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Charlie Adam’s goal for Stoke at Chelsea: Where does it rank?

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois fails to keep out a 64-yard 'worldy' strike from Stoke's Charlie Adam

Stoke’s Charlie Adam stunned Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with a 64-yard strike over the head of Thibaut Courtois.

It was an effort that bore comparison to the other long-range goals that have been scored in the Premier League, from David Beckham to Wayne Rooney.

Here we recap the great goals that have been scored from distance, but which one do you think was the best?

Wayne Rooney, West Ham v MAN UTD in 2014

Rooney broke the deadlock in extraordinary style for David Moyes’ Manchester United at Upton Park last season. The England captain showed his strength to shrug off the attentions of James Tomkins and, spotting Adrian off his line, lobbed the ball over the West Ham goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Rooney added a second later in the first half to secure a 2-0 win.

Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney shoots to score the opening goal during the English Premier League football match against West Ham United
Image: Wayne Rooney shoots to score the opening goal during the game against West Ham

Maynor Figueroa, Stoke v WIGAN in 2009

Figueroa showed impressive quick thinking to score for Wigan against Stoke when his team was awarded a free-kick for a foul by Robert Huth near the halfway line. As everyone, including Potters goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, appeared to switch off, Figueroa acted – running straight on to the stationary ball and drilling a shot over the Dane and into the net.  The game finished 2-2.

More from Chelsea V Stoke

Maynor Figueroa of Wigan celebrates scoring a long range goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Stoke in 2009
Image: Maynor Figueroa of Wigan celebrates scoring against Stoke in 2009

Xabi Alonso, LIVERPOOL v Newcastle in 2006

Alonso had already scored from his own half in 2006 during an FA Cup victory over Luton in January but his September effort for Liverpool against Newcastle surpassed even that. The Spaniard launched the ball from the edge of the centre circle inside his own half to completely outfox Magpies goalkeeper Steve Harper late on in a 2-0 win at Anfield.

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso celebrates scoring a long range goal against Newcastle United during their English Premiership football match in 2006
Image: Liverpool's Xabi Alonso celebrates scoring against Newcastle in 2006

David Beckham, Wimbledon v MAN UTD in 1996

Beckham would go on to become a cultural icon as well as an England captain but he had not yet played for his country when taking the field at Selhurst Park in August 1996. Spotting Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan off his line, the Manchester United man connected exquisitely to loft the ball into the net and cap a 3-0 victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

David Beckham celebrates after scoring from the halfway line, during the Premier League match between Wimbledon and Man Utd at Selhurst Park in 1996
Image: David Beckham celebrates after scoring against Wimbledon in 1996

And the goalkeepers…

Three goalkeepers have scored from their own half in the Premier League. Tottenham’s Paul Robinson was the first in March 2007 when he caught out Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster. His free-kick bounced over Foster’s head and into the back of the net to score Spurs’ second goal in a  3-0 win. Tim Howard repeated the feat with a wind-assisted effort to beat Bolton’s Adam Bogdan in 2012 but Everton were still beaten 2-1 by the Trotters at Goodison Park. Most recently, Asmir Begovic scored for Stoke after just 13 seconds – beating Southampton’s Artur Boruc in a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s in 2013.

Thibaut Courtois falls into his net after conceding from Charlie Adam's long-range effort
Image: Thibaut Courtois falls into his net after conceding from Charlie Adam's strike

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