Livi striker sees shades of Henry in wonder strike
AT THE TONY MACARONI ARENA 2 1
JAY Emmanuel-Thomas grins as soon as talk turns to his idol.
“Thierry Henry was always one of my favourite strikers,” the Livingston forward says. “But you never in a game think you are going to have the opportunity to replicate something so similar to such a legendary goal as he scored.”
The 30-year-old is talking, of course, about his wonderful opener in Saturday’s win over Hamilton Accies, which immediately drew comparisons with Henry’s legendary strike against Manchester United at Highbury.
Much like the Frenchman, JET – as he is affectionately known – peeled off his marker, flicked the ball into the air, and volleyed an unstoppable shot towards goal. Unsurprisingly the similarity was not lost on the Livingston man.
“I was thinking about [Henry’s goal] when it was on its way to me,” said JET, whose nomadic career has taken him to the likes of Bristol, Thailand and now Lothian.
“When the ball was coming in, it was the right speed and the defender was on the right side, so I was thinking that if I could manage to shift it up and get the shot off – although I know I was a lot closer to the goal than when Thierry did it – and catch it right, then the keeper wouldn’t have a chance.
“When I struck it, I knew it was going straight in.
“Henry’s goal is one you are never going to forget. When he scored that back heel against Charlton Athletic [in 2004], I think it was another one, so two goals you are never going to forget.
“It’s not something you see very often.”
That strike by EmmanuelThomas opened the scoring on Saturday as Livingston finally ended their winless streak to secure a top-six berth for the second season running.
A Callum Smith finish – wonderful in its own right – had threatened to put a dampener on the Lions’ day, only for Lee Hodson to inadvertently tee-up Scott Pittman for an easy winner.
As well as being Livingston’s first win since February 2, it also kept them in the race for the European places.
Accies defender Hakeem Odoffin cut a frustrated figure in the aftermath of the defeat but insisted that the loss would not affect squad morale.
“There weren’t a lot of chances for either team in the game but they’ve just edged it and won,” he said.
“You have to kind of have amnesia and just forget about the game. We will move on because it’s that time of the season when every game is crucial. It’s disappointing but the lads’ focus now moves on to next week.”
PARTICK THISTLE played their first minutes of football since Boxing Day yesterday as Ian McCall’s outfit faced off against Hearts in a bounce game.
Robbie Neilson’s Championship-topping side won the Firhill encounter, but it was a vital 90 minutes for the Jags as they continued preparations for their League One return on Saturday.
Christophe Berra and Euan Henderson were on target for Hearts after Shea Gordon opened the scoring for the hosts.
Recent additions Chris Erskine, Andy Geggan, Ross MacIver, Cammy Bell and Adam Devine all got their first taste of playing under McCall.
Speaking after the match, Jags goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon told the club’s media channel: “I think it was a good exercise for the boys out there today against a strong Hearts team.
“That will stand us in good stead going into next week when the serious stuff starts. It is great for all the boys to be back playing. I think we have all waited long enough for it so we are buzzing and ready to go.”
Thistle’s return to league action starts with Cove Rangers visiting Firhill. Seven days later, on March 27, McCall’s team travel to The Penny Cars Stadium to take on Airdrieonians.
The remaining League One fixtures are expected to be released this week once the competition’s format has been finalised.
BRIGHTON moved out of the relegation zone yesterday courtesy of a 2-1 win over Southampton at St Mary’s.
Graham Potter’s side started the day two points behind Newcastle United in 18th spot but leapfrogged Steve Bruce’s men with the morale-boosting victory over the Saints.
Lewis Dunk gave the visitors an early lead, only for Che Adams restored parity shortly before half time.
Leandro Trossard struck in the 54th minute to give the Seagulls a precious lead and they held on to claim a valuable three points.
Elsewhere, former Hibs manager Paul Heckingbottom endured a debut to forget at Sheffield United as a Kelechi Iheanacho-inspired Leicester put five past the Blades.
The Nigeria internationalist bagged a hat-trick as the Foxes blew their opponents away, with Ayoze Perez also getting on the scoresheet. The fifth and final goal arrived via Ethan Ampadu, who turned the ball into his own net.
Arsenal came out on top in the North London derby, seeing off their rivals 2-1 in a thrilling encounter.
Erik Lamela gave Spurs the lead with an outrageous finish early on before Kieran
Tierney teed up Martin Odegaard for the equaliser.
Alexandre Lacazette then nudged the Gunners ahead from the penalty spot with around half-an-hour to go before Lamela was dismissed for accruing two bookings in quick succession.
In the late kick-off, Manchester United welcomed David Moyes’ high-flying West Ham to Old Trafford, with the visitors’ Craig Dawson’s own goal giving the hosts the three points.