Gav - @Gav1879
This one’s simple for me - Josh Maja’s goal against Fulham is my goal of the year.
The reason for why is because it was the goal that brought back a lot of emotions for me that I had, in all honesty, forgotten about.
The euphoria you feel when you see a young player get their first goal and make their mark on the first team stage is genuinely gripping, whilst the dread and anticipation when waiting for the final whistle is something that I’ve genuinely missed - and Maja’s goal brought all of that back to me and many other supporters that afternoon.
It was the goal that ended our dreadful home drought, gave us our first three points at the Stadium of Light in almost a year and, aside from all of that, it was incredibly well taken, as his touch and finish were more indicative of a seasoned pro and not an emerging rookie.
Alex McCain - @AlexRokerReport
I’m going for Didier Ndong’s goal against Crystal Palace in the extremely uncharacteristic 0-4 rout back in February.
The Gabonese international couldn’t have hit a cleaner strike if he’d retaken it a thousand times. He raced forward, took aim from outside the box, and let loose a left-footed shot that curled perfectly into the bottom right corner.
It reminded me somewhat of Santiago Vergini’s goal against Southampton - putting aside the obvious fact that the ball ended up in the opponent’s net rather than our own.
Graham - @AsylumDoors
I’m going for George Honeyman’s chip against Bury in the cup as our goal of the season. It wasn’t the most memorable of games admittedly, but it was a goal that really made me remember why I loved this club after months of depression - and it was a goal of real quality too.
It registered our first win of the season after weeks and months of watching apathetic football under David Moyes. How great was it that a local boy got of the limelight in front of the Sky cameras too?
Little George has had his doubters but that goal was the first of four he has scored this term and no doubt set him up for the successful season he’s currently having.
The way he screamed at the away end and punched the air was akin to the way all of us had been feeling for quite some time - it was a young lad taking his chance and celebrating in front of a crowd he’d probably be in amongst if he wasn’t on the pitch. For just a small moment we all felt that sense of pride again. A quality piece of skill, a fabulous finish, a win and a local boy done good.
Jake Hannah - @jake_hannah
What a dull year 2017 has been as a Sunderland fan! My goal of the year has to be George Honeyman’s sliding effort against Burton in the crucial 2-0 win over our fellow strugglers.
The overriding sense of relief as the ball hit the back of the net is a feeling I won’t forget for a long while. That, accompanied by the fact that the goal was created by two academy lads combining gives us hope that 2018 might be a little more successful for us.
The ecstasy of the fans in that packed away end was a joy to witness, knowing that the goal really meant something to the travelling pack and new gaffer.
I really look at that game, in particular Honeyman’s goal, and see it as the turning point in our season. Fingers crossed we are treated to a few more important wins over the next few months.
Mark Carrick - @Carrima
We probably can’t have a Goal of the Year competition without one entry from Lewis Grabban.
Our on-loan striker arrived from Bournemouth a few weeks after they signed our previous goal hero, Jermain Defoe. Big boots to fill on Wearside, and yet Grabban has now bagged 12 goals from 18 starts. An impressive stat, especially for one who still divides fans, due to his work rate.
However you view Grabban, his goals have secured some important points and, for a side at the wrong end of the table, it’s vital we have a goalscorer within the ranks.
His opening goal against Bolton at the end of October was a trademark goal, reminiscent of the one against Norwich City. In that one, a ball over the top was met by pace and precision as Grabban opened his body to slot past the keeper. However, this one stands out, for me, as much for the assist, as the finish.
Bringing the ball out of defence, Didier Ndong looks up and sees Grabban hanging on the shoulders of the last defender some 35 yards further up-field. A controlled through ball takes out two pairs of Bolton players: the first pair just inside the Bolton half and the second covering our forwards, Vaughan and Grabban.
Grabban spins away from his marker, shows good pace and strength to carry the ball goalwards. The Bolton keeper comes to make a difficult angle for Grabban, but Lewis is composed, waits for the keeper to commit and threads the ball behind the diving goalkeeper and inside the far post.
It has the hallmarks of a proven goalscorer.
He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t deny Lewis Grabban is a player we have relied upon for hitting the back of the net with regularity this season and is a worthy contender for scoring our Goal of the Year.
Poll
What was Sunderland’s best goal of 2017?
This poll is closed
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41%
J Maja v Fulham
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2%
Grabban v Bolton
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7%
Honeyman v Burton
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36%
Ndong v Palace
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11%
Honeyman v Bury