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Peter Anderson ✒ on the panache and skill of Denis Bergkamp. 

A few weeks ago I had a great day with the mates watching the FA Cup final. A bit of a disagreement arose over which goal is the Premier League's greatest. As usual, with the drink in, the banter increased to hilarious proportions. 

The Man U fans, predictably attempting to needle me, said that Wayne Rooney's overhead kick against City was the best. I felt it was my duty to point out that, if you watch the video carefully, he shins it, so it was a fluke. I posited that my vote for the best ever EPL goal went to Dennis Bergkamp for his thing of beauty against Newcastle. Rarely before has a statement divided a room so much! Half of the room believed it to be a fluke and half of the room agreed with me.

Bergkamp's wonder goal against Newcastle United.

Bergkamp was a joy to watch as a player. Intelligence, class and a deft touch were his qualities that lit up the EPL in the late 90s and early noughties. I loved the rivalry that arose between Wenger and Ferguson, Viera and Keane, Keown and Van Nistelrooy. They were the dominant forces in English football for over a decade and they both provided great entertainment but for me the best player of that time was Bergkamp. His partnerships with Wright and then Henry were delightful. His goals and assists were incredible. 

His best, and for me the best in EPL history, was against Newcastle in 2002. The flick, the pirouette, the strength to hold off the defender and the cool slotted finish make it unique. We have seen many overhead kicks, scissor-kicks, dribbles and long range piledrivers but we have seen nothing, before or since, like Bergkamp's masterpiece.  


But which side of the room are you on? Fluke or genius?

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

A Dutch Master

Peter Anderson ✒ on the panache and skill of Denis Bergkamp. 

A few weeks ago I had a great day with the mates watching the FA Cup final. A bit of a disagreement arose over which goal is the Premier League's greatest. As usual, with the drink in, the banter increased to hilarious proportions. 

The Man U fans, predictably attempting to needle me, said that Wayne Rooney's overhead kick against City was the best. I felt it was my duty to point out that, if you watch the video carefully, he shins it, so it was a fluke. I posited that my vote for the best ever EPL goal went to Dennis Bergkamp for his thing of beauty against Newcastle. Rarely before has a statement divided a room so much! Half of the room believed it to be a fluke and half of the room agreed with me.

Bergkamp's wonder goal against Newcastle United.

Bergkamp was a joy to watch as a player. Intelligence, class and a deft touch were his qualities that lit up the EPL in the late 90s and early noughties. I loved the rivalry that arose between Wenger and Ferguson, Viera and Keane, Keown and Van Nistelrooy. They were the dominant forces in English football for over a decade and they both provided great entertainment but for me the best player of that time was Bergkamp. His partnerships with Wright and then Henry were delightful. His goals and assists were incredible. 

His best, and for me the best in EPL history, was against Newcastle in 2002. The flick, the pirouette, the strength to hold off the defender and the cool slotted finish make it unique. We have seen many overhead kicks, scissor-kicks, dribbles and long range piledrivers but we have seen nothing, before or since, like Bergkamp's masterpiece.  


But which side of the room are you on? Fluke or genius?

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

Denis Bergkamp Peter Anderson Soccer

11 comments:

  1. JLynn42411:32 AM, June 08, 2021

    As a Man United supporter, I totally agree that Bergkamp's goal was the better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Peter1:47 PM, June 08, 2021

    JLynn424

    ...and that Rooney shinned the overhead kick vs City?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AM9:20 PM, June 08, 2021

    And he was so modest about it. I loved that comment by one of the pundits that he could play on snow without leaving footprints. A joy to watch. Must think about my own favourite. I am tempted to say the Jimmy case goal against Man U in the 77 FA Cup final

    ReplyDelete
  4. Steve R11:36 PM, June 08, 2021

    The Non Flying Dutchman edges it. Shrek's overhead effort still required a lot of skill regardless that it came off his shin.

    A special mention to Sir Didier for this effort though.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj1AqNw6nhk

    ReplyDelete
  5. Peter7:46 AM, June 09, 2021

    AM
    The docu where Ian Wright goes to meet him is a must watch.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ronan2:58 PM, June 09, 2021

    Stevie G, circa 2009 scored 2 screamers in a home lge game 🆚 Aston 🍨 Villa.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Boyne Rover10:29 AM, June 10, 2021

    Could arsenal have won European Cup if Bergkamp had been unafraid of flying we'll never know but it would've been interesting

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AM3:30 PM, June 10, 2021

      I read that he did fly up until an engine failed on the way to the World Cup in the USA with the Dutch team.

      Delete
    2. Barry Gilheany5:28 PM, June 10, 2021

      I think the Gunners could have won the 2006 Final against Barca had Jans Lehman not been sent off so early in the game after they went ahead. His dismissal changed the dynamic of the Final and not in a good way.

      Delete
  8. Peter2:30 PM, June 10, 2021

    Boyne Rover

    Good point, I'd forgot about his no-fly policy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Boyne Rover4:05 PM, June 10, 2021

    AM
    That's very true what shame he struggled badly in that tournament making people believe he had a virus the top players need to play in the top games to have a chance to showcase themselves Bergkamp was a good player

    ReplyDelete

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