The English Premier League stands as the globe’s most watched sports league, captivating fans around the world with games filled with drama and passion. Amidst the excitement of competitive competition, very few moments rival the sheer elation that comes from a goal being scored. Whether it’s a simple tap-in at the back post or a thunderous volley from 30 yards out, each goal alters the course of the game and ignites millions of football fans worldwide. But beyond the thrill and excitement of the ball nestling into the back of the net lies another crucial element that adds to the spectacle: the goal celebrations!
From the iconic to the downright comical, some Premier League goal celebrations are as memorable as the goals that they follow. In the next edition of The Edit, we’ll reflect on some of the most iconic goal celebrations from the Premier League, exploring the funniest, most ridiculous, and bizarre goal celebrations in recent times.
Robbie Fowler’s infamous line sniffing gag.
Following his goal in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in 1999, Robbie Fowler stirred controversy with his celebration. He knelt down in front of the opposition supporters. Put a finger to his nostril. Then crawled along the byline whilst pretending to sniff it.
Fowler’s imitation of snorting a line of cocaine drew widespread criticism. Though his manager, Gerard Houllier, attempted to downplay the incident by claiming that Fowler was merely pretending to eat the grass. Nonetheless, the FA hit Fowler with a four-game ban and fined him £32,000 for his actions.
Fowler’s celebration stemmed from years of targeted abuse from the Everton fans, with unfounded allegations of drug use against him. Love it, or hate it, it remains one of the most controversial goal celebrations in the history of the Premier League.
Source: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/
Emmanuel Adebayor on his reunion with Arsenal.
Emmanuel Adebayor, once a fan favourite at the Emirates, became public enemy number one with the Arsenal fans when he departed for Manchester City in 2009. His first appearance against his former club saw him subjected to relentless booing throughout from the travelling Gooners. But, when Adebayor rose highest to convert a Shaun Wright-Phillips cross, he seized the opportunity to taunt the visiting Arsenal supporters.
What followed has etched itself into Premier League history. The Togolese striker sprinted the full length of the pitch. Executed a euphoric knee slide. Then sat arms outstretched right in front of the Arsenal supporters.
Adebayor was slapped with a £25,000 fine by the FA, while also being handed a two-game ban. The celebration is iconic, and almost started a riot in the away section. The perfect example of shithousery, and we love it!
Source: https://www.squawka.com/
Luis Suarez takes a dive in front of the Everton bench.
Luis Suarez is a player that revelled in the dark arts of the game. That was evident in 2012 during a heated Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton at Goodison Park. Ahead of the match, Everton manager David Moyes had accused Suarez of diving and suggested he could influence the referee into making hasty decisions against his team.
It turned out to be the worst thing Moyes could have said. Just 14 minutes into the game, Suarez scored for Liverpool. The forward sprinted towards the dugouts. Then, upon reaching the Everton bench, Suarez jumped up, and launched into a very deliberate swan-dive right in front of the Everton boss. To be fair to Moyes, he took it with good grace.
It is a celebration that has gone down in Premier League folklore, and highlights just how much of a shithouse Luis Suarez was. Another great celebration, and another Merseyside derby entrant.
Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/
Jimmy Bullard ticks off his teammates at the Etihad.
The half-time team talk represents an opportunity for players and managers to regroup, reassess, and make tactical adjustments. In 2008, Phil Brown chose a rather unconventional approach during Hull City’s match against Manchester City. Following a woeful first-half display, Brown gathered his players in front of the away supporters and delivered a scathing dressing-down right there on the pitch.
Fast forward to the same fixture in 2009, and Jimmy Bullard changed the narrative. After scoring an equalising penalty for Hull City, the charismatic midfielder orchestrated a celebration that would go down in Premier League history. Sitting his teammates down in a circle around him, Bullard playfully wagged his finger at them in response to his manager’s infamous reaction just 12 months earlier.
The celebration cleverly poked fun at the manager. Rumour has it that Phil Brown also enjoyed the celebration. Undoubtedly, this remains one of the most iconic and memorable celebrations in Premier League history.
Source: https://www.planetfootball.com/
Jurgen Klinsmann dives his way into the heart of English football.
In the summer of 1994, Tottenham made headlines by signing Jurgen Klinsmann, one of the leading strikers in world football at the time. However, the German arrived in England under a cloud of controversy. The British press branded him as an arrogant cheat due to allegations of diving in previous high profile matches. Klinsmann’s reception was far from warm. Fans and tabloids alike made it clear that any attempts to deceive referees would not be tolerated in English football.
His Premier League debut came against Sheffield Wednesday. Klinsmann was greeted with a chorus of boos from fans who held aloft diving scorecards. Despite the hostile atmosphere, Klinsmann showcased his quality on the pitch. His big moment arrived with Spurs leading 3-2. A cross from Darren Anderton found the German forward who perfectly executed an unstoppable bullet header.
While the goal itself was good, it was Klinsmann’s celebration that will stick in the memory.
Leading his new teammates into the infamous dive routine, Klinsmann quickly endeared himself into the hearts of English football fans.
Source: https://premierleague25years.wordpress.com/
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