“The screamer is a species in stark decline.”
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran must have read a piece on the BBC Sport website this week headlined ‘The slow death of the screamer’ – and decided to take matters into his own hands.
Having fought back to 2-2 against Everton with a double from Ollie Watkins, Villa were searching for the winner, which came in spectacular fashion.
There seemed to be no issues when substitute Duran picked the ball up a long way out from goal, but the Colombian unleashed a sensational strike which flummoxed Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and won the game for Unai Emery’s team.
Former England keeper Paul Robinson called it “goal of the weekend” on BBC Radio 5 Live, adding: “There was nothing else on Duran’s mind.
“He was 30 yards from goal, it had dip and swerve. It goes up and over the reach of the England goalkeeper.
“You will not see a better goal for a long time.”
‘Pickford didn’t even smell it’
According to the BBC piece, the percentage of goals from outside the box has fallen from 22.3% in the 2006-07 season, to 12.4% last term.
But Duran’s unforgettable goal will live long in the memory and boost that particular statistic for this season, as he wheeled off to celebrate his net-busting effort before being mobbed by this team-mates.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez‘s jaw hit the floor, Youri Tielemans looked on in disbelief and Pickford shook his head as he watched a replay of the goal on the big screen inside Villa Park.
The home faithful in attendance were equally astounded – with three points on the line, time seemed to stand still when the ball left Duran’s left boot before an explosion of euphoria when it rippled the back of the net.
“I have seen it from behind and I saw the ball moving – it was unstoppable,” said Argentina number one Martinez.
“It was a great strike. We have been trying to hold Duran in the Premier League and if he can keep the consistency he can be a really big threat.
“He can be one of the best strikers in the world, but he needs to keep his feet on the ground and to work hard.”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports: “Jordan Pickford didn’t even smell it. What a strike from that man, wow.
“We don’t see goals like that anymore. The bend on that was fantastic – the goalkeeper was at full stretch.”
‘We have to think about how we can play with two strikers’
Duran has now scored three goals this season, all as a substitute, and with England forward Ollie Watkins also on the scoresheet against Everton courtesy of his first two goals of the season, it has given Emery a headache on how to fit both players into the team.
The Spaniard said: “He has made a good impact in last three games, scoring goals and helping the team. For this reason, he played in the starting XI for Colombia.
“His potential is huge and I want to support him, help him and be demanding with him. Then he can possibly get better, more confidence and today Watkins scored two goals – you have to feel comfortable with those strikers.
“We have to think about how we can play with two strikers – this is the challenge I have.”
Watkins added: “That is what he’s got in his locker, he has got a lot of ability. We have seen him score worldies before .When he comes on to the pitch he’s always a handful.
“If you back yourself to shoot from that far, why not?”