Remember those late June whispers regarding a sophomore slump for Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco? Yeah, suggestions of Giovinco’s apparent demise had been greatly exaggerated. The Italian registered his MLS-leading 16th goal on Saturday — it was his eighth goal in six MLS matches dating back to July 24th.
Things got a little out of hand during an English League One match between Oxford United and Peterborough United on Saturday. With neither side enjoying the finest of starts in England’s third tier, the awarding of a penalty in the third minute of second-half stoppage had major implications with the scores level at 1-1.
Leigh Griffiths played like a man possessed (as did Kolo Toure) during Celtic’s 5-2 victory over Hapoel Be’er Sheva in their first-leg Champions League playoff victory at Celtic Park. The Scottish striker almost willed Celtic into the Champions League group stage with two goals and an assist on the night.
While Jozy Altidore’s goalscoring record for Sunderland will always torment him like a black spot, a piece of low-hanging fruit for doubters who refuse to recognize his enormous talent, those who’ve followed his career of late will know that it’s his troublesome hamstrings which remain his personal Kryptonite.
"Hully" s**t what a goal!! Adama Diomandé sure made Hull's first goal back in the Premier League a spalsh. The hosts surged to a 1-0 lead with just moments left before the half time whistle after Kasper Schmeichel made one great save but could not contain the acrobatic bicycle kick from the man in gold and black. Leicester did not look like the unbelievable team they were last year but hey cut them some slack, lots of pressure to take on Hull in their first match up.
Football is back and, apparently, better than ever. Liverpool and Arsenal played out a seven goal thriller in London, the Merseyside club racing to a 4-1 lead before surrendering two late goals and giving Arsene Wenger’s men a brief moment of joy.
After a first half for Manchester United that could be described as "about as anonymous as is possible," Zlatan made good on his track record in major league debuts and scored from 25 yards out. He's now scored in every major league debut: La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Champions League...and Premier League.
Here's his long shot at the 64' that managed to slip past Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc:
In two seasons with Sunderland, Jermain Defoe has managed to save Sunderland from relegation twice. Goals are key to survival, and Defoe consistently provides them from the forward position. He’s been doing so for almost sixteen years — since his Premier League debut with West Ham United during the 2000-01 season.
Defoe’s greatest EPL return was 18 goals during the 2009-10 season. You’d expect, at 33 years of age, that his goalscoring ability would’ve plummeted since then. You’d be wrong.
This is 100 percent, absolutely, undeniably intentional from Lionel Messi. Even if it had been a mis-hit, this would’ve been a world-class goal from Barcelona. As it stands, this bicycle assist from Messi to Luis Suarez is one of the most absurd team goals you’ll ever witness.
Andres Iniesta’s pass over the U.C. Sampdoria defense is perfectly timed — it finds Messi streaming through totally unmarked. But it’s what happens next that’s simply unreal. You can’t create team goals like this in EA Sports’ FIFA, only the real version of Barca can pull off magic like this.
Chicharito Hernandez had a monster season last year, and he's having a monster pre-season to follow that. The Little Pea has two goals so far, including one Wednesday in Bayer Leverkusen's 2-1 friendly win against German fourth-division side Kickers Offenbach.
It was just a dink, but dinks count just the same as golazos, something that, as a poacher, Chicharito has seemingly staked his career on.