Rooney nets top goal spot

Wayne Rooney's breath-taking speed on the counter-attack to score against Bolton in March's 4-1 victory has netted the top goal spot for the England striker.

WAYNE ROONEY (Manchester United 4 Bolton 1, March 17)

Other goals may have proved more important, but none summed up United’s breath-taking speed on the counter-attack better than this one. Collecting the ball on the edge of their own area after a Bolton corner, Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo exchanged passes as they sprinted the length of the pitch before the former chipped home.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE (Charlton 1 Arsenal 2, September 30)

The promising young Dutchman showed the agility of Bruce Lee when he leapt to crack this spectacular volley past Scott Carson. A cross from the right dropped invitingly in front of Van Persie on the edge of the Addicks area and he smashed it beautifully into the top corner to win the match.

DIDIER DROGBA (Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0, September 17)

Drogba made a habit of scoring fantastic goals last term, but this was the pick. The Ivorian had his back to goal and was closely shadowed by Jamie Carragher when he collected the ball 20 yards out. But controlling the ball on his chest he swivelled and hit an early half-volley which barely gave Jose Reina time to move, let alone save.

MATT TAYLOR (Portsmouth 2 Everton 0, December 9)

Another great volleyed strike. The Pompey defender was fully 45 yards from the Everton goal when the ball popped into the air following a midfield challenge. But Taylor ran on to the ball with only one thing on his mind and cracked a dipping volley on the full which flew over a stranded and bewildered Tim Howard.

MICHAEL ESSIEN (Chelsea 1 Arsenal 1, December 10)

The Blues were heading for a damaging defeat at Stamford Bridge when Essien struck with five minutes left. Frank Lampard laid the ball back to the Ghanaian 35 yards out and he hit the ball first time with the outside of his right foot, generating the swerve to beat a diving Jens Lehmann at his far post.