‘BOOM!!!!!!!!’: British Soccer Star Scores ‘Stunning’ Bicycle-Kick Goal
- Posted on February 12, 2011 at 5:56pm by
Scott Baker
- Print »
- Email »
LONDON , England (AP) — Wayne Rooney said it was the best goal he‘s scored and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson called it the greatest strike he’s seen in 25 years at Old Trafford.
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart didn’t even move.
Rooney used a spectacular bicycle kick with his back to the goal for the 2-1 win over rival Man City.
The United and England striker leaped to meet a right-wing cross with an overhead strike that flew into the top corner after 77 minutes.
“I saw it coming over and I thought why not? Nine times out of 10 they go into the stand,” Rooney told Sky Sports.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who sat out the game with an injury, posted his reaction on Twitter.
“Wow….what a goal by ROOOOOOONEY!!! What a way to win the derby!!” he tweeted, before adding: “That bicycle kick was one dirty strike…POW…what a strike what a goal what a netbuster!!”
Even golfers Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy, playing in the Dubai Desert Classic, commented. McIlroy simply tweeted; “BOOM!!!!!!!!”
Ferguson said the quality of the strike reminded him of United great Denis Law, who scored 171 goals in his stellar career at the club.
“It was stunning,” Ferguson said. “We’ve had some fantastic goals here but in terms of execution … you’ll never see that.”
Nani had given United a first-half lead with a neat control and finish, before City equalized with a deflected effort in the 64th.
“(Nani’s goal) was an unbelievable goal, but nobody in their right sense will even talk about it,” Ferguson said. “All the talk will be about that winning goal — unbelievable.”
The goal was all the more surprising given Rooney’s indifferent season so far. Coming off a disappointing World Cup in June, he’d scored only four league goals until Saturday.
In October, the 25-year-old former Everton player threatened to leave Manchester United because he was not given the assurances he wanted about the club’s future.
Two days later, he changed his mind and signed a new five-year contract, with reports suggesting it could be worth up to $400,000 a week.
His form slowly picked up, and he has been overshadowed by Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov. He has a league-leading 19 goals this season, including a stunning overhead kick of his own in a hat trick against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Ferguson took a risk by leaving Berbatov on the bench against City. He gave Rooney a lone striker role and it paid off.
But the United manager still wants more offense.
“I hope that is Wayne back to his best,” he said. “I have to say, what I need to get out of Wayne and Berbatov are performances away from home that are as good as they are at home.”
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 694 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 662 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 363 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 248 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (75)
katzenbacker73
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 7:21pmGreat stuff!
Report Post »Lion420
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 7:18pmSomeone actually scored a goal!!!!!!! That’s a big deal in the world of soccer…erm…Football…
orionjwh
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 7:17pmImpressive, Most Impressive…
Report Post »WireWizard
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 7:17pmDarn, the video was removed.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 10:03pmThe top one is a picture. The second one is the video.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 7:09pm@DashRipRock
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:34pm
I never was much of a soccer fan.
——————————–
Neither was I, but that score was better than — than — voting Obama out of office? No, nothing would be better than that!
TERMLIMITSNOW
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 7:00pmshowoff
Report Post »jmmjr49er
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 7:00pmBrilliant. Why Can’t Rooney do that for England in the World Cup?
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:24amTo many Great players, and he’s not used to some of the players! Timing is everything on a play like this! I’ve broken, ribs, toes, have had black eyes, and a broken neck from the game! Its a rough sport and I would compare fitness to Hockey!…… As far as roughness, I think hockey is ranked number one!
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:56pmThanks Scott…. I needed something to smile about. It is always wonderful to see someone give EVERYTHING they’ve got to win thinking nothing at all about a possible injury (that’s the nurse in me speaking…about possible injuries). Keep up the great work on bringing us the best in the news.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:47pmExcuse me~~~~$400,000.00 a week? This is definitely one of the reasons our world is in the mess it’s in. How about $100 a game or less, so we all can play and everyone can come see the games. GEE whiz, guys. Makes me want to throw up! And our REAL teachers? What do they make??????
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:12amI would love to play for them and I would go along with 100.00 a week! Its for the love of the Game! Do you know an Average Midfielder runs about six to six and half mile per match!…. He’s one of the best in World! If you have ever seen MU play,and the speed of play they play at you’d relize their Exceptional!…. We’ve had football players come out and run with us and last about 15 miutes!
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:18amI would Love to play for MU and if they only paid me 100.00 per week, I’d do it! I love the game!.. I played Baseball and Football through High School; it diesn’t compare to Soccer! An average Midfielder, averages about six and a half miles per match! Even more when you play for MU! The speed that MU plays at, is one of the best in the world! Its Amazing! For the Love of the Game!….
Report Post »darasen
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 4:36pmReally? This tired old argument? It is called capitalism and it works.
Report Post »Rob
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:34pmIs this ESPN?
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:34pmI never was much of a soccer fan.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:32pmThat goal was a thing of beauty. My husband coached all our kids and was a FIFA ref – the skill involved in that shot was amazing.
Report Post »PlanetXenu
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:28pmawesome!!!!! :D
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:27pmThat was amazing!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:26pmWell done indeed.
Report Post »fauxleopard {gallery of fat blokes}
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 7:37pmYes well done!
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:25pmWhat???? Mid coast Maine Patriot???? Another Mainer here? Did you vote for the whoopie pie or the blueberry pie?
Report Post »Maineman65
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 7:55pmThere are several of us here it looks like
Report Post »CountMeIn
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:30pmI lived in Maine when I was a child but my family left when I was still young. Still have wonderful memories of that beautiful state.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:24pmThere is THE HIT, THE CATCH, and now THE GOAL
Report Post »QuantumVerp
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:19pmSo you throw your upper body down to the ground which you know is where your feet were just a moment before you threw them up in the air using some of the body‘s downward motion to sling your kicking leg towards the goal you can see from the corner of your eye even though it’s behind a blade of grass… and ya made it!
I think you’d a got in trouble had you missed! Way to go!
Report Post »MysteryMan2
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 7:53pmWow!! That’s really breaking it down Quantumverp *~* LOL! The timing is what was critical, had he missed the ball completely, it would have looked really bad!! As he said “9 times out of 10 (even if you kick it) it goes goes into the stands”.
Report Post »MysteryMan2
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:14pmI don’t watch Soccer, but that is one cool move!! Score!!!
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:24pmNeither do I and that was cool.
Report Post »DUMBASPELOSI
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 8:43pmNeither do I. Soccer is an action of constant motion – with spurts of effort that usually results in nothing. I prefer reading the phone book.
Abby Normal
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:19amI’ve played it all my life, one of the best team sports to play – the beautiful game! It is not high scoring, and the American public wants goals, so it has not caught on here like it should. Get out there and try the game, then when you learn the rules, and have a nuance for it, you will enjoy watching it better…but being a 4th or 5th tier sport here, can’t say as I blame anyone for not watching it…play on!
Report Post »midcoastmainepatriot
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:12pmWow !!!!!!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:11pmYaaaah. Good for the special Olympics. Do they all get a participation trophy?
Report Post »EZDOZIT
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:09pmDo it again.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:08pmSo what ?
Report Post »Obama does it all the time
/Chris Matthews
;-)
poverty.sucks
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:04pmGoooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaal
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:16pm@SirBaker why would you state you’ll never see that when you just revealed it?
Report Post »clockn63
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 6:04pmVery cool!!!!
Report Post »MR_ANDERSON
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 11:29pmVery impressive!
He didn’t even juggle it.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:04am.
That was cool, shame soccer is a waste of time far as sports go.
Abby Normal
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:04amI’ve done that, in college, tied the game 1-1 doing it, and Pele did it on a somewhat regular basis! This is nothing new, but it was an outstanding strike, I’ll give him that. Also, at that level of play it is much harder to do, in front of all those people, and pro defenses are just plain better than what I faced!
Report Post »TommyWiseau
Posted on February 14, 2011 at 4:57amcool story bro
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:57am-SpankDaMonkey-
It’s the most watched sport in the world, professor. No big deal that you’ve missed the boat. Soccer has puh-lenty of fans without ya.
Report Post »