We have reached the quarter-final stage in our search for Chelsea’s Ultimate Goal of the Season, with eight superlative strikes competing to make it through to the four semi-final spots.
The eight goals to have advanced were scored by five Chelsea legends, with three alone from the imperious Eden Hazard and two stunners from Michael Essien. They cover two decades of Chelsea history and include everything from acrobatic finishes to mazy dribbles and long-range thunderbolts.
Each goal will no doubt bring back its own special memories for Blues fans and have a place in the heart of all Chelsea supporters, making the decision that much harder.
The quarter-finals begin with Essien facing off against himself, with his rasping 30-yard effort against Arsenal taking on his magnificent left-footed volley versus Barcelona.
Hazard’s first quarter-final entry is his famous top-corner equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur, taking on that memorable Ramires chip in the Nou Camp.
And the magical Belgian is guaranteed at least one semi-final spot as he goes up against himself in the third tie, with his sublime run and finish at Anfield facing off against his powerful solo run against Arsenal.
Rounding off our quarter-finals are two of the most recent entrants to our Goal of the Season catalogue. Last season’s sumptuous overhead strike from Joao Pedro takes on Moises Caicedo’s outrageous effort from the halfway line in 2024.
Vote now!
You can watch all the pairings below, relive each special moment and choose your favourite in each quarter-final by voting in our four polls on the Chelsea Official App. These will be tight, so make sure you have your say!
Quarter-final 1
Michael Essien vs Arsenal - 2007
Essien’s strike made it out of Group A and it is not difficult to see why. With the Blues behind to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, Frank Lampard laid the ball off to Michael around 30 yards out and the midfielder let rip with a glorious swerving strike that flew into the top corner.
Michael Essien vs Barcelona - 2009
Essien’s second contender for the Ultimate Goal of the Season title also came at Stamford Bridge. This time, in the Champions League, where his incredible left-footed effort crashed in off the underside of the crossbar. The Ghanaian met a looping ball on the volley from outside the box and watched as it flew in off the crossbar to give us the lead against Barcelona.
Quarter-final 2
Ramires vs Barcelona - 2012
On an unforgettable night at the Nou Camp, Ramires’s strike brought us level in the tie and ahead on away goals, setting us on course to our first Champions League trophy. The Brazilian raced on to Frank Lampard’s exquisitely weighted pass and produced the most audacious of finishes as his first-time chip over Victor Valdes found the back of the net.
Eden Hazard vs Tottenham - 2016
A fabulous goal saw Eden Hazard end Spurs’ Premier League title hopes during the famous ‘Battle of the Bridge’ match. Linking up superbly with Diego Costa, Hazard latched onto the return ball and curled a beautiful first-time effort into the top corner to send the Blues faithful into delirium.
Quarter-final 3
Eden Hazard vs Liverpool - 2019
Hazard once again did it himself when settling a Carabao Cup tie at Anfield. After receiving the ball in the middle of the park, Eden nutmegged Roberto Firmino before exchanging passes with Cesar Azpilicueta. Hazard then burst into the box, producing a second nutmeg on his run, this time on Alberto Moreno, before firing in an unstoppable finish across goal from a tight angle. A truly wondrous moment from the sensational star.
Eden Hazard vs Arsenal - 2017
Two of Hazard’s most glorious Chelsea efforts go head to head in this tie, with his strike against Arsenal showing everything Eden had to offer the Blues. Picking up possession inside his own half, the Belgian showed his strength to shrug off Francis Coquelin while retaining his balance to take on the Arsenal backline before calmly beating Petr Cech to register a sensational solo goal.
Quarter-final 4
Joao Pedro vs Nottingham Forest - 2026
Joao Pedro made it 20 for the season in his debut campaign with a sensational strike against Nottingham Forest. Controlling Marc Cucurella’s header with his chest, the Brazilian instinctively produced an acrobatic overhead kick that flew into the far corner of the goal.
Moises Caicedo vs Bournemouth - 2024
Few players can have got off the mark for us in such stupendous fashion as Moises Caicedo. Collecting a loose clearance just inside our own half, Caicedo smashed an inch-perfect effort over the desperately retreating defender and into the empty net from the halfway line.
Return tomorrow (Friday) to find out the goals that have advanced to the semi-finals - that vote will take place on Saturday, before the grand final on Monday!