Goals of 2009

Trying to pick ten goals from the duration of 2009 is, as you might imagine, quite tricky. In that time we've scored our fair share, and in spells during both seasons over the calender year have played some delectable, quick, passing football. It's not been a perfect year by any stretch of the imagination, of course, but there would be little fun in attempting to put together a list of the sloppiest goals conceded, or ten most deflating draws.

I expect we'll all have different opinions on which goal should top the list, and i may well have missed the odd one entirely, but here goes...

10) Javier Garrido v Wolves (League, December)
A forgotten man at City since the arrival of Wayne Bridge, the Spaniard demonstrated what he can bring to the side in an attacking sense with a beautiful set-piece only days ago. Gareth Barry had been felled just outside the area, and from a difficult angle the left-back stepped up and curled the free-kick in to Hahnemann's bottom corner. The former Reading stopper didn't even see it.

9) Robinho v West Brom (League, April)
Another good example of the relationship between Ireland and Robinho bearing fruit. A generally nervous afternoon where we were second best somehow resulted in a 4-2 win. This was the opening goal. Ireland exchanged passes with de Jong in midfield and whipped in a stunning deep cross. Without even breaking stride the Brazilian slammed a left-footed volley past Scott Carson.

8) Stephen Ireland v Everton (League, April)
Similar to his wonder-strike in Hamburg, Stevie makes up half the length of the pitch in seconds, latching on to a curled Robinho return ball over the head of the stranded Jagielka, having time for a first touch and slotting low past Howard to cap off a brilliant win at a place we tend to struggle. These sort of goals really showcase Ireland at his best.

7) Michael Johnson v Scunthorpe (League Cup, October)
An emphatic strike by the young midfielder who has since suffered another serious injury. Despite the opposition, and the scoreline, he still demonstrated great technique to switch the ball and get his shot away, and it was in as soon as it left his boot. A small sign that if we can get him fit he's still got plenty to offer.

6) SWP v Villa (League, March)
A sublime Barca-like passing move, not just the one-two for the goal but the whole passage of play. Bojinov and Evans, both late subs, combine and feed Ireland who moves the ball over to SWP cutting in from the left. He returns the ball to Ireland who spots a gap between the defence and weights a delicious throughball, Shaun curling a finish in to the bottom left corner. A delightful example of a confident side keeping the ball on the deck.

5) SWP v Arsenal (League Cup, December)
Another unstoppable effort. Similar to his goal against United a couple of seasons ago, this one would've ended up in town somewhere had the net not been there. It always surprises me how such a lightweight fella can get so much power in his shots with so little backlift. Shauny at his menacing best, Traore's probably still dizzy.

4) Carlos Tevez v Arsenal (League Cup, December)
A goal completely of his own doing, bar a quick-thinking pass from Bellamy, with whom he seems to be building up a great understanding. It didn't really look like we were going to score, but winning a challenge following a stray pass out of defence, giving to and collecting from Bellamy, then dragging the Arsenal defence out and tonking an unsaveable drive past Fabianski. A super strike which gave us the confidence to see the Gunners of quite routinely.

3) Craig Bellamy v United (League, September)
Another good break, this would prove the second of three equalisers at Legoland before the officials added FergieTime. Carlos Tevez laid the ball to Bellamy who at best looked like he might run at his full-back and get a cross away. Ji-Sung Park gives up and legs it, leaving Bells free to cut inside and smash a shot in to the far top corner of England's number seven.

2) Stephen Ireland v Hamburg (UEFA Cup, April)
Stunning vision and stamina from last season's Player of the Year. Spotting Robinho free on the left flank the Irishman swung out a long ball, somehow making up half the pitch in a matter of seconds to slot home the return at the far post. Sadly we couldn't quite do enough to get past them over two legs, but we gave it a go, and seeing that early goal still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

1) Micah Richards v Bolton (League, December)
A breathtaking move, us at our counter-attacking best. Sylvinho wins a 50/50 challenge in the middle of the park and within seconds the ball has moved through Bellamy, Barry, Adebayor, Bellamy again, and ultimately full-back Richards, who manages to stay composed and fire low past Jaaskelainen.