Premier League winners and losers: Van la Parra brilliance, Zaha howler
By Ty Finch
Winner: Rajiv Van la Parra
While there weren’t too many goals to enjoy from the afternoon slate of matches on Saturday, at least Rajiv Van la Parra had the decency to score the goal of the month.
The goal itself was simple enough to describe. Scott Malone picked up the ball from a questionable free-kick decision and drove down the left side of the pitch before laying it off to the goalscorer. Van la Parra did the rest. The midfielder took the ball onto his right foot from about 35 yards out and unleashed a powerful bending shot that, quite literally, couldn’t have been hit better.
If you ever need to describe what a “postage stamp” goal looks like to someone, just show them Van la Parra’s strike. Ben Foster couldn’t even muster any movement out of his limbs as he watched the ball sail into his net with pinpoint accuracy. When the opposing keeper can’t even move on a shot from over 30 yards out, that’s a once-in-a-career goal.
The strike was also Van la Parra’s first ever goal in the Premier League. What a way to get off the mark. Not only was it his first goal, but it gave his team all three points, as West Brom couldn’t find a way through Huddersfield’s packed defense. Even Christopher Schindler picking up second yellow early in the second half couldn’t deter the Terriers from the win.
Van la Parra’s first goal for Huddersfield was a goal of the season contender, picked up all three points and gave the fans watching the dull afternoon slate a pick-me-up. Not a bad way to open your account.