Yeboah's Thunderbolt Five

[YorkshireSquare]

It was on this day 31 years ago (blimey am I that old) back in 1995 that Tony Yeboah scored one of the greatest goals in not just Leeds United’s history but probably in Premier League history. No, not that one! The other one against Wimbledon. Exotic names were appearing on teamsheets across the land in the 1995-96 season; Ruud Gullit at Chelsea, Dennis Bergkamp at Arsenal, Georgi Kinkladze at Man City. But in the early weeks of the 1995-1996 season only one man was stealing the headlines, Tony Yeboah. Leeds United's Ghanaian striker embarked on a an incredible goalscoring run which made him a cult hero and King of the Thunderbolt. Here is a selection of his most impressive goals for Leeds during that run.


Leeds United 3, Manchester United 1
24th December 1995

Tony Yeboah will always be remembered for his thunderbolts, but his goal against Manchester United on Christmas eve 1995 proves he wasn’t just a one trick pony. Latching onto a lose ball just inside the Manchester United half he tied Dennis Irwin in knots before coolly chipping over Peter Schmeichel to bring Leeds back level and ruin Alex Ferguson’s Christmas just before half time.

Leeds United 2, Sheffield Wednesday 0
30th September 1995

It wasn’t just crossbars that feared for their lives with Tony Yeboah around, the back of the net quivered in perpetual fear too. Yeboah received a pass from Gary McAllister surrounded by three defenders, but a couple of touches were all he needed to open up space for the shot. And what a shot! The ball hit low and hard into the bottom corner, Kevin Pressman stood no chance, the net was lucky to survive. Foot like a traction engine as the great Alan Partridge once said.

West Ham 1, Leeds United 2
19th August 1995

Tony Yeboah scored twice in the 2-1 win at Upton Park on the opening day of the season. His first was an impressive header, his second a moment of quite exquisite savagery as Yeboah’s left peg unleashed the most unprovoked act of violence in the East End since the days of Ronnie and Reggie Kray. The ball sizzled past Ludek Miklosko and back out again before the giant Czech could even react.

Leeds United 1, Liverpool 0
21st August 1995

Yeboah’s 16th goal in 18 starts for his new club. Tony Dorigo clipped an aerial ball forward and little Rod Wallace won the header. From then on, it’s the stuff of dreams. The ball seemingly suspended in mid-air, then a thunderbolt of a volley that defied the laws of space and time. David James couldn’t believe what he’d seen. He was accustomed to picking the ball out of the net, though nothing quite like this.

Wimbledon 2, Leeds United 4
23rd September 1995

I know everyone loves the goal against Liverpool, it was an absolute screamer but for me the goal he scored just a month later against Wimbledon was better. A rank defensive header was firstly chested, then cushioned on the thigh. A dummy left the oncoming defender for dead and then the right peg smeared it into the net, off the bar for good measure. Five touches, two seconds, one vintage thunderbolt.

Tony Yeboah, Thunderbolt, 1995-1996

[YorkshireSquare]

Didn't mess about did he?

What an absolute privilege it was to see him play for Leeds.

[Bon]

One of the best strikers we ever had, a thunderbolt of a shot with BOTH feet and didn't get bullied .
His hat trick in monaco was worth the week long trip as well.

[1964white]

One of the best strikers we ever had, a thunderbolt of a shot with BOTH feet and didn't get bullied .
His hat trick in monaco was worth the week long trip as well.

You lucky man!

I was at the other games.

[1964white]

Yeboah & Strachan are two of my favourite players outside the Revie-era.

[Bon]

Yeboah & Strachan are two of my favourite players outside the Revie-era.

Now theres a good idea for another thread: best 11 + 3 subs outside the revie era

[rich_leeds64]

One of the best strikers we ever had, a thunderbolt of a shot with BOTH feet and didn't get bullied .
His hat trick in monaco was worth the week long trip as well

My favourite was the Wimbledon goal because I thought he’d never beat the Liverpool goal. I too was fortunate to witness his hat trick in Monaco, this was my European away debut watching the mighty whites

[1964white]

My favourite was the Wimbledon goal because I thought he’d never beat the Liverpool goal. I too was fortunate to witness his hat trick in Monaco, this was my European away debut watching the mighty whites
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Another lucky man, and what a debut, Rich.

The Wimbledon game was special.

Carlton Palmer thought he'd score the goal of the game & then Yeboah bangs that one in.

One of my favourite away days.

[YorkshireSquare]

My favourite was the Wimbledon goal because I thought he’d never beat the Liverpool goal. I too was fortunate to witness his hat trick in Monaco, this was my European away debut watching the mighty whites
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120 Francs? Bargain!

[Bon]

My favourite was the Wimbledon goal because I thought he’d never beat the Liverpool goal. I too was fortunate to witness his hat trick in Monaco, this was my European away debut watching the mighty whites
IMG_0002.jpeg

Even hard man vinnie pulled out of a tackle in the winbledon goal

[weasel]

I was going to say that his goal v Monaco should be in the highlight reel too, the one where, if memory serves, he got the ball from a throw in and then curled it into the top corner.

Annyoingly I went to the second leg at ER and we lost 1-0 I think.

Saw Yeboah in the flesh a few times but never got to see him score. Missed an absolute sitter against QPR (I think, though it might have been Villa). Bizarrely though got to see Carlton Palmer score a worldie (think it was a last minute consolation in a 4-1 loss). 'Funny ol' game,' as another great striker used to say.

[rich_leeds64]

120 Francs? Bargain!

If my memory serves me well there was around 10 Francs to the pound back then, the down side was a beer was a similar price to the match ticket