By Chris Wright
One to cheer the Newcastle fans up here, with a trip back in time to the heady days of 2004 and Laurent Robert’s absurd goal in the Toon’s 3-1 win over Fulham.
Yes, we said a Newcastle win. Seems almost unthinkable these days, doesn’t it?
Anyway, while the temperamental French winger is perhaps better remembered for his long-range free-kicks, 25-yard screamers and periodic tantrums, Robert’s goal against the Cottagers at St James’ Park was something just a li’l bit different.
In fact, we guarantee you’ll have to sit through it at least twice before you even begin to fathom how Robert sticks this one away…
Asked to describe his instinctive acrobatics after the game, Robert described his unorthodox technique as “ninja” – explaining that he was inspired to attempt something a little wappy after playing Playstation games with his young son.
“If you asked me to do it again, I couldn’t,” he freely admitted.
“My son Mathieu called it a ‘Ninja goal’. This is a result of me playing on his Playstation – it inspires me to try the craziest things.
“I had my back to goal and my only option was to try a reverse shot.”
Many thanks to Pies fan James Shepherd for the nudge!
This way for plenty more Random Great Goals on Pies.
If you’ve got a bygone wonder goal you’d like to see featured in Random Great Goals, give us a nudge at waatpies@gmail.com and we’ll give it a shufty.