Greatest Own Goals of All-Time No.26
Up until now, all of the articles in this ‘Greatest Own Goals of All Time’ series have been about one unfortunate own goal. This week, Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher becomes the first man to be the first player to score two own goals in one game.
The match in question was at Anfield against bitter rivals Manchester United on 11th September 1999. Carragher put through his own net twice in the first half and Liverpool lost the match 3-2.
His first own goal came after only three minutes. United’s left winger Ryan Giggs floated a hopeful ball into the box and Carragher tried to head the ball away from danger. He watched on despairingly as his header flew past Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld at the near post and into the back of the net.
Andy Cole then went on to double United’s lead after 18 minutes before Sami Hyypia scored for the hosts. However, United’s two-goal lead was restored thanks to another bit of calamitous defending from Jamie Carragher in the 44th minute.
In all fairness, the second on goal was slightly unlucky on the 21 year old as the ball took a deflection off him into the back of the net.
David Beckham swung in a free-kick from the right towards Norwegian team mate Henning Berg at the far post. Carragher jumped up with Berg and the Norweigan got his header in but it was blocked by a defender. The loose ball bounced off Carragher as he fell to the ground and dropped into the back of the net for his second own goal in front of The Kop in 44 minutes!
Despite a goal from Patrik Berger midway through the second half, Manchester United held on to their victory. Gerard Houllier (the Liverpool manager at the time) never played Carragher in the centre of Liverpool’s again, opting for a centre back partnership of Stephane Henchoz and Sami Hyypia.
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