Goal of the Year

2020 wasn’t filled with many beautiful Baggies goals, but there were a handful of brilliant finishes and strikes that lit up the year. With 50 goals to choose from across 42 competitive games, here are the nominees for Goal of the Year:

#1 Conor Townsend vs West Ham (A) – 25/01/20

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In a match where many of Albion’s star players were rested, an unlikely 1-0 victory – courtesy of a sweet Conor Townsend drive – meant the Championship side progressed to the 5th round of the FA Cup. Some sloppy Hammers defending saw the ball fall loose to Townsend on the edge of the penalty area. A simple touch to his left allowed the full back to hit a crisp effort, which kept rising as it flashed across the face of the goal and found its way inside the far post. Not a bad way to score your only goal for the club.

#2 Filip Krovinovic vs Millwall (A) – 09/02/20

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This game will be remembered for the unbelievably wet and windy playing conditions provided by Storm Ciara, but Krovinovic’s goal to set the tone in a crucial 2-0 win should’ve stolen the headlines instead. With the wind interfering with both sides ability to create chances, the Croatian took the initiative. His best friend, Matheus Pereira, played an over hit pass from the right wing which Krovinovic just about got to ahead of Millwall’s Mahlon Romeo. His first touch was superb, heavily knocking the ball in to a pocket of space with his left foot, before stroking the ball in to the bottom right-hand corner from 20 yards with his right. It’s probably Krovinovic’s most impressive moment in a Baggies jersey.

#3 Grady Diangana vs Everton (A) – 19/09/20

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The 5-2 dismantling at Goodison Park was not short of entertaining football, with both of Albion’s goals finding their way on to our shortlist. The first was an incisive, solo breakaway goal by Grady Diangana. The club’s record signing carried the ball from within his own half and burst towards the Everton box. He cleverly feigned a pass to the overlapping Matheus Pereira which allowed him enough space to expertly arrow the ball from outside the area past a helpless Jordan Pickford. Our first goal back in the Premier League after a two season hiatus was certainly one to remember.

#4 Matheus Pereira vs Everton (A) – 19/09/20

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To follow up a fantastic Diangana goal, Matheus Pereira announced himself to the Premier League with a phenomenal free kick which was eerily similar to club legend Chris Brunt’s iconic free kick goal, also at Goodison Park, a decade earlier. With the ball spotted almost 30 yards from goal, Pereira struck an inch-perfect free kick which dipped and curled away from the flailing reaches of Pickford, before hitting the back of the net to everyone’s surprise. Pereira is no stranger to a classy goal, but this was the talismanic Brazilian at his brilliant best.

The Results:

  1. Matheus Pereira vs Everton (71.3%)
  2. Grady Diangana vs Everton (11.5%)
  3. Conor Townsend vs West Ham (10.6%)
  4. Filip Krovinovic vs Millwall (6.6%)

The winner of the 2020 WBA Report Goal of the Year is Matheus Pereira!

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