First things first, we’re big fans of Shane Long.
That goal against Germany, that goal against England, his hurling heritage, that goal against Germany, he plays guitar, that goal against Germany… we like the cut of his jib.
But, for a striker, he does not score a huge number of goals. He works like a dog, he runs the channels, he makes defenders’ lives miserable and he doesn’t know the meaning of a lost cause.
But he does not score very many goals. Until now!!
Well, it’s all relative, but his double during Southampton’s 4-0 St Stephen’s Day romp past Arsenal doubled his Premier League tally for the season – bringing it to four.
This does does not sound very impressive, but between injuries and the form of Italy’s top man Graziano Pelle he has not played too many games at St Mary’s this term.
It was not as impressive as Cuco Martina’s Roberto Carloesque opener but Long’s first was a close-range finish, featuring a good takedown and a judicious trip on Laurent Koscielny.
The injury-time second was classic Long – showing a clean pair of heels to the defence before shooting on sight past Petr Cech.
3 – Shane Long has committed more fouls than any other player in the Southampton v Arsenal match so far. Clip.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2015
Four goals in five starts this season – which translates to a goal every 147 minutes for the Tipperary man. Better than a goal every other game and much better than last season, when he managed five goals in 16 starts (one goal every 308 minutes).
He scored a few (four) vital goals during his brief spell at Hull, but in 16 starts they translated to one every 302 minutes.
His best spell in recent seasons was at West Bromwich Albion, where he scored 19 goals in 60 starts (one goal every 284 minutes).
While we don’t have his goals-per-minute stats to hand for his spell at Reading, there is no doubt he was at his most prolific with his first English club.
Forty-four league goals in 174 appearances (95 starts) for the Royals compares very well to what has come since but both Ronald Koeman and Martin O’Neill will be hoping this is the beginning of a return to that kind of form.
He could have had a hat-trick too – hitting the post after beating Petr Cech all ends up with a sharp right-footed shot, just before he did get his second.
He was so good BT Sport’s Robbie Savage took the man of the match award from Victor Wanyama to reward Long’s deadliness.
Bring on West Ham on Monday.
