Five of the Best… Individual goal hauls

Tottenham’s 9-1 demolition of Wigan this weekend saw Aaron Lennon and Niko Kranjcar produced stellar displays but inevitably it was Jermain Defoe who stole all the headlines on Monday morning. His five-goal haul led to more plaudits demanding his inclusion in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

The Sport Review takes a look at a pick of the best individual goal hauls since the induction of the Premier League in 1992.

1. Defoe smashed five goals past Chris Kirkland last Sunday despite the Wigan goalkeeper being the best performer for the visitors on the day. None of Defoe’s goals were ‘simple’ tap-ins which is testament to his clinical finishing.

2. In 1995, Andrew Cole blasted five strikes past Ipswich Town goalkeeper Craig Forrest. Manchester United were in second position in the league while Ipswich were second from bottom but nobody predicted a 9-0 win for the Red Devils. It remains a Premier League record while Cole keeps his goal-scoring record albeit shared with Alan Shearer and now Jermain Defoe.

3. In 1999, Alan Shearer matched Cole’s feat when he scored five against a hapless Sheffield Wednesday side. It helped Newcastle United to an 8-0 victory and resigned Sheffield Wednesday to relegation to the First Division.

4. Manchester United also hold the record for the biggest away victory. The 8-1 drubbing of Nottingham Forest at the City Ground will be remembered for a quick-fire four goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in an astonishing 12 minutes.

5. In 1994 a fresh-faced Robbie Fowler was bursting onto the scene at Anfield. He picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the 1994-95 campaign, but he will best remembered that season for his record-breaking hat-trick against Arsenal which he completed in a staggering four minutes and 32 seconds, which remains a Premier League record.