Squarefootball's Save of the Season: Szczesny, Hart, Cech, De Gea, Ruddy, Vorm or Krul - who gets your vote?
The Premier League broke records this season for the amount of goals scored over the past nine months, but the goalkeepers also pulld off some fantastic saves.
From Petr Cech, David De Gea, Joe Hart, Wojciech Szczesny, John Ruddy and Michel Vorm, the goal count could have been so much higher without their fantastic reactions.
Over the past week I've asked a straw poll of football fans for their highs and lows of the past season and today we're going to ask you to pick your save of the season. Here is what our pundits thought.
Squarefootball writer and Birmingham City fan Steve Coulter thinks there is only one contender, Petr Cech's against Liverpool in the FA Cup Final.
"If it didn't cross the line then it has to be Petr Cech's extraordinary save in the FA Cup Final. Everyone in the stadium thought Andy Carroll had scored the equaliser when he put his head on that cross. It was a save that ranks alongside Jim Montgomery in the 1973 FA Cup Final."
(Click here to see the footage. Go to 2.20 for the actual save)
Manchester City fan Callum Rothwell disgrees though. His vote, surprisingly, goes to those across the city and to Manchester United's David De Gea for his sensational stoppage time save from Chelsea's Juan Mata. The Spanish shot stopper had come in for some stick in the early half of the season but this save certainly showed us why Fergie spent so much on him.
Chelsea had fought back from three down and almost capped a remarkable comeback but for the athletism of De Gea. The save also gained the support of Chelsea fan Joe Tyler.
West Brom fan Andy Wakeman highlights his own man (well I say own man of course he is still on loan from Birmingham City) Ben Foster and his double save against Blackburn Rovers.
Manchester City's Joe Hart is widely regarded as being the best keeper in the league and he certainly proved that against Liverpool at Anfield. He made a finger tip save from a bullet Andy Carroll header and was then back on his feet in an instant to put off Luis Suarez from scoring.
(Go to 1.47 for the actaul save itself. The rest of the video highlights some fantastic saves over the season)
What about Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny? He has saved Arsenal's bacon on numerous occasions this season and save Wenger millions in the transfer market. He has made some crucial saves in games against Liverpool and Sunderland, but arguably he best save happened at Anfield. Dirk Kuyt stepped up to take a penalty and the Dutchman is usually very good from the spot but the Gunners' keeper read him like a book. He went the right way but the ball stayed in play and Kuyt looked favourite to tuck away the rebound. Szczesny had other ideas though. He was back on his feet within seconds and across to the other post to thwart the Scousers.
But let's not overlook Norwich City's John Ruddy. His performances this season have warranted a call-up to the England fold. This last-gasp stunning save from Liverpool's Luis Suarez is probably the pick of the bunch.
And what about Swansea City's Michel Vorm? Without him the Swans could have fallen back through the trapdoor. Take a look at these two crucial saves that kept Norwich City at bay.
Newcastle's Tim Krul was also one of the keepers of the past nine months. Take a look at this amazing reaction save across Scunthorpe in the Carlin Cup.
But what do you think was the best save of the past nine months?
Whatever your view, we'd love to hear from you.
Related Articles:
Squarefootball's Goal of the Season: Crouch, Cisse or Van Persie - who gets your vote?
Squarefootball's Manager of the Season: Did Newcastle's Alan Pardew make it a hat-trick of gongs?
Squarefootball's Player of the Season: Could it be anyone other than Arsenal's Robin Van Persie?
Squarefootball's Miss of the Season: Torres, Kuyt, Sinclair or Van Persie - who gets your vote?

