7 Worst Open Goal misses in Premier League history

Considering the eye-watering salaries footballers are paid, the least one would hope for is that they could do their job properly. To their credit, most do; and while they may not be worth the obscene figures that are bandied around, the majority are able to live up to their boss’ demands, even if they do spend time crying and whining.

However, that ethos appears not to have filtered through to the strikers – at least, not these ones. Knocking the ball into an open net from a matter of feet is something a toddler could manage, but such nous evades these primadonnas. So without further ado, here are seven premiere league open-goal misses that even your nan could have scored.

#7: Ji-Sung Park vs Middlesbrough in 2008

“Park, Park, wherever you may be,” went the chant sung by Manchester United supporters while the South Korean midfielder plied his trade at Old Trafford. Well, in this case, Park was situated less than 10 feet from the goal, and in a primer than prime position – but it didn’t do him much good.

United led 1-0 against Middlesbrough heading into the final 20 minutes and sought some insurance to put the minds of the home crowd at rest. Gary Neville executed a beautiful pass, dissecting the Boro defense perfectly, and leaving Park with some simple mopping up duties.

With just the goalkeeper to beat and acres of space to hit into, a mishit would more than likely have been enough, providing it wasn’t as awful as this one. Looking to poke it home, Park whizzed the ball over the bar and promptly tripped over the keeper to complete the omnishambles. Thankfully for United and Park, no damage was done and they won 1-0.

#6: Maxi Rodriguez vs Chelsea in 2011

Compared to his other years at Anfield, Maxi Rodriguez had a pretty good season at Liverpool in 2010-11, scoring two hat-tricks along the way. However, he showered himself with everything except glory when Liverpool took the trek down to Stamford Bridge in February 2011.

Chelsea had just secured the services of Fernando Torres from Liverpool, and the Spanish striker was making his first start for the Blues. That and the final result – Liverpool triumphed 1-0 – saved any eventual blushes for Rodriguez, but it is our duty to remind one and all just how hopeless he was that day.

With the match scoreless, Steven Gerrard picked out the Argentine who found himself unchallenged right in front of goal. Petr Cech was a sitting duck, Liverpool was bound to go ahead. Or not. Rodriguez couldn’t collect cleanly, smacked the ball straight into the crossbar, and Chelsea were let off the hook. Way to go, Maxi.

#5: Nwankwo Kanu v Middlesbrough in 2004

Captains are supposed to lead from the front, but it doesn’t look like anyone reminded Nwankwo Kanu that before West Bromwich Albion took on Middlesbrough at the Hawthorns in November 2004. And if it could get any worse for the home side and Kanu, it was a new manager – and former Baggy – Bryan Robson’s first game in charge.

Middlesbrough scored early, but West Brom leveled up the contest shortly after. However, it wasn’t long before Boro found themselves back in front, and the hosts’ best outcome looked like being a point. And they would have secured it had Kanu not committed one of the most horrendous atrocities against the beautiful game.

The Nigerian had taken up residence on the left post, waiting for a chance to pinch a point. And that chance came when Geoff Horsfield threaded the ball across the face of goal, directly at Kanu, who somehow contrived to fizz the ball over the bar from around two yards out – even after watching it 100 times, explaining this howler is still impossible. Middlesbrough won 2-1, and Robson was left, undoubtedly, livid.

#4: Scott Sinclair vs Manchester United in 2011

If it wasn’t bad enough that Scott Sinclair was playing his football in Wales, his shocker in front of goal at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium against Manchester United in November 2011 only compounded his problems. The good news for us onlookers is that we can all have a laugh at the poor bloke’s expense.

United had a goal lead, but Sinclair looked all set to cancel that out when the ball fell his way. Wayne Routledge looped a cross in which stranded United keeper David De Gea and had Swans fans already celebrating. But Sinclair, in all his great wisdom, proceeded to miss the ball entirely, tangling his feet up as he nutmegged himself.

Swansea ultimately lost by a solitary goal, meaning Sinclair’s error proved even more costly. He claimed afterward that it came to him quickly and he didn’t get a proper contact on it – not sure many were buying that. Oh well, chin up Scott, at least you aren’t actually Welsh.

#3: Edin Dzeko vs Stoke in 2014

When Sheikh Mansour, the multi-billionaire Arab owner of Manchester City, turns up at the Etihad Stadium to watch his team, he expects perfection, class and the odd touch of magic – something to remember on his private jet home. Well, Edin Dzeko gave him something to remember when Stoke pitched up in Manchester in February 2014.

With City 1-0 up and looking to put their opponents to bed, Dzeko had one of the most golden chances ever to do just that. A precise ball in slipped past the Stoke defense and a helpless goalkeeper, right to the feet of the Bosnian in question. All Dzeko had to do was tap in from a distance no further than three yards.

However, that would have been far too simple. Instead of sealing the deal, Dzeko got himself into an awful tangle, bunging the ball straight into his left foot. It pinged out of the City player’s control and towards Stoke, who cleared the danger. Even Heskey would have scored that one.

#2: Ronny Rosenthal vs Aston Villa in 1992

The Premier League was little more than an embryo in football’s womb when it witnessed a missed chance which still contends for the most unbelievable miss ever. The scene was Villa Park, and the poor chap who etched his name into unwanted footballing folklore was Liverpool’s, Ronny Rosenthal.

A hoofed ball upfield found its way to Rosenthal, and he neatly worked it around the Aston Villa goalkeeper and into the center of the box, with absolutely nobody in his way. With an eight-yard wide and eight-foot-high target to aim at, “Rocket Ronny” would never have had an easier opportunity to score in his life.

The Israeli, however, did something that sent the whole of Holte End into delirium. Instead of drilling it into the net, Rosenthal’s left-footed shot bounced off the bar, leaving him truly humiliated. He did score a late consolation goal, but Villa prevailed 4-2. Bad luck Ron.

#1: Fernando Torres vs Manchester United in 2011

The sadistic among us would have enjoyed Fernando Torres’ time at Chelsea immensely, and the Spaniard’s horror show at the London club was encapsulated no better than by his monumental error against Manchester United during the 2011-12 season. This really was the worst Premier League miss of all time.

A gorgeous ball from Ramires weaved its way through the United defense and straight to Torres, who already had a golden chance to score, despite the obstacle of keeper David De Gea. However, things were to get much more embarrassing. Torres craftily side-stepped his way past De Gea and was greeted with a wide open goal, which was guarded by only fresh air.

But that still proved too demanding for Torres, who unceremoniously bunted a shot wide of the left post from just outside the six-yard box. The unforgiving Old Trafford crowd roared with delight at the ex-Liverpool player’s howler, as they maintained their 3-1 advantage until the final whistle. Perhaps only Torres’ former club – Liverpool had offloaded him months earlier for a record £50 million – were laughing more.

Edited by Shambhu Ajith