Boxing Day will always be a red-marking day on every soccer fan’s calendar, with a party to revel in this beautiful game after our Christmas Day overindulgence.
The years can get stranger as the 12 months go by, but the festive period is always a good time to let our eyes feast on a tasty soccer nostalgia.
So why not have one last little trip down memory road as we recall the best Premier League goals in the annual Boxing Day bonanza?
Boxing Day 2004 was certainly a day to remember for Liverpool fans, as their team demolished West Brom 5-0 at The Hawthorns. John Arne Riise pointed the way with a withering left foot, finding the ball on the edge of the box as he sent the shot accurately into the upper corner.
It’s fair to say that David Ginola didn’t score bad goals, but this was a cracker even by his standards.
The Tottenham player scooped the ball up on the right before launching inward with his usual threat and cunning, knocking down not one, not two, but up to THREE rivals, before taking up position and launching an unstoppable shot beyond desperate Alec Chamberlain dip.
The goal put the Spurs on track to victory as they comfortably beat the Hornets 4-0, who would eventually hit bottom in the Premier League.
Many Arsenal fans (and neutrals too) will often be lyrical about the player who could have become Abou Diaby, and his goal at Villa Park in 2008 proves they are not wrong.
The injury-prone Frenchman started the Gunners’ play with great skill in his own half of the field before playing the ball to Emmanuel Eboue. The right-back headed for Aston Villa’s penalty spot before combining with Diaby, who showed all the composure in the world against emerging Brad Friedel.
Steven Defour was a complete enigma at Burnley. The Belgian was the great signing of the newly promoted team in 2016, but disappeared after a couple of seasons at Turf Moor.
Yet he left us an absolutely wonderful goal to remember him, putting the visitors 2-0 at Old Trafford in 2017 with a sumptuous free kick.
Sean Dyche’s team would finally endure a frustrating afternoon, throwing a two-goal lead late in the match and returning to Lancashire with just one point despite their best efforts.
Rooney was never short of magic moments during his time at Manchester United.
England’s greatest scorer of all time left us a beauty on Boxing Day 2013, controlling the ball with his thigh before launching a missile into the upper right corner, as David Moyes’ men came back from a goal against to record a 3-2 win over Hull.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave us a host of impressive free kicks in his first season at Old Trafford, and Sunderland were among those affected in 2007 when the winger took an unstoppable shot just off the penalty spot.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men won 4-0 at the Stadium of Light on a comfortable football afternoon in the North East of England.
A stellar career before his move to Blackburn Rovers means Andy Cole’s stint at Ewood Park is rarely mentioned, though 37 goals in his two and a half years at Lancashire is a decent return.
The delight on the former Manchester United player’s face was clear to all as he silenced the Anfield crowd on Boxing Day 2002, controlling the ball with his chest before firing on Chris Kirkland’s goal.
The shot was enough to secure a valuable point for the visitors, equaling John Arne Riise’s first goal.
With all the goal scoring machines on our list, Cuco Martina is certainly not a man to associate with goals, but he did score a wonderful goal to put Southampton ahead against Arsenal in 2015.
His excellent shot off the outside of his right boot is one of the most aesthetically pleasing goals you’re likely to see, and he put his team ahead in a 4-0 win against Arsene Wenger’s men.
You could write highlights of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s time at Manchester United on the back of a postage stamp, although this would definitely be top of the list.
The Armenian international’s incredible scorpion shot ended the game between United and Sunderland as a contest as the Red Devils took a three-goal lead and secured all three points on Boxing Day 2016.
And finally, our number one Boxing Day goal in Premier League history.
Trevor Sinclair wasn’t a 20-goal-per-season midfielder, but when he came out with a goal, he used to make them special, and this one he made in 2001 was no different.
The West Ham player’s acrobatic effort appears to have taken everyone by surprise, including Derby goalkeeper Mart Poom, as he helped the Hammers to a resounding 4-0 victory over the Rams.
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