The 10 Greatest Free-Kicks In Premier League History (Ranked)

The 10 Greatest Free-Kicks In Premier League History (Ranked)

The Premier League is home to some of the greatest footballing talent that the world has seen. With that, week in, week out, you see plenty of mind-blowing goals, from beautiful strikes to absolute piledrivers. Just two days ago, I saw two beautiful free kicks fly into the back of the net in the same match, as Man United drew 4-4 with Bournemouth in a thrilling tie. That got me thinking: what are the ten best free kicks that the Premier League has ever seen? Enjoy!

10 - John Arne Riise

Liverpool Vs Man United (2001)

Riise was known for his absolute thunderbolt strikes, so it's not a surprise to find him on this list. In a huge match against arguably Liverpool's biggest rivals, he gets the lay-off and absolutely rifles it past the keeper at insane speed. He could've broken the net! What a way to start off this list, a powerful strike to nearly take the net off.

Goal Here

9 - Elano

Man City Vs Newcastle (2007)

An unlikely scorer came up with one of the sweetest strikes of a football in Premier League history. Easily 25-30 yards out and the Brazilian absolutely smashes the ball right into the top left corner. Even from that far a distance the keeper had absolutely no chance. Manchester City went on to win the game 3-1, with that goal giving City that extra boost in taking all three points. Scoring a beauty like that at your home stadium must be an unbelievable feeling.

Goal Here

8 - Theirry Henry

Arsenal Vs Wigan (2005)

Wow, Wow, Wow. The distance on this free-kick is far, but Henry manages to find the perfect placement and knock the ball in off of the post. The strike wasn't as powerful as the last two but the pure placement on the strike to find the corner couldn't be replicated. This goal gave Arsenal a much needed two goal lead in their match vs Wigan.

Goal Here

7 - Alex

Chelsea Vs Arsenal (2010)

Another free kick from a very unlikely source. Chelsea was 1-0 up in a huge derby vs Arsenal. Up steps Alex. When you talk about a perfect free kick, you think of one where the keeper has literally no chance. This is exactly that. Almost straight on from the goal, he has a long run-up and puts everything into the strike, with the ball rifling into the top right corner; two keepers wouldn't save that.

Goal Here

6 - David Beckham

Man United Vs Everton (2003)

Bend it like Beckham! This man has scored some of the greatest goals in history, for example, the free kick vs Greece or the iconic halfway line strike against Wimbledon. The technique on show here is sensational. He quite literally had everyone fooled with this strike, whipping it into the far corner from such an awkward angle when everyone thought he would shoot to the other post. Everyone was standing completely still; Everton didn't know what was happening!

Goal Here

5 - Steven Gerrard

Newcastle Vs Liverpool (2007)

Being a Liverpool fan myself, you just knew I had to put at least one Gerrard screamer on this list. Another little lay-off and then Thunderbolt on this list, two for Liverpool as well! Not many players can strike a ball better than Gerrard. Wow, he could hit them! The amount of power he could get on a ball is mental; the keeper had no chance with this strike. Players flew at him to try and close him down but no one could stop what was about to happen.

Goal Here

4 - James Ward-Prowse

Wolves Vs Southampton (2022)

Oh my word... this free kick is actually sensational. The knuckleball technique is one of the hardest in football but also one of the best to see when it is pulled off. Ward-Prowse is known for being one of the best free-kick takers in history, with countless dead-ball goals under his belt; however, I believe that this is the pick of the bunch. 35 yards out, left-to-right knuckleball, keeper with no idea where it's going as it rifles into the top corner. Perfection.

Goal Here

3 - Matt Le Tissier

Southampton Vs Wimbledon (1994)

Now this isn't the usual style free-kick you are used to seeing. It is another one where someone has laid it off for the goalscorer, however instead of running onto it this time, Le Tissier has the nerve to just flick it up and volley it right into the top corner! The audacity to go and not only attempt this but to stick it right into the top bins, wow! He did it so coolly like it was easy! This will quite possibly never be recreated.

Goal Here

2 - Cristiano Ronaldo

Man United Vs Portsmouth (2008)

When someone thinks about some of the greatest ever free kicks, they always think of this one. Ronaldo quite possibly redefined technique after this one, with an absolute beauty which had everyone starstruck, even the keeper! He couldn't move, as he had no idea where the ball was going as it flew as far as you can possibly get in the top corner. This is the perfect knuckleball. Who else would you expect it from? Just one free kick tops it though...

Goal Here

1 - Dimitri Payet

West Ham Vs Crystal Palace (2016)

Here we are, the greatest free kick in Premier League history! I was never going to pick anything else.... The technique on this free kick still has me amazed after the 1000th watch. The ability to whip the ball so high and wide and then still manage to find the top corner is insane. The keeper went the right way and still got nowhere near it. He had no idea! I'm not sure many at all would be able to replicate this, maybe not even Payet himself!

Goal Here