The 2012-13 Premier League season concluded at the weekend, with Manchester United ending the campaign as champions while Wigan Athletic, Queens Park Rangers and Reading were relegated.
Here, AFP Sports selects the five most memorable goals from the season:
Luis Suarez for Liverpool v Newcastle United (h), November 4
The Uruguayan striker finished the season in disgrace after being given a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, but in November he scored one of the most breath-takingly innovative goals the Premier League has ever seen. Running onto a 70-yard pass from Jose Enrique, Suarez held off Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini and somehow contrived to cushion the ball on his left shoulder before neatly side-stepping goalkeeper Tim Krul and brushing the ball home.
Gareth Bale for Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City (a), January 30
Bale scored several stunning long-range goals over the course of the campaign – nine from outside the penalty area – but his best individual effort came at Carrow Road. The Welshman collected the ball 10 yards inside his own half and embarked on a surging run down the inside-right channel that left defenders trailing in his wake before lashing a left-foot shot inside the left-hand post from 15 yards.
Rafael da Silva for Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers (a), February 23
Having scored a fine goal in a 2-1 win at Liverpool in September, Rafael proved it was no fluke by netting a screamer at Loftus Road in February. A cross from teammate Robin van Persie was parried to the edge of the box by QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar and the Brazilian full-back met the ball with a crisp drive from 22 yards that exploded off his right foot and arrowed into the top-left corner.
Matthew Lowton for Aston Villa v Stoke City (a), April 6
Lowton, a 23-year-old English right-back, produced one of the moments of the season when he scored a blockbuster to tip a relegation tussle at the Britannia Stadium in his side’s favour. The score was 1-1 when, with only three minutes to play, Lowton controlled a high ball on his chest and sent a dipping volley past Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from 30 yards. His jubilant celebration was almost as momentous as the goal itself.
Robin van Persie for Manchester United v Aston Villa (h), April 22
The key piece in the United title jigsaw, Van Persie applied the perfect coup de grace with the second goal of a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Villa that secured the league crown. Released by Wayne Rooney’s lofted pass, the Dutchman met the ball just outside the area with a technically impeccable volley that flashed past goalkeeper Brad Guzan and sent Old Trafford into raptures.