Football’s Greatest Goals No.48
This week’s ‘Greatest Goal’ was scored by Paulo Wanchope in a famous 3-2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Wanchope had joined Derby County just ten days prior, costing the club a mere £600,000. His debut was away to Manchester United and no one expected his new team to get a result from the match.
United had won the League and Cup double the previous season and were on course for their fourth title in five years. Derby, on the other hand, were back in the top flight after a five-year absence and were sitting in twelfth place.
Ashley Ward silenced the United crowd shortly before the half-hour mark hitting a shot that looped over Peter Schmeichel. Paulo Wanchope had provided the assist heading down a cross-field ball from Paul Trollope wide on the left. Six minutes later, Wanchope went from provider to goal scorer with a fantastic solo effort.
The Costa Rican received the ball ten yards inside his own half and he began running forward, his long legs carrying him in into the United half.
United left-back Phil Neville had cut inside to try and dispossess Wanchope and he matched the Costa Rican’s pace, chipping away at his feet. Neville was never going to outmuscle Wanchope, who was running at top speed now.
Gary Pallister came out to try and win the ball, but Wanchope passed him with ease. He was now at the edge of the United box and now had a sight at goal. Gary Neville came in from the right to challenge for the ball but was a second or two late.
Pallister, Phil and Gary Neville had all been beaten and Peter Schmeichel was added to that list as the Derby striker opened his body and coolly slotted the ball into the far corner. Derby County were in dreamland, 2-0 up away to champions Manchester United and they now had a super striker on their books!
Eric Cantona halved the deficit two minutes into the second half, breaking free from a couple of Derby defenders to fire past Mart Poom, who was also making his Derby County debut that day.
Paul Strurridge added a third for Derby after Peter Schmeichel raced out of his box to clear away a loose ball. Sturridge jumped up and headed the ball over the Dane, chasing the ball in and tapping the ball in from a yard out after it had struck the post.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rifled in United’s second goal of the game a minute later but it was to prove to be the final goal of the game.
Paulo Wanchope’s fantastic goal was the best of the five scored that afternoon and according to the club’s fans, the best in Derby County’s 137-year history.
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