The art of goalkeeping is possibly the most underrated facet of football in modern times. Goalkeepers have often played the role of heroes and rescued their teams in certain situations and there is no doubt that their ability to save their team from the clutches of a loss has made them absolutely essential to the game of football.
The Premier League has seen its fair share of world-class goalkeepers who have pulled off the most amazing saves and kept their team away from trouble. But there is a certain breed of saves that certainly stand out. These saves are of extraordinary nature and the sheer ability of the goalkeeper to keep the ball out of the net is something that continues to bewilder many of us.
Let’s take a look at five of the most phenomenal saves that the Premier League has seen in its rich history of almost 25 years:
#5 David De Gea (vs. Liverpool)
The Spaniard is arguably the most popular United player among the fans. This is not just because he is an excellent performer but because Manchester United fans have seen the young player grow into a thorough professional who has done exceedingly well at the club. De Gea’s initial days at Old Trafford had seen the young goalkeeper make several errors and he was visibly erratic as a goalkeeper. Several critics had called for his head, however, Sir Alex kept faith in the young lad.
De Gea has now spent six seasons at the club and his performances have only increased his standing in the team. The player has grown from a clumsy keeper to a one who has proven himself to be one of best in the league and the world.
And this save typifise, the Spaniard’s lightning quick reflexes. A point-blank shot by Luis Suarez was heading for the goal – that is until De Gea intervened. Although Manchester United lost the game 3-0, the save was amazing and was voted as ‘Match of the Day’s Save of the Season’ in 2014.
#4 Carlo Cudicini v Tottenham Hotspur
The goalkeeper was one of the greatest Italians to have been a part of the Premier League and rightly so. Cudicini signed for Chelsea in 2000 and quickly became a fan favourite.
The player’s performances were such that he won the Chelsea Player of the Season award for 2001-02 and ITV Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season for 2002-03. Unfortunately for him, he could only be the starting goalkeeper for four seasons and was replaced by Petr Cech.
Cudicini’s amazing save came off a powerful shot hit by Dimitar Berbatov when the Bulgarian was at Spurs. Berbatov got a clear shot at the goal with only the Italian standing between him and the net. However, Cudicini brilliantly denies him with a strong save using his right hand which is somehow also able to absorb the ferocity with which the ball has been hit.
#3 Craig Gordon v Bolton Wanderers
Gordon’s transfer to Sunderland in 2007 was at that time the highest transfer fees (£9m) paid by an English club for a goalkeeper and the record stood till 2011 when Manchester United got David De Gea for £17m. The player spent five seasons at the Stadium of Light but his time at Sunderland came to a sad end as he was one of the nine players released by the club in 2012 after some indifferent performances by the Scottish international.
The best moment of Gordon’s time at Sunderland was against Bolton Wanderers in 2010. The goalkeeper made a stunning save in the stoppage time of the first half as he somehow managed to keep a ball out of the goal. Bolton player Zat Knight hit the ball from extremely close range but was denied by Gordon’s reflexes.
In 2012, this save was awarded as the Best Save in the Premier League’s 20-year history.
#2 Peter Schmeichel v Newcastle United
The Great Dane as Peter Schmeichel is lovingly called is one of the greatest goalkeepers to have graced the Premier League. Schmeichel was the defensive rock that guarded the goal of some of Sir Alex’s best teams and made 292 appearances for the Manchester United. The legend won five Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League once during his 9-year stay at the club. Old Trafford has still not seen a better keeper than the Dane.
Schmeichel’s save came off a brilliant header by John Barnes who played for Newcastle then. Barnes who got his head to the end of a great cross directs the header wonderfully but unfortunately, the Great Dane’s awareness and reflex keeping ensure that the ball does not hit the back of the net. United go on to win the match 1-0 and ultimately win the Premier League title as well that season. The save was adjudged as the Premiership's `Ten Seasons' Save of the Decade award.
"Newcastle won a corner and we were pushing out. John Barnes got in behind the defence and to be honest I didn't think at the time it was that difficult a save. But when you look back at it, you can see I am off-balance when he is heading the ball."
#1 Jussi Jaaskelainen v Manchester United
Jaaskelainen joined Bolton back in 1997 when the club was still playing Football League’s First Division (Championship). He soon established himself as the first-choice keeper at the club and was a key player in Bolton’s promotion in the 2000-01 run despite missing almost half the season due to a cruciate ligament injury. The Finn spent a long time at the Trotters which spanned almost 15 seasons where he made 474 appearances for the club.
In 2007, he was voted as Bolton's 'Player of the Year Award’ and also the ‘Player’s Player of the Year Award’ for his outstanding performances which helped Bolton get a UEFA Cup (Europa League) spot for the second time in their history.
Jaaskelainen’s brilliant save was not just one save but a double save made in the span of a blink of an eye. The goalkeeper first saved a stinging ground shot hit by Manchester United legend Paul Scholes and then got back up to save a point-blank shot hit by Andy Cole off the rebound, which absolutely stunned the Manchester United players who looked away in disbelief.
