You won’t see too many better goals this weekend than the one scored by Jesse Lingard against Middlesbrough.
The Manchester United winger waltzed through the Boro defence before blasting the ball into the top corner of Victor Valdes’ net.
But while the finish caught the eye, some were a little taken aback by Lingard’s celebration, in which he appeared to be commemorating St Patrick’s Day.
Great goal, not so great celebration. pic.twitter.com/Xv9bcvPH24
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 19, 2017
Now, we have nothing against extravagant or over-elaborate celebrations, as we made perfectly clear after Dele Alli’s recent displays.
By our reckoning, if you score a great goal then you can do whatever the hell you want, within reason.
That doesn’t mean others weren’t asking questions, however…
Loooool he did a St Patrick's Day themed celebration 😂😂😂 Piper Lingard FC
— M (@GunmanMartial) March 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/NyeBeverage/status/843451905359691776
Jesse Lingard with another excruciating celebration. #MIDMUN pic.twitter.com/DmaYJR72XX
— Shane Dawson (@SDawsonSport) March 19, 2017
Great finish by Lingard but that celebration cancels it out 😷
— Nick Wood (@nickwood40) March 19, 2017
We slag Kane & Ali off for the celebration antics, Lingard falls into that bracket the turd.
— Wilson (@willy114) March 19, 2017
Lingard scored a beauty but ruined it with that weird celebration.
— SG (@chasingcarsg) March 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/acinmanc/status/843452178287222784
Lingard’s goal put Manchester United 2-0 up at the Riverside Stadium, adding to a first-half opener from Marouane Fellaini. Rudy Gestede managed to pull one back, but Antonio Valencia sealed victory with a late third.
The 3-1 victory lifted them back above Everton and Arsenal and into fifth place in the Premier League, just three points adrift of fourth-place Liverpool with a game in hand.
