Last weekend, Phil Jones was denied what would have been a world-class own goal during the Chelsea vs Manchester United match. A beautiful cross was met with a superb volley by Jones which flew into the top corner of the net. Referee Anthony Taylor proved to be a spoilsport though. He disallowed the goal due to Morata’s push on good old Phil. Sheesh.
Own goals can often be very funny to watch, unless the team you support are the ones doing the conceding, of course. The players who put through their own nets usually have a range of emotions displayed on their faces. Disbelief, anguish, shame, resignation. In that order. Many own goal scorers usually display mental strength and a determination not to let it affect their minds for the rest of the game.
However, there was one player who displayed a determination to score an own goal again, and then again. A round of applause for Staf Van Den Buys. During Anderlecht’s 3-2 win over Germinal Ekerken in the 1995-96 season, all three of their goals were scored by the Ekeren player. A hat-trick of own goals. Truly commendable.
Special mention to Aston Villa’s Chris Nicholl who also pulled off a remarkable feat in March 1976. He scored all four goals in a 2-2 draw against Leicester. How can you not respect someone who scores twice for his own team and twice for the opponents? He would surely have won the FIFA Fair Play Award that year if it had been available.
Hopefully, we all get to appreciate another spectacularly (legal) own goal soon enough.
Oladimeji Sapoloso