This week in football provided us with a host of delightful goals and skill moves from some of the best in the game. A round of midweek fixtures across Europe gave us extra material to work with this time around, as the races at the top of tables begin to heat up heading into the cool of November. Many a familiar face were on target, and a few sleepers made their way onto our radar this time around, as well. From Santi Cazorla’s delightful footwork to Vladimir Darida’s piledriver, check out our GIF Gallery: The Best Golazos and Skill Moves of the Week.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
16. Santi Cazorla Nutmegs Michael Essien
Date: 10/30/2013
Match: Chelsea @ Arsenal
Ground: The Emirates
The tricky Spaniard was at it again midweek, as he played Michael Essien like a fiddle during Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to the Blues. A player like Essien was never going to let Cazorla go after he did him like that.
15. Asmir Begovic's 100-yard Bomb
Date: 11/2/2013
Match: Southampton @ Stoke
Ground: The Brittania
Any time a keeper scores it's going to make top plays of the week. We're pretty sure Begovic wasn't going for goal here, but we're pretty sure he'll take all the plaudits. This was also the fastest goal by a keeper in Premier League history.
14. Sweden U-17's Lovely Team Goal
Date: 11/2/2013
Match: Sweden @ Honduras
Ground: Khalifa International Stadium
Nothing like a little team magic to pick apart a defense. Sweden's U-17 players showed plenty of wisdom and experience with this lovely interchange, eventually leading to a goal against Honduras.
13. Phil Jones Volley's Home in Style
Date: 10/29/2013
Match: Norwich @ Manchester United
Ground: Old Trafford
Phil Jones wasn't signed for his offensive prowess, but with strikes like this it's hard to tell him not to shoot when given the opportunity. This was one hell of a volley.
12. Tim Howard Makes Himself Big
Date: 11/2/2013
Match: Everton @ Aston Villa
Ground: Villa Park
Christian Benteke has made quite a name for himself with his goal-scoring exploits for Villa, but on this occasion Tim Howard went Gandalf as he denied the Belgian from the spot. So what if he was off his line, a great save is a great save.
11. Gareth Bale Proves His Worth
Date: 10/30/2013
Match: Sevilla @ Real Madrid
Ground: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Gareth Bale's Real Madrid career may not have gotten off to the dream start he and the Madrid faithful had hoped for, but if he continues to put goals like this in the back of the net you can be sure few will second-guess that hefty price tag.
10. Santi Cazorla Makes Juan Mata Look Silly
Date: 10/30/2013
Match: Chelsea @ Arsenal
Ground: The Emirates
Juan Mata did little to dispel the notion that attacking players cannot defend. Cazorla turns his countryman inside out and literally sends him head over heels with this little maneuver.
9. CR7 Can Do It All
Date: 11/2/2013
Match: Real Madrid @ Rayo Vallecano
Ground: Estadio de Vallecas
Just because we've come to expect magic every time he's on the ball, doesn't mean we shouldn't take the time to celebrate individual moments of brilliance from Cristiano Ronaldo. A lesser player may have been satisfied with just the meg, but we know CR is all about finishing.
8. Gylfi Sigurdsson Blasts Spurs Ahead at Home
Date: 10/30/2013
Match: Hull City @ Tottenham
Ground: White Hart Lane
This was far from Spurs' best performance on the pitch as whole, but the Iceland international showed why AVB was so eager to ink the attacking midfielder last season. Golazo.
7. Campos' Blast From the Qatar Stars League
Date: 11/2/2013
Match: Al Arabi @ Al Mu'aidar
Ground: Khalifa International Stadium
The Qatar Stars League might not be one of the most renowned divisions in world football, but if they keep developing talents like Campos it may not be long before we all take notice.
6. Wayne Rooney's Wonderful Assist to Fabio
Date: 10/29/2013
Match: Norwich @ Manchester United
Ground: Old Trafford
Wayne Rooney proved midweek that he can do more than just put the ball in the back of the net. During United's Capital One Cup clash with Norwich, Rooney turned provider with this beautiful over the top pass to Fabio.
5. Aaron Ramsey Continues His Scoring Touch
Date: 11/2/2013
Match: Liverpool @ Arsenal
Ground: The Emirates
Make that 12 goals for the Welshman in all competitions this season, so far. Ramsey has flourished since returning from injury, and with goals like this he doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon.
4. Yaya Toure Shows His Class
Date: 11/2/2013
Match: Norwich @ Manchester City
Ground: The Etihad
Yaya Toure shows once again why he's one of the best in the business when it comes to putting the ball into the back of the net. This beautiful curler put City 5-0 up, en route to a 7-0 thrashing of the Canaries.
3. Kaka Shows Why He's Still One of the Best
Date: 10/30/2013
Match: Lazio @ AC Milan
Ground: San Siro
Just when you're ready to count Kaka out, the Brazilian responds with a certain brilliance that few are capable of. This curler against Lazio might just be the goal that gets Kaka back on track, and what timing with Brazil 2014 on the horizon.
2. Oussama Assaidi's Superb Strike Opens the Scoring in Birmingham
Date: 10/29/1930
Match: Stoke City @ Birmingham City
Ground: St. Andrews
On loan from Liverpool in an attempt to get playing time and experience, Oussama Assaidi showed just why he was signed by the Merseyside giants last season. With goals like this he may yet find himself back in Rogers' big picture plans.
1. Vladimir Darida's Long-Range Wonder Strike
Date: 11/2/2013
Match: SC Freiburg @ Nürnberg
Ground: Grundig-Stadion
Vladimir Darida maybe far from a household name, but with a strike like this he certainly deserves his moment in the sun this week. What a screamer from the Freiburg man.
