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The Greatest Goal I Ever Saw: Arsenal's Tony Adams v Everton

by Chris Barrett
31 January 2013 12 Comments

Two years after admitting he was an alcoholic, Tony Adams found glorious redemption with this strike that sealed the Premier League title for Arsenal...

Two years after admitting he was an alcoholic, Tony Adams found glorious redemption with this strike that sealed the Premier League title for Arsenal…

The greatest goal I ever saw happened on Sunday May 3 1998, scored by Tony Adams, created by the puritans and forever etched on the memory of those who still believe in the romance of the beautiful game.

The goal itself came late on, already three-nil up against Everton, the title in the bag, a normally subdued Highbury bathed in the sun kissed innocence of youth, while the Arsenal old guard was about bid it farewell with one last waltz around the dance floor.

Wenger, by this stage two years into his tenure had instilled into his charges an ethos of total football; this from a team who’s idea of adventure previously had been butter on their crumpets. The season proceeding had been a glorious, with wins and reputations changing the fortunes of a side re - born. All of this was personified with swing of a left boot more accustomed to row z than the back of the net.

The ball broke lose on the half way line; it was then that he started his run. Past Platt, past Bould, past Overmars and still he carried on. The ball still not at his feet and with the threat offside looming, he checks his room, if only for second, but long enough for his long severing centre back partner to drift a ball across North London skies, delicate in its placement and cushioned against a pitch seemingly made of pillows, Adams chests to control. Defenders long since gone, the goal and immortality opened up in front of him. It was then that that nation held its breath…

Then came the truly beautiful part, as the world around him went in over drive, fans delirious with joy and as ever exuberant Ian Wright almost jumping clean over the 6ft 3 talisman

Almost two years to the day previously, Adams had admitted to the nation he was an alcoholic. Seeing the personnel failings of a national hero had brought many fans to believe that his time had now passed. With Wenger bringing in a philology alien to most, Adams was now a symbol of a sluggish Arsenal past, soon to be over run by the sleek Gallic future. But on this day, that would all have to wait….

Striking it on the half volley as sweet as he could hope for, the ball torpedoed towards the net, nestling in the bottom right hand with the keeper just a passing memory, the crowd escaped into rapture. Then came the truly beautiful part, as the world around him went in over drive, fans delirious with joy and as ever exuberant Ian Wright almost jumping clean over the 6ft 3 talisman, Adams pulled up. Shortening his stride and extending his arms, he squeezed his eyes closed and drank in the moment, not alone did he bury the finish, he buried everything else along with it.

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image descriptionCOMMENTS

iwishbalewasmyboyfriend 1:38 pm, 11-Mar-2011

nice piece. Got shivers down my spine wathing the goal after reading it.

Pete 2:11 pm, 11-Mar-2011

Most definitely the best. The pic of him from behind with his arms out always make me bubble with pride.

ajones420 5:32 pm, 11-Mar-2011

the greatest

Collie 6:02 pm, 11-Mar-2011

"The ball still not at his feet and with the threat offside looming, he checks his room, if only for second, but long enough for his long severing centre back partner to drift a ball across North London skies, delicate in its placement and cushioned against a pitch seemingly made of pillows, Adams chests to control" What f**king language is this supposed to be?

ajones420 5:00 pm, 12-Apr-2011

collie, howwww retarded are you?

Jimmy the blue 12:36 am, 5-Aug-2011

As a Blue in the North Bank upper tier that day I had a great view of Adams scoring that goal. To be honest I wish I hadn't, but would have missed one of the most complete footballing teams around of that time. Plus, witnessing 'Donkey' Adams score such a sweet half volley with his left peg, from the edge of the box was a nice reminder that footballers with all their earnings don't have to be politically correct all of the time.

I'm with Collie 12:44 am, 5-Aug-2011

What a load of unreadable tosh. Somebody's taken a leaf out of Adams' book and got themselves shit faced before writing this.

Arsene-al 2:01 am, 5-Aug-2011

I think they should show the current crop of players videos of arsenals past, just to get them pumped up and full of pride

eddymc2 2:28 pm, 22-Nov-2011

"...Adams, put through by Bould WOULD YA BELIEVE IT???!!! That sums it all up!!!"

Stan Dalglish 6:54 pm, 31-Jan-2013

I love this goal and I am not even a Gooner. Okay, I'm a Liverpool fan and the goal was against the Bitters but this was already stated, Redemption. I was never really a fan of Adams but that change when he publically admitted his off field issues. Since then, I read his book and have nothing but utter respect for the guy. Played the game for the right reasons and is now putting something back with his Charity, Sporting Chance. A true Legend.

Dav 6:57 pm, 31-Jan-2013

That goal meant so much to my wife and I. We had been regularly attending matches that season and she had been discussing the footie with her dad throughtout but he died suddenly just as Arsenal hit that slump typfied by the home performance v Blackburn. The recovery almost mimiced our own personal emotional rollercoaster. Adams was my wife's favourite player and watching him (from the West stand) score that goal it felt like he'd done it for us. We were both in tears. It still brings a lump to my throat now. Nothing has come close for me since

Ross 6:57 pm, 31-Jan-2013

My favourite goal as well, summed up our season, still gives me chills

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