sport news Ismaila Sarr, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Patrick Schick: the best halfway ... trends now
Ismaila Sarr stunned everyone on Monday night with a sensational goal from his own half to open the scoring against West Brom.
After a headed clearance, Sarr trapped the ball before shifting it out of his feet and, noting Baggies keeper David Button was off his line, struck a perfect lob from inside his own half and over Button's head into the net.
The finish was so good that many pundits and fans said afterwards the Championship's goal of the season award might as well already be given to the Senegal international.
But it isn't only Sarr who can summon the spectacular from the halfway line. There have been plenty of jaw-dropping goals from similar range down the years and Sportsmail salutes some of the best here.
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Ismaila Sarr (left) scored a wondergoal from his own half in Watford's 1-1 draw with West Brom
David Beckham (Wimbledon vs MANCHESTER UNITED, 1996)
The halfway line goal that tends to spring to mind is David Beckham's stunning 60-yard effort at Wimbledon on the opening day of the 1996-97 Premier League season.
Beckham, just 21 at the time, announced himself as a truly world class talent when he looked up, saw keeper Neil Sullivan off his line and expertly lobbed him to secure United's 3-0 win at Selhurst Park.
Beckham was fortunate it hit the net because his manager Alex Ferguson said afterwards: 'He tried it about 10 minutes before he scored and I said to my assistant Brian Kidd, 'if he tries that again, he's off.'
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David Beckham celebrates his famous goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996
Beckham announced himself as a world class talent when he netted against Wimbledon
'When the goal goes in, Kiddo turns to me and says, 'we'll have to take him off!''
Beckham has since highlighted the effect that goal had in transforming him into a household name: 'It changed my life. The ball seemed to be in the air for hours and it all went quiet.
'Then the ball went in and it just erupted. I was on cloud nine. I just wanted to shake everybody's hand and be out on the pitch for an hour.'
Patrik Schick (Scotland vs CZECH REPUBLIC, 2021)Much anticipation awaited Scotland's first game at a men's major tournament in 23 years at a boisterous Hampden Park but Patrik Schick had other ideas.
The Czech forward, who had opened the scoring in the first half, picked up the ball on the half way line after a Jack Hendry shot was blocked.
Patrik Schick's wonder goal against Scotland was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award 2021
The Czech striker lobbed Scotland keeper David Marshall to silence the Hampden Park crowd
Schick went on to net five times at Euro 2020, level with Golden Boot winner Cristiano Ronaldo
Without even looking up, his first time shot arrowed over David Marshall in the Scotland net and punctured the carnival atmosphere in Glasgow.
The goal was so good that it was a finalist for the FIFA Puskas Award 2021.
It was also voted Euro 2020 goal of the tournament and the Bayer Leverkusen forward topped the scoring charts for the tournament with five goals, level with Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Kemar Roofe (Standard Liege vs RANGERS, 2020)Facing a side who hadn't lost at home in Europe for six years was supposed to be tough but Rangers made things look easy thanks to Kemar Roofe.
Having travelled to Belgium, Steven Gerrard's side were 1-0 up and under pressure in stoppage time before Roofe picked up the ball midway inside his own half, rode three challenges and caught Standard Liege keeper Arnaud Bodart off his line as he scored from inside his own half.
The goal was measured at 54.6 yards, at the time the longest distance ever for a goal scored in the Europa League.
It did little to improve Roofe's popularity in the stadium, with the forward having previously played for Liege's domestic rivals Anderlecht.
Gerrard was effusive in his praise of Roofe after the game. He said: 'None of my goals were in that league. I think it was a moment of genius.
'And it's probably the best goal I've seen live - and I've been a professional since 1998. Unbelievable strike and he deserves all the plaudits for it.'
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Kemar Roofe scored a screamer against Standard Liege from 54.6 yards in the Europa League
Steven Gerrard hailed Roofe's stunner and said it was 'probably the best goal I've seen live'
Charlie Adam (Chelsea vs STOKE CITY, 2015)
Any trip to Stamford Bridge is tough, but especially so when Jose Mourinho was in charge of Chelsea - he went 77 games unbeaten there as manager across two spells until he first tasted a home defeat.
But Stoke City came mighty close to getting something at Mourinho's fortress thanks to Charlie Adam.
The Scottish midfielder picked up the ball inside his own half, noticed Thibaut Courtois was off his line, and lofted the ball over the Belgian from 65 yards.
Though Courtois managed to sprint back and get a hand to the ball, it was too little, too late.
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Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was off his line and paid the price as the ball sailed in
Chelsea went on to win 2-1 but Adam's goal was still the main takeaway from the game, with Mourinho saying: 'It was a fantastic goal, every player in the world would like to score a goal like that.
'Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi to all these brilliant players. Not all of them did score that goal in their careers.'
Dejan Stankovic (INTER MILAN vs Schalke, 2011)
It was an abysmal night for Inter Milan as they lost 5-2 at home to Schalke in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final despite being reigning champions.
But it had all started so brightly when Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic volleyed them into the lead after only 25 seconds from a ludicrous distance.
Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer lived up to his 'sweeper keeper' reputation by coming out bravely to head away a through ball but left his goal vacant.
Stankovic struck a clean first-time volley from just inside the Schalke half and its perfect trajectory carried the ball home without a single bounce.
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