straighttalker said:
I really don't understand the number of people saying it was lucky because the ball deflected and looped up? It's what he did after that as the ball came to him that matters. The way he timed his leap and maneuvered his body before putting it spectacularly in the top corner is what counts, is that lucky? As a red if a player of another team scores a thirty five yard screamer against us, I don't think 'well if that wasn't just luck he'd do that every week when he got the ball from 35 yards out' (I realise Rooney's wasn't from 35 yards, it's an example). I appreciate the skill and realise that while 9/10 times that wouldn't have gone in, I credit him with a fantastic strike which is what makes football such a beautiful game to watch! If Tevez gets the ball from a bad pass in midfield and then beats 4 men and hammers in a wonder goal, is it just lucky because the ball came to him initially by mistake. Or do we as football supporters look at the skill of the finish and appreciate it for what it is? As a red I know I'm biased, however it was a great goal and not a lucky goal.
Then you clearly haven't scored an overhead kick at any level.
If the ball arrives right, the technique required is basic, especially for athletes like Rooney. In fact, the ball deflected perfectly to wrong-foot Kompany, avoid intervention by Hart or Richards and to put Rooney in that position. Basically it was a freak set of variables that put Rooney in the position to provide a fairly basic finish. The reason goals like that are relatively (but not that) rare is simply that those factors don't come together very often and when they do, it is fortunate, not the result of any great skill on the part of the attacking team. A good finish but one I would expect from any striker in that position.
