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The Premier League has seen some highly skilled free kick takers over the years. David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gianfranco Zola, Thierry Henry, these are a few of the names which come to mind. A free kick, quite literally, creates something from nothing.
Knuckleballs, pile drivers, below the wall, above the wall, that last second dip, that last second swerve, we have seen it all. We have also seen players putting in superb deliveries from free kicks like Mesut Özil, Cesc Fabregas and Kevin De Bruyne. Still, the current dead ball specialists don't cease to amaze us by their pure wizardry.
Philippe Coutinho, Dimitri Payet, Gylfi Sigurdsson; these are the names eminent in each goalkeeper's nightmares. The year 2016 saw some utterly beautiful free-kicks in the Premier League and here are the best of the lot.
#5 Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea City) vs Crystal Palace
Sigurdsson is known for his expertise over the dead ball. The Swansea man scored an absolute stunner against Crystal Palace in a crazy 5-4 win at the Liberty Stadium. The free kick was just outside the box and straight in the middle. It is quite challenging to get the ball to overcome the wall and then dip when the free kick is from such a short distance.
Sigurdsson achieved that quite beautifully, the power and precision leaving Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey rooted to the spot. His goal started the comeback, and the went on to win the game in spectacular fashion. Sigurdsson's assists and goals from set pieces are going to be crucial for the Swans, as they aim to survive the relegation battle this season.
#4 Andros Townsend(Newcastle United) vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle United were six points from safety when they faced Palace at St James' Park, and defeat would surely have condemned them to relegation. Enter Andros Townsend. The winger scored a sensational free kick from 20 yards, bringing the stadium to its feet.
His left-footed curler was perfectly placed in the top corner, beyond keeper Hennessey's reach. It was a blistering strike, and to produce it at the time he did was incredible. This goal gave the Magpies a crucial win and ignited the mood around St James' Park.
As it turned out, Newcastle couldn't avoid the drop, and it was bitter rivals Sunderland who gave them the final push. Townsend though sought a transfer and is currently playing for Palace, finally trying to get a good run in a Premier League team.
#3 Enner Valencia(West Ham United) vs Bournemouth
West Ham United's Enner Valencia netted a brace in a 3-1 victory at the Vitality Stadium, one of which was a brilliant free kick. Teammate Dimitri Payet had scored one in the same game, and Valencia bettered it.
It was from a position from where many would have whipped a ball into the box. But Valencia deceived goalkeeper Artur Boruc. He got it over the wall with ease and rendered Boruc helpless. The angle was tight, but he made it look easy.
The technique was top class, reminiscent of a David Luiz free kick. Valencia, however couldn't produce such moments consistently, which led to him leaving West Ham for Everton.
#2 Philippe Coutinho(Liverpool) vs Arsenal
Coutinho has been Liverpool's best player since the heartbreak of a title challenge in 2013-14. He scored a stunner at The Emirates against Arsenal on the opening day of this season, a goal which could be adjudged perfect.
From 30 yards out, there was only one way to beat Petr Cech. Coutinho did just that, achieving the curl, dip and the placement perfectly, rippling the top right corner of Cech's net. It was an absolute gem of a goal from the Brazilian, leading the way for a seven-goal thriller.
It ended with the score 4-3, in favour of Liverpool. Coutinho has scored a host of long-range goals, but this was the best of the bunch.
#1 Dimitri Payet(West Ham United) vs Crystal Palace
West Ham exceeded all expectations and finished seventh last season, and so much of it was due to their talisman Dimitri Payet. The Frenchman was a revelation, scoring 9 and providing a further 12.
These goals and assists included a lot of sumptuous free-kicks. But the best of the lot came against Crystal Palace. (Yes, the goalkeeper was Wayne Hennessey again!) Normally the space behind the wall is relatively unguarded by the goalkeeper, so players try to curl it there. Palace had put seven players in the wall.
However, Payet went for the other side of the goal and the sheer audacity beat the keeper. He curled it majestically into the top corner, leaving Hennessey stranded. Payet celebrating, hands outstretched, through the bubbles at Boleyn Ground was one of the most iconic moments last season.
