Since Peter Schmeichel netted against Volgograd in the mid 90's, the sight of a goalkeepers name on the score sheet has become less rare as managers, in a last desperate throw of the dice send the keeper into the area to cause a bit of mayhem. This has always annoyed me, because the same manager will always leave 1 or 2 defenders back covering against the break. Surely this defies the objective, as you are leaving players who are used to heading the ball back on halfway, whilst a player who heads the ball once or twice a season is sent into the box for the corner. I've always thought sticking the keeper on the half way line to mop up, and sending all of the outfield players into the mix would be more effective, but, because sometimes it works, managers seem determined to send the glovewearer into unfamiliar territory! I don't count these goals as real keepers efforts though. As funny as they are, they are not the real thing.
As I rack my memory, I can only remember seeing 3 other proper jobs. Pat Jennings v Man United courtesy of an old video. Steve Ogrizovic vs Sheffield Wednesday and Paul Robinson v Watford. I know there have been others, but I just can't remember them. A proper keepers goal has to be launched from miles away, with the ball starting behind all of the other 21 players on the pitch. From hand or from the floor doesn't matter. It will usually involve a gust of wind or a freak bounce. It will also leave the opposing keeper (be it Stepney, Hodge, Foster or Bogdan) groping wildly at thin air, whilst their legs pedal backwards in despair. They are beautiful things. Sometimes there is nothing quite like watching one guy punt a ball 100 yards to score. Nothing wrong with Route 1 when it's done well!!!!
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