In what is something of a rarity, the Mackems managed to score 10 goals in the five games January offered to us, the most since August, mainly due to scoring six past League 2 side Exeter City. So we have a lot of goals to choose from in this month’s featured games, however, the variety of goalscorers has unfortunately not changed just yet. Two of Patrick Van Aanholt’s deflected strikes against Aston Villa and Swansea respectively will not feature as they have since been marked as own goals. Here are how we’ve ranked the top three goals of the month:
3. Jeremain Lens vs Arsenal – FA Cup Third Round
A bit of a defensive nightmare from the home side in this one, but Lens’ composure and drive won the ball back from Laurent Koscielny’s moment of madness at the edge of the box, only for Lens to hit it well past Petr Cech and give the Wearsider’s a lead early on. The game was unfortunately to finish 3-1 to the holders, but it was an impressive strike from the Dutchman.
2. Patrick Van Aanholt vs Spurs – Matchday 22
This goal was more down to the play prior to the finish. It was a good strike from the full-back, whose prolific scoring of late was bound to see him getting on the list somewhere, however Adam Johnson’s pass really made the goal happen, as it cut through the home side’s defence allowing the former Chelsea man to lose the in-form Dele Alli and latch onto the ball and beat Lloris at his near post. A great effort, which gave the visitors a 1-0 lead, however, it lasted less than a minute and they would lose the game 4-1.
1. Jermain Defoe’s 1st vs Aston Villa – Matchday 20
Another goal which was created by a phenomenal pass, but everything about the finish was completed by fantastic footwork and a strong foot behind the ball. The score was 1-1, the visitors equalised 10 minutes prior, and Adam Johnson got the ball at the halfway line before launching what was a fantastic outside of the foot knock forward to the lone striker Defoe, whose first touch was inspiring, before dragging the ball around Joleon Lescott with ease to beat Brad Guzan at his near post, giving the Mackems their lead again. Defoe went on to score again in extra time, which wasn’t a bad finish in itself either, to complete the 3-1 rout at the Stadium Of Light, and it was a very important victory in what was a relegation dogfight.
