Beckham's free-kick is the most influential 90th minute goal of all-time


In a two week poll hosted by The Football Pools and Mirror Online, the UK public have voted David Beckham's free-kick against Greece in October 2001 as the most memorable last minute moment in the history of football.
The world's most popular football gaming company, The Football Pools is celebrating its 90th birthday this year with the 'In the 90th' campaign.
The public had to choose from a shortlist of 10 crucial goals in the dying stages.
The shortlist was chosen by the legendary Pools Panel consisting of Ian Callaghan and Gordon Banks.
Beckham's fantastic free-kick at Old Trafford (pictured) which got England to the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea came out on top of a competitive top 10.
Other contenders included Michael Thomas snatching the league title for Arsenal in the final moments of the 1989 Anfield decider and the goal by ex-Carlisle goalkeeper Jimmy Glass that kept them in the Football League in 1999.
Other players featuring in the final top 10 included Steven Gerrard, Shunsuke Nakamura and Sergio Aguero.
The full results were:
1. David Beckham
With England trailing 2-1 at home to Greece, they needed something special to dig themselves out of a major hole.
Step up captain fantastic David Beckham, with a trademark free-kick that took the Three Lions to the World Cup finals in 2002, without the need for the play-offs.
Once again, 'Goldenballs' had saved England from blowing it when glory was in their hands.
2. Shunsuke Nakamura
Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura was deadly when it came to scoring from direct set pieces.
In April 2007, he showed his accuracy in an SPL match against Kilmarnock. He curled a strike into the far corner of the net to secure the league title in dramatic fashion for Celtic.
3. Ole Gunnar Solskjær
For a long period, it looked like Mario Basler's sixth minute free-kick was going to win the Champions League final in 1999 for Bayern Munich.
The Bavarians hit the woodwork twice and in stoppage time, were stunned by Manchester United's glory side.
Teddy Sheringham equalised in the 91st minute and then two minutes later, fellow substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer poached the winner from a Beckham corner. The Red Devils had their unique treble and in fitting fashion too.
4. Sergio Aguero
Manchester City looked like they were about to throw it away again, losing 2-1 at home to 10 man QPR on the final day of the Premier League season in May 2012.
Edin Dzeko rekindled hope with an equaliser but another was needed to snatch the title.
As the whistle blew at Sunderland to confirm Manchester United as winners at the Stadium of Light and champions, Mario Balotelli found Sergio Aguero, whose slick finish inside the near post won the match and the title for Roberto Mancini's side.
United were left stunned by the turn of events at the Etihad, as City celebrated silencing their neighbours in the best fashion possible.
5. Steven Gerrard
A thrilling FA Cup final in 2006 looked to be heading the way of West Ham United when a thunderous strike from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in the dying seconds forced the game into extra-time and penalties.
Liverpool eventually won and had a lot to thank Gerrard for once again.
6. Michael Thomas
In the 92nd minute of the last game of the 1988/89 season, Arsenal needed one more goal at Anfield to clinch the league title away from Liverpool.
Michael Thomas powered through the midfield to score the crucial goal and produce an unbelievable finale to an emotional campaign. The Gunners won the title, leaving the Reds shell shocked.
7. Jimmy Glass
On loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass was only making his third appearance for Carlisle United but he went down in folklore in May 1999.
The goalkeeper went forward for a stoppage time corner and remarkably scored, to save Carlisle from relegation out of the Football League.
His 90th minute winner against Plymouth Argyle sent Scarborough down instead.
8. Alan Sunderland
The FA Cup final of 1979 was drifting towards a conclusion with Arsenal 2-0 up, before Manchester United had seemingly pulled off a remarkable comeback to draw level at 2-2.
However in the dying seconds of the game, Arsenal forward Alan Sunderland won it for the Gunners from close range.
9. Bill Perry
In the FA Cup final in 1953, the great Stanley Matthews inspired Blackpool to comeback from 3-1 down to lift the cup against Bolton Wanderers with a Bill Perry winner in the 92nd minute.
10. Roger Hunt
73,000 people gathered at Goodison Park to witness the first Merseyside derby in 11 years in the 1960s.
Roger Hunt scored in the 90th minute to earn a point for the eventual league champions.
By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

Comments