So Close! Watch the best Nearly goals in premier League history
Football is a game of fine margins, and sometimes the most memorable moments aren’t (goals in premier League history) the goals that go in, but the ones that almost did. Over the years, the Premier League has given fans countless unforgettable moments when a ball seemed destined for the back of the net, only to be denied by a last-ditch block, a miraculous save, or the width of a post.
These “nearly” goals have become part of footballing folklore, often leaving players, managers, and fans alike with their heads in their hands.
1. Steven Gerrard vs. Chelsea (2014)
The Context:
Few matches in Premier League history carry the weight of Liverpool’s clash against Chelsea in April 2014. Liverpool, chasing their first league title in over two decades, needed a win to stay ahead of Manchester City. Entering the game on a wave of confidence after a long unbeaten run, the team led by Brendan Rodgers felt destiny was on their side.
The Nearly Moment:
In one of the game’s key moments, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard had a chance to redeem himself after a fateful slip earlier in the match that allowed Demba Ba to score for Chelsea. Gerrard struck a vicious long-range shot from outside the box that seemed destined for the top corner. However, Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer produced a remarkable save, tipping the ball just past the post.
Why It’s Memorable:
Had Gerrard scored, it might have changed the course of Liverpool’s season. Instead, the near miss symbolized their agonizingly close failure to clinch the title, and the moment added another layer to Gerrard’s complex Premier League legacy. That shot, had it gone in, could have erased the infamous slip and possibly rewritten Liverpool’s history.
2. Thierry Henry vs. Manchester United (2004)
The Context:
Thierry Henry, arguably the best striker in Premier League history, was known for scoring jaw-dropping goals, and Arsenal’s rivalry with Manchester United was at its peak during the early 2000s. In 2004, Henry was at the top of his game, spearheading Arsenal’s “Invincibles” season where they went unbeaten throughout the campaign.
The Nearly Moment:
During a heated clash with Manchester United, Henry attempted one of the most audacious strikes in Premier League history. With his back to goal and under pressure from the United defense, Henry flicked the ball up to himself and unleashed a volley over his shoulder from 25 yards. The ball dipped and swerved toward the top corner, only for United’s goalkeeper Roy Carroll to get a fingertip to it and tip it onto the crossbar.
Why It’s Memorable:
Henry’s near miss remains one of the most talked-about moments in Premier League lore. It demonstrated the audacity, technical ability, and instinctive genius of the French forward. Had the ball gone in, it would likely be considered one of the greatest goals ever scored, cementing Henry’s legacy as not just a great goalscorer but a scorer of great goals.
3. Paul Scholes vs. Barcelona (2008)
The Context:
Paul Scholes, the legendary Manchester United midfielder, was known for his long-range shooting ability and for stepping up in big moments. In the 2007/08 season, Manchester United faced Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals, with the tie balanced on a knife’s edge.
The Nearly Moment:
During a Premier League game against Barcelona’s defensive counterparts in a domestic clash, Scholes attempted a trademark thunderous strike from outside the box. The ball flew like a rocket, and as it swerved through the air, it seemed certain to end up in the top corner. Yet again, the goalkeeper had other ideas, as Victor Valdes acrobatically tipped it onto the post.
Why It’s Memorable:
Scholes’ effort would have been a vintage strike from one of England’s finest midfielders. His ability to change games with his shooting was legendary, and though he didn’t score on this occasion, it’s a shot that fans still talk about, showing how “nearly” moments often carry as much weight as actual goals.
4. Luis Suárez vs. Norwich City (2012)
The Context:
Luis Suárez had a special relationship with Norwich City during his time at Liverpool. The Uruguayan striker seemed to score wonder goals every time he faced them (goals in premier League history), including a stunning hat-trick in 2012, but his best effort against Norwich was one that didn’t count.
The Nearly Moment:
Suárez, just inside the Norwich half, noticed the goalkeeper off his line and unleashed an outrageous lob from close to 50 yards out (goals in premier League history). The ball sailed over the goalkeeper and dipped dramatically but clipped the top of the crossbar and bounced away. Had it gone in, it would have been one of the greatest long-range goals in Premier League history.
Why It’s Memorable:
Suárez was known for his unpredictability and audacity, and this effort against Norwich encapsulated those qualities. The precision, vision, and skill to attempt such a shot from that distance were breathtaking (goals in premier League history).
5. Wayne Rooney vs. Arsenal (2017)
The Context:
Wayne Rooney was no stranger to scoring great goals. From his debut stunner against Arsenal to his famous overhead kick in the Manchester derby, Rooney’s ability to find the back of the net in spectacular fashion was well documented.
The Nearly Moment:
In a match against Arsenal in 2017, Rooney unleashed (goals in premier League history)a ferocious volley from just outside the box. The ball swerved and dipped towards the top corner, but Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Čech, at full stretch, managed to get a hand to it, pushing it onto the post before it bounced out of play.
