The last 12 months provided another blockbusting chapter in the Premier League success story and of course, goals, goals, goals.
Sky Sports and 'the voice of football' Martin Tyler have been there every step of the way to bring you stunning strikes galore.
Sky Sports News asked Martin to pick out his Top 10 from 2008 - with a little help from skysports.com readers.
Bentley: best of the year?
We asked you to nominate your favourite Premier League goal and gave Martin a shortlist which he has now whittled down to make his goals of 2008.
There are some from last season, some from this season, some from the usual suspects, some from those not exactly known for their prowess in front of goal.
Some are fine individual strikes, some are superb team goals, others make it for their quality alone, others squeeze in because of the circumstances surrounding them.
But what's not in doubt is the sheer class behind all 10. Here, Martin counts down to his goal of 2008 and tells us what impressed him about these 10 goals...
10 - Steve Sidwell v Everton
MARTIN SAYS: When you think about it, early goals are rare and this is the quickest in the Premier League this year. Also Sidwell is a player who had to work hard to make an impact since moving to Villa Park, so it was a great moment - and great way to start a Sky live game! It was however, only the beginning of the story on a remarkable night when all the significant action was crammed into the first and last minute of the game. It was a slick move between Ashley Young, James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor and when you consider the lay-off came at him quickly after just 34 seconds, when he was hardly into the game and he despatched so sweetly into the top corner, it shows what a good strike it was. Truly a bolt for the Blues!
9 - Robinho v Arsenal
MARTIN SAYS: The arrival of the little Brazilian was one of the huge events in the Premier League throughout 2008. Yes we thought he was coming to these shores, but Chelsea clearly wanted him and I have spoken to one or two insides who say they are missing Michael Essien and Didier Drogba but the one they lack the most is Robinho. Although City, with their millions to spend, haven't blossomed yet individually the Brazilian has certainly made an impact. He is so dangerous coming from all angles and to have that confidence to try such an audacious effort and for it to come off against one of the big four, was such a lift for the club. I am sure there are many more to come.
8 - Geovanni v Spurs
MARTIN SAYS: It is important to recognise Hull City's magnificent year and having just mentioned one Brazilian, it is fitting another one should make this list. Geovanni however has not arrived in England this year, he just needed the opportunity to play - and express himself. It was a very shrewd move from Phil Brown to get him in, because it's one thing to come into the Premier League and graft and be organised and disciplined, but you need quality - and this guy has it in abundance. We have seen his free-kicks before, but this one, at White Hart Lane was right in the top corner and set up another famous victory for the Tigers.
7 - Stylian Petrov v Derby
MARTIN SAYS: First of all, my apologies to Roy Carroll for raising the issue again, particularly as it was some time ago, back in April. We often see keepers make poor clearances and on the sidelines, we just expect people to put it straight back into the empty net, but of course it takes such a lot of doing. But Petrov, who hasn't really hit the headlines in this Villa side, did just that. It was a truly wonderful piece of skill and something I think is unique to the Premier League this year. It deserves to stand out on its own, regardless of the circumstances - it was just one of six unanswered Villa goals - because it was just an extraordinary effort.
6 - Frank Lampard v Hull City
MARTIN SAYS: This was also the year Frank Lampard became the first Premier League midfielder to reach 100 goals, which is a feat in itself, and I am sure Frank would put this delicate, left-foot chip up there with any he's scored. With some players, you would think they were just lofting the ball back into the right area, but with Lampard you know that's not the case. It was just so precise, the perfect lob. I remember he had scored another very good goal against Manchester City, with his left, prior to that and I do think there is a tendency to overlook the quality of his goals sometimes. He remains an invaluable part of the Chelsea side, and don't forget he was there long before Roman Abramovich and the millions, and the Hull goal capped an outstanding year, when he also conducted himself with great dignity following the sad loss of his mum.
5 - Amr Zaki v Liverpool
MARTIN SAYS: One of the outstanding arrivals in the Premier League in the second half of 2008. Zaki is a bubbly character who just seems happy to be plying his trade here and that is reflected in his hugely energetic performances on the field. Fair play to Steve Bruce for tracking him for months and convincing him to come to Wigan and give it a go, buy into one of the less fashionable clubs, but you've got to say it has paid off. When that ball fell to him at Anfield, you did think 'he's not going to have a go' but he did and we all know where the ball ended up. It was also nice to see such a special strike so warmly appreciated by the Kop and I know Andy Gray is impressed with him as a centre-forward, a goalscorer and the values he brings to the game.
4 - Ronaldo v Portsmouth
MARTIN SAYS: In many years this would be number one, because it defied all logic, came against England's number one keeper and was one of the 42 goals he amassed last season. Geometrically I don't know how he does it: kicking through the ball, connecting with the valve, planting his standing foot differently, whatever he does, it has remarkable results as we saw against Pompey. The free-kick wasn't even that far out which meant a simple chip up and over the wall wasn't exactly easy in itself. But this was something different. For all his sublime skills, this goal proved one thing - that the greatest players are the hardest workers and you can bet this was borne out of hours spent practising on the training ground. I've seen other players try it in training, but no-one else has mastered it yet.
3 - Glen Johnson v Hull City
MARTIN SAYS: A truly once-in-a-lifetime effort and again, a definite candidate for the very top honour. It was just one of those where the player decided to take responsibility and have a go and when you consider it was with Johnson's left foot, on the volley, it was a wonderful, wonderful goal. Glen has had a good 2008 as well, and is now firmly in Fabio Capello's plans, which is a fair reward. He has always been a good attacking right-back but has improved his defending as well and has also come up with the odd goal as well, but I can't see anything he ever does again comparing to this. It wasn't as if it was one of those where the ball sat for him either; he had to control it on his chest, 35 yards out, hit it on the full with his wrong foot. Like I say, one of those we all dream of, but rarely score!
2 - Ricardo Fuller v Aston Villa
MARTIN SAYS: For me, football is all about the team and this is a goal that owed as much to Stoke's passing - and not Rory Delap's throw-ins - as Fuller's fine control and finish. Delap actually started the move by intercepting a Villa pass and it was moved to Liam Lawrence in the centre circle. His slid-rule ball down the channel and with his back to goal, Fuller produced a sublime turn to leave the defender standing and then, from a tight angle, rifled a low shot past Brad Friedel - in itself no mean feat from there. It was Stoke's first home game in the Premier League and it was vitalm they won it, and thanks to Fuller's finish and a fine move, they did just that. This was a player who had waited a long time to make a mark in our top flight as have Stoke themselves and having learned never to pin labels on sides, it was also proof that there is more to Tony Pulis' side than those long throws.
1 - David Bentley v Arsenal
MARTIN SAYS: First of all, I was lucky enough to be commentating on this. Secondly, to even think or envisage flicking the ball up and volleying it at goal from 40 yards is one thing, but to pull it off is another altogether. Add to that the fact it was in such a thrilling game, in a local derby against his old club and it is not hard to see why David Bentley's wonder goal came out on top in 2008. It was just the start of an amazing night at The Emirates in which Bentley - who always seems to raise his game when he goes back to Arsenal - certainly didn't deserve to be on the losing side. He didn't exactly end the Juande Ramos reign covered in glory, but has never been shy in speaking his mind, or expressing himself on the football pitch and I like that. Really he had no right to even try and do what he did, but he did and it was a goal the like of which you can go from year to year without seeing. All credit to him for that and while we still talk about David Beckham from the halfway line against Wimbledon - when I was also lucky enough to be commentating - we have ended 2008 talking about another DB doing his best to follow in those famous footsteps. Bentley certainly took a giant stride with a simply sensational goal that night.


















Comments (85)
John Arnold (Arsenal fan) says...
What about Nasri's second against united?
Posted 14:23 7th January 2009
Dan Elliott (Birmingham City fan) says...
west ham !!!!!!! there the best around here , but gerrard against newcastle classic toey
Posted 14:17 7th January 2009
Wayne Askew (Manchester United fan) says...
All the comments proves football is a game of differing opinions. I think we`d all come up with a different top 10. For me Geovanni`s v Arsenal has to be in the top 3. Great goal at the Emerits aswell don`t forget!!!
Posted 13:46 7th January 2009
Jed Windass (Leeds United fan) says...
Bentley's goal was an absolute screamer!!!! Andy Gray and Martin Tyler are both living legends!!!
Posted 13:21 7th January 2009
Lewis Fletcher (Manchester United fan) says...
i dont get how ronaldo is not number 1? nobody else in the world can hit a free kick like him and that goal against portsmouth was sheer individual class. dont get me wrong bentleys goal was excellent. but where it landed in the goal had alumnia been on his line he would of caught it no problem so you could blame the keeper for that one. with ronaldos freekick he had a wall and a keeper to beat and hit the ball into the perfect place in the goal. number 1 in my book!
Posted 12:16 7th January 2009
The Dude (Manchester United fan) says...
As many have said, Geovanni against Arsenal should definately be in there haven't seen a sweeter strike of the ball in open play all year. Fuller Number 2 - Deserved i think, if it was any big name player pulling off a turn like that we'd still be hearing about it regularly (Bergkamp against Newcastle springs to mind)
Posted 12:05 7th January 2009
Julieanne Adamson (Sunderland fan) says...
not being biased or anything but some of these selections didnt even receive goal of the month awards...what about kieran richardson's free kick against newcastle??????
Posted 22:28 6th January 2009
Farhan Shahid (Liverpool fan) says...
What about keanes goal against arsenal
Posted 21:58 6th January 2009
Okan Guzel (Arsenal fan) says...
i think Ricardo Fuller's goal was not the second best although it was a good turn and finish. i actually think, well as an arsneal fan you would expect me to say this but Samir Nasri's secong goal vs Man U was spectacular because the through ball (to Nasri) split the defence apart leaving him unmarked was awesome and his finish (top left, which wrong - footed Edwin Van Der Sar) was powerful and accurate and also Man U didnt even get a touch of the ball since the break so it was a well deserved team goal and should be in the top 10.
Posted 21:53 6th January 2009
Mike Hunt (Nottingham Forest fan) says...
Not a Premier League goal but Joe Garner Vs Southampton was better than all of these. 40 - 45 yards out, chipped it over the keeper. World Class
Posted 21:50 6th January 2009
J S (Liverpool fan) says...
Frank Lampards is the best. Dont be ridiculous it was not a crooss you fools. The most well controlled shot on the players wrong foot you will ever see. Of course hes not overrated you fools, hes scored so wany goals he clearly cant be overrated. Robinhos v Arsenal should be higher, to lob a 6 foot odd keeper and get the ball to drop again from so close with defenders running at you is something else.
Posted 21:24 6th January 2009
Adam Tzimas (Arsenal fan) says...
What about Adebayor vs. Tottenham - you all know about THAT volley! It was even motd's goal of the season!
Posted 21:16 6th January 2009
Gooner Rob (Arsenal fan) says...
what about Van Persie's against Liverpool. The way he controlled the long ball and then smacked it into the net with two liverpool defenders on his shoulder.....pure class. P.S Bentley's was a fluke!! (but i would say that!!)
Posted 20:31 6th January 2009
Mike Speakman (Portsmouth fan) says...
Dont know about Fullers being 2nd even though it was great skill but I am suprised that Matthew Taylors for Bolton against West Ham isnt in there. It was a rocket free kick from very far out.
Posted 20:20 6th January 2009
Luke Jefferson (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...
the real side of manchester i really the money side that is the only reason you got robinho, bridge, jo ... i think tugay against reading should be in there 30 odd yards out swiveling half volley!!!
Posted 18:46 6th January 2009
Ryan Galloway (Middlesbrough fan) says...
Elano's free kick against Newcastle and Rochemback's against Man City are both better than some there. Also the ordering is way off. How can you say Bentley's or Fuller's was better than Ronaldo's against Portsmouth!
Posted 17:28 6th January 2009
Steven Gerrard (Everton fan) says...
Liverpool will not win this season its fixed so that man utd will win at the end and FERNANDO TORRES IS MY SEXUAL PARTNER i love him
Posted 17:17 6th January 2009
Matthew Carolan (Manchester United fan) says...
all good choices but for me Glen Johnsons left foot volley was by far the best goal last year in my opinion!To hit the ball with his weaker foot that he hardly ever uses on the volley while it was spinning after he controlled it down from 35 yards out or more was class that not many players have...!Plus he's a defender many strikers would to score goals like that. Don't get me wrong I'm a United fan and thought great goals by welbeck and ronaldo but Johnsons goal was just like him hitting it and saying "and what"!
Posted 16:27 6th January 2009
Richard Butler (Aston Villa fan) says...
the death of football could only possibly fit in the same headline as tony pulis' tactics, utterly disgusted that fuller's goal is in here, so many other goals that deserve to be there than that, its football, not american football, next you'll be calling for roll on - roll off subs for set pieces
Posted 15:57 6th January 2009
Gareth Barnard (Portsmouth fan) says...
Peter Crouch bicycle kick? Bentley is so over rated it wasn't fantastic any other goalkeeper except Almunia or Gomes would have tipped that over. Bentley has made a career out of saying I'm the next Beckham all he does is talk a good game. I've seen him play on a number of occasions and thought he was just standard nothing exciting. Lucky goal in my opinion. Geovanni goals should be up higher,
Posted 15:28 6th January 2009