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The greatest audacious goals – Cavani, Di Canio, Henry and more

From Manchester United's Edinson Cavani to Arsenal's Thierry Henry. The soccer world has seen some truly ambitious and daring goals in its long history.

Lobs, cheeky chips, backheels and more. As Edinson Cavani etches himself into Old Trafford history Planet Sport relives some of soccer's most audacious efforts on goal.

We are bound to have missed some of your favourites? Why not post your thoughts in the comments section below.

Edinson Cavani v Fulham - May 2021

In a game that saw the return of fans to Old Trafford during the COVID-19 pandemic, Edinson Cavani truly welcomed the Red Devils home.

The Uruguayan has scored some unbelievable goals during his 16-year career. However, this effort has to be at the top of the pile.

A ball played out from the back by David De Gea set the striker free in Fulham's half and from 40-yards out, with his first touch, he lobbed the Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

A goal finished off with a well-deserved knee slide in front of the returning red side of Manchester support.

Paolo Di Canio v Wimbledon - March 2000

The Premier League has witnessed some spectacular goals from legendary Italians. But nothing will ever be as cheeky as Di Canio's strike against Wimbledon in 2000.

A scramble in the Wimbledon half meant that ball found Marc Vivien Foe in the centre of the field, who switched the play to the right-hand side, picking out winger Trevor Sinclair.

A pinpoint cross into the Wimbledon box allowed the daring Italian to volley his cross into the back of the Wimbledon net first time with the outside of his foot.

Di Canio's goal will forever be remembered as one of the greatest Premier League goals of all time. Sensational!

Robert Pires v Aston Villa - March 2002

In a title winning season for the Gunners, Pires' looping goal against Villa displayed the excellence of this Arsenal side.

A high Aston Villa line allowed Freddie Ljungberg to send the Frenchman free into the opposition half, with pressure from George Boateng. However, the bouncing ball allowed the midfielder to flick it past the tracking defender.

Pires, face-to-face with the legendary Peter Schmeichel, lobbed it over the Dane from 14-yards out. After calmly swooping the ball over the goalkeeper, the Frenchman celebrated in a sea of travelling Gooners.

A highly underrated goal. Will forever stay in the memory of Arsenal fans.

Daniel Sturridge v Sunderland - September 2011

In Daniel Sturridge's early career at Chelsea, he was still scoring some unthinkable and unimaginable goals.
In September 2011, Sturridge's third season for the London side, Chelsea travelled to Sunderland, where the Englishman would perform his magic.

A terrific through ball to the Englishman saw him head on with goalkeeper Simon Mingolet. Sturridge outrageously backheeled his effort into the opposite bottom left corner, leaving the Black Cat's goalkeeper floundering.

Alexis Sanchez v West Ham United - December 2016

The Chilean international was having the season of his life in 2016/17, becoming Arsenal's main man upfront and designated goal scorer.

In a fixture against the Hammers in December, Sanchez pulled off an unbelievable hat-trick thanks to a coolly finished chip past Darren Randolph.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set the pacey forward free. He beat Winston Reid for pace, pulled off a cheeky fake shot, which sent the goalkeeper to ground, before looping the ball into the West Ham net.

A cheeky goal to round off a cheeky hat-trick.

Xabi Alonso v Newcastle - September 2011

In a game where Dirk Kuyt ended is five-hour goal drought, the spotlight was stolen by Xabi Alonso with his spectacular effort from within his own half.

After winning the ball back from Newcastle opposition, Alonso had time on the ball to decide his next move. No one was expecting what he did next.

From 70-yards out, the Spaniard produced a moment of brilliance, scoring with a shot from his own half whilst putting Magpies' goalkeeper Steve Harper on his backside.

A spectacular goal to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory for the Reds.

Olivier Giroud v Crystal Palace - January 2017

A New Year's Day treat for Gooners, provided by the glamourous Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman is known for his spectacular efforts, but no one would have been expecting this.
A flick from the striker began an Arsenal counter attack against the Eagles, looking to open the scoring in a tightly contested first 15 minutes.

The ball found its way to Alexis Sanchez on the left-hand side, and he provided a teasing cross into the Palace penalty area.

Giroud, rather than leaping and scoring with a header, performed an outstanding scorpion kick which rifled into the back of the opposition net, sending the Emirates into a frenzy.
A goal worthy of The FIFA Puskas Award. For sure the best goal he will ever score and one of the best ever scored in North London.

Thierry Henry v Charlton Athletic - October 2004

The King of Highbury certainly scored a number of audacious goals in North London, but his finish against Charlton in 2004 well deserved a standing ovation.
In a game to extend Arsenal's unbeaten run to 48, Henry's first goal of the afternoon secured the result and his place on our list.

After a flicked ball into the feet of Henry from Jose Antonio Reyes, the Frenchman was held up and had his back to defender Jonathan Fortune.

However, an unpredictable backheel from Henry found its way through the legs of the defender and into the back of the Charlton net.

A daring finish that the Highbury Clock End will never forget.

Eric Cantona v Sunderland - December 1996

Of course, the most unpredictable man had to be on our list. Eric Cantona, already securing himself in Premier League history both for Leeds United and Manchester United, supported backed up his audacious credentals with another devastating finish.

In December 1996, a Man Utd Premiership winning season, Cantona scored an unbelievable chipped goal against relegation candidates Sunderland.
After dribbling his way into the Black Cat's half, the Frenchman played a one-two with Brian McClair, before fantastically chipping the ball into the top right corner of Sunderland's net. A postage stamp finish.

Lionel Messi v Real Betis - March 2019

How could we have a list and not include arguably the 'Greatest of All Time'. Daring, excellence, audacious; all words you can associate with Lionel Messi.

Already scoring twice against Real Betis in front of a packed Benito Villamarin, his hat-trick goal was truly amazing. A goal that cannot be replicated, applauded by home and away supporters.

After receiving the ball back from Ivan Rakitic on the left side on the edge of the box, a simple clip into the air from the Argentine saw his shot loop over goalkeeper Pau Lopez, off the bar and in.

One of many of his extraordinary goals, but this one has to make our list.

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