Martin Skrtel own-goals are becoming one of English football’s most reassuringly recurring features, the Slovakian defender scoring his second inside a week in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over West Ham United.
It was one of three own-goals in the match, bestowing renewed relevance unto our list of the top 6 own-goal gluts – be sure to check that one out, calamity fans.
Now, with Jamie Carragher’s status as undisputed own-goal king of Anfield beginning to look somewhat under threat, let us honour the pretender to his throne by looking back at six more Martin Skrtel own-goals…
v Hull City, about a week ago
Our hero managed to get his head to a wayward Tom Huddlestone shot, guiding it netwards and securing a memorable 3-1 win for Steve Bruce’s resilient Tigers side.
Huddlestone was keen to claim the goal in order that he may finally get his hair cut, but Skrtel was not to be denied.
v Greece, October
Playing for his country, Skrtel forgot one of the golden rules of defending: when passing it back to your goalkeeper, put it to the side of the goal.
You know, so this doesn’t happen…
The role of former Everton ‘keeper Jan Mucha must be acknowledged, but the records will show a Skrtel ‘oggy’.
v Oldham, January 2013
Some dispute over this one – should the opening goal in this FA Cup tie be attributed to Skrtel or Matt Smith?
Either way, it put Oldham on their way to a famous 3-2 win. Pats on the back all round.
v Fulham, May 2012
Fifth minute of the match, in off the shoulder, proved to be the winner for Fulham in a 1-0 win at Anfield. Textbook.
v Tottenham Hotspur, November 2011
Another cracker in a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane…
On the bright side, he also scored at the right end.
v Havant & Waterlooville, January 2008
The non-league side led twice at Anfield before eventually succumbing to a 5-2 defeat, their second coming courtesy of a Skrtel making his Liverpool debut – and not, as advertised, Alfie Potter, loathe as we are to discredit his claim to fame…
Start as you mean to go on, eh?
NOW: check out our top 6 own-goal gluts