The EFL have now released the winners of the December Goal of the Month competition for the Championship, League One and League Two.
December gave plenty of strikes to consider but the EFL have now picked each of the division winners from the past month.
The winners of the EFL Goals of the Month are chosen by a fan poll on Skysports.com and the shortlist for the poll is decided by a judging panel following suggestions from supporters via Twitter.
The judging panel is made up of Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman, Sky Bet Sponsorship Manager David Tweed and EFL Senior Media Manager Rob Meaden.
December’s winners are as follows:
Championship:
Adam Reach: Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest – 26th December
Sheffield Wednesday winger Adam Reach is the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month winner for December, receiving 53% of the public vote. Not content with his November award, Reach was at it again on Boxing Day, connecting so powerfully with a bouncing clearance that the ball was still rising as it struck the net.
Don Goodman said of the goal.
‘It`s safe to say that Adam Reach is having one of his most consistent seasons to date and the confidence he`s exuding is allowing him to take on shots from range. He followed up last month`s wonder-strike against Aston Villa with an arguably even better one this month.’
Reach added.
‘It feels just as good as the first time. It`s always good to win a personal award and just like the previous one it came in a win for the team which is always nice. They were both different goals with different feet but this one is probably more special to me because it was with my right foot and they don`t come along too often. I might go a couple of seasons without hitting another one like that and I`ve managed to do two in two months.’
Bristol City`s Jamie Paterson and Sheffield United`s David Brooks completed the Championship shortlist.
League One:
Graham Carey: Plymouth Argyle v Blackpool – 30th December
Plymouth winger Graham Carey is the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month winner for December, receiving 55% of the public vote. Carey combined determination and technique as he chased a flick-on. Running towards the corner flag, he swivelled and struck the sweetest of strikes into the far top corner.
Goodman explained.
‘Graham Carey has won this award more than any other player since its inception at the beginning of last season and with goals like this it`s easy to see why. Few in English football would have the audacity to take on a shot from there and even fewer have the technical ability to pull it off – he simply makes scoring incredible goals look easy.’
Carey added.
‘I don`t really turn down any opportunity to shoot and I think we have a license here to try things, especially the attacking players and luckily enough most of them come off. I saw the ball drop to Sonny Bradley at the back and I knew at that time of the half he was going to try and turn them and that is what he did. Tayls flicked it on and to be fair I was looking for Tayls to get in the box as well, but he never made it, so I was like ‘I might as well have a shot` and made a good connection with it and it went in. We knew weren`t doing well enough individually and collectively and we kind of changed our game plan a little bit. We are a bit harder to beat now and I think, with the attacking players we have, we can counter-attack any team and we are creating a lot more chances and scoring a lot more goals which is a positive.’
Oldham Athletic’s Eoin Doyle and Walsall’s Erhun Oztumer completed the League One shortlist.
League Two:
Otis Khan: Yeovil Town v Morecambe – 29th December
Yeovil Town forward Otis Khan is the Sky Bet League Two Goal of the Month winner for December, receiving 46% of the public vote. Shielding the ball as he drove towards the area, Khan exchanged passes with teammate Jake Gray, took one touch and then looped his unstoppable shot into the far corner.
Goodman explained.
‘Khan is one of the most exciting attacking talents in League Two and this goal vindicates his growing reputation. The strength and confidence behind his driving run from midfield was as impressive as the composed finish which flew with power and accuracy over the Morecambe keeper.’
Khan added.
‘It feels incredible. This is obviously a massive award to have, my first one, I`m really over the moon and I couldn`t be happier. I`ve come inside from the left and found a little pocked of space. I`ve got the ball on the half turn and just been direct, took the player on, laid it off to Jake, got it back and I knew the keeper was creeping out a bit so I thought if I put it in the other corner then I would be alright, so I reversed it and I`m happy it went in.’
Crewe Alexandra`s Callum Ainley and Barnet`s Jamal Campbell-Ryce completed the League Two shortlist.
