Lehmann tops best saves list

German number one Jens Lehmann gets down to finger-tip the ball around the post in a Solskjaer strike to top the season's best saves.

JENS LEHMANN (Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1, September 17)

When the ball broke loose on the right side of the Gunners’ area, United substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned and angled a precise low shot towards the far corner. But the German number one got down brilliantly to finger-tip the ball around the post and clinch the three points.

DAVID JAMES (Portsmouth 2 Newcastle 1, April 14)

Many people’s choice for keeper of the season produced one of the best saves late in the game to hand Pompey the win. Linvoy Primus’s slip left Obafemi Martins in plenty of space just eight yards from goal, but James seemed to pre-empt his low shot to the corner and he flicked the ball just wide with his finger-tips.

JUSSI JAASKELAINEN (Bolton 0 Chelsea 1, November 29)

Andriy Shevchenko must have thought his 30-yard screamer was a dead cert when it arrowed towards the Finn’s top right-hand corner. But Jaaskelainen launched himself athletically to his right and somehow managed to tip over at full stretch.

ANDREAS ISAKSSON (Manchester United 3 Manchester City 1, December 9)

There was not a great deal for the Swede to celebrate during a difficult first season at Eastlands, but he gave a glimpse of his talent with this brilliant stop from Wayne Rooney. Ryan Giggs’ cross had evaded the defence and the England striker met the ball just two yards from the goal, but somehow Isaksson got across to smother his volley and the ball was cleared.

ROBERT GREEN (West Ham 1 Manchester United 0, December 17)

The England international was left exposed when Cristiano Ronaldo cut in from the left flank in typically devastating fashion. He unleashed a powerful low shot from 12 yards to Green’s left, but the former Norwich man dived to palm the ball out for a corner.