’s acrobatic effort may appear somewhat simple from a technical perspective, but the sheer power of his finish renders it memorable.

The Everton cult hero rescued a point for the Toffees at Stamford Bridge with this instinctive effort. Given where the ball emerged after Juliano Belletti’s failed block/clearance, this was the only way he was going to beat Carlo Cudicini between the Chelsea posts.

This was an utterly forgettable contest with a moment of genius from former West Ham striker Dean Ashton.

The Hammers were already 3-0 down to the champions-elect at Old Trafford when Ashton offered the visitors a lifeline with an outrageous finish.

With the ball looping towards him, Ashton dared to dream and he executed his overhead kick to perfection. However, West Ham would sink to a 4-1 defeat.

Some might remember this incredible effort for Martin Tyler’s fairly tame commentary compared to his enthusiasm after Anthony Martial’s goal two minutes later.

Christian Benteke’s time at Liverpool was pretty flat, but this effort was far from dire. The Belgian briefly handed the Reds a lifeline with an audacious sequence of acrobatics. The striker caught the ball as sweetly as he ever did at Anfield, and David De Gea had no chance.

This goal was so good that it denied Olivier Giroud’s Puskas Award-winning iconic scorpion kick official Goal of the Month honours. However, like several other stellar contenders, it doesn’t rank at the very top of our list as it’s a little more side-on.

Still, Andy Carroll’s finish against Crystal Palace was absurd: distance, technique, connection, and placement. It had it all.

Now this is a proper overhead kick.

Revered for his elegance and masterful technique, Dimitar Berbatov is one of few players who could pull this finish off. Most overhead kicks rely on instinct and an element of good fortune, but this was measured, calculated, and outright genius.

Berba’s typically deft first touch set up the finish perfectly, with the striker beating a motionless Pepe Reina with his back to goal. The fact that it found the back of the net via the crossbar aids the striker’s cause from an aesthetic perspective.

There will not be a more iconic overhead kick in Premier League history. Wayne Rooney’s strike in the Manchester derby has been used relentlessly in Sky Sports promotions over the years.

This was utterly brilliant, and the occasion only adds to the excellence of the finish. However, there’s simply just a bit too much shin for it to make our top two.

We shall not succumb to recency bias!

Garnacho’s acrobatic mastery in Man Utd‘s 3-0 victory over Everton boasts some similarities to Rooney’s strike, but the Argentine was able to make an ever sweeter connection.

He was also further out when he reached Diogo Dalot’s cross, and Jordan Pickford’s despairing dive certainly enhances the purity of the strike.

Look, we know a case can be made for several of these finishes being number one, and perhaps most of you side with the iconic nature of Rooney’s effort, Berbatov’s genius, or the recency of Garnacho’s.

However, it’s Emre Can’s ludicrous finish that tops our list, Why? Well, have you ever seen a goal like it?

It’s a central-ish cross from Lucas Leiva, and Can, who’s making a dart into the box and is thus running onto the cross, contorts his body into the ideal acrobatic position to make a stunning connection which stuns and silences Vicarage Road.

No, you haven’t seen a goal like it, and originality pays dividends in the world of acrobatic virtuosity.

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