VOTE FOR YOUR GOAL OF THE SEASONPosted on: Thu 05 May 2011
The goals have been flying in all year but we have finally whittled down the best ones to come up with a shortlist for the 2010/11 Chelsea Goal of the Season.
Nearly 100 goals have flown in over the past nine months, and our panel of experts has had the privilege of watching and re-watching every single one, picking out the 10 they think are the best for you to enjoy once more before casting your vote.
You can nominate your favourite goal, and Player of the Year, here. Winners will be announced at The Awards on May 19, which will be screened live on Chelsea TV.
1) Didier Drogba v Arsenal (October 3, 2010)
The back-heel finish at the near post is sublime, but this early-season opener owes as much to Ashley Cole's square pass and Ramires winning possession and finding the left-back out wide as it does Drogba's classy contribution.
2) Alex v Arsenal (October 3, 2010)
He gives us one every year, and this bending blaster is special. The Brazilian lined up a free-kick 25 yards from the Arsenal goal, and smashed it around the wall and up into the top right-hand corner of the net. Such a powerful strike it injured the defender's thigh.
3) Yury Zhirkov v Spartak Moscow (October 19, 2010)
What a way to score your first Chelsea goal. His return to Russian soil (or Astroturf) clearly inspired the former CSKA man, who latched onto this bouncing ball outside the area and despatched an unstoppable half-volley into the far corner of the Spartak net.
4) Salomon Kalou v Wolverhampton Wanderers (October 23, 2010)
A tidy one-touch passing move involving Drogba and Michael Essien sees the Ivorian finish things off from close range with a cool, side-footed finish.
5) Nicolas Anelka v Blackburn Rovers (October 30, 2010)
An unusual Chelsea goal that is almost route one in its approach. Florent Malouda pulls down a Petr Cech kick and plays the ball deep into the Blackburn area, where Drogba nods into Anelka's path and he makes no mistake from 12 yards.
6) Daniel Sturridge v Ipswich Town (January 9, 2011)
The youngster receives the ball inside the area after Frank Lampard and Anelka work the ball from right to left, cuts back onto his weaker right foot and bends the ball into the far corner for his second of the game.
7) Didier Drogba v Bolton Wanderers (January 24, 2011)
New, lighter footballs seem to have been designed for Drogba, who can combine power with swerve and dip to bamboozle a goalkeeper. The victim here is Jussi Jaaskelainen who is beaten all ends up from 35 yards.
8) Ramires v Manchester City (March 20, 2011)
A first Stamford Bridge goal for the midfielder, who receives the ball centrally before executing a lovely dragback, beating another man and striding into the area before sending his shot into the top corner to tie up an important home win.
9) Didier Drogba v Stoke City (April 2, 2011)
A thumping header from the striker, who diverts Nicolas Anelka's floated cross from the left back across goal and into the top corner, using every ounce of strength in his powerful neck muscles to get the ball beyond Asmir Begovic.
10) Salomon Kalou v Birmingham City (April 20, 2011)
The front man picks the ball up with his back to goal in the left channel, and beating two men, works his way across to the right from where he curls a beauty into the bottom corner.
