Townsend wins December 2018 Carling Goal of the Month

Awards

Crystal Palace winger did not realise volley at Man City was so good until he saw it on TV

Andros Townsend has won the December Carling Goal of the Month award for his sensational long-range strike at Manchester City.

The Crystal Palace winger claims the award for the second time in his career after running 80 yards to score at West Bromwich Albion in March 2017.

But Townsend admitted that he didn't realise how special his latest award-winning strike was until he saw it on television.

"We got a free-kick and the ball's dropped out of the air," Townsend said. "I just thought, 'Yeah, it's sat up perfectly, I'm going to hit this.'

"I didn't really know how good a goal it was. Everyone was saying, 'It was incredible, it was the best goal I've ever seen.'

"I just thought it was a volley from outside the box and it's not until I watched it back, then I thought, 'Oh wow, maybe that is a bit special.' "

Townsend's goal was chosen ahead of efforts by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Jose HolebasChristian EriksenVictor Camarasa, Roberto Firmino and Harry Kane.

The award was decided through a combination of votes from fans through the Carling website and the Carling Tap app, and a panel of experts.

See: 2018/19 awards winners