When Wayne Rooney's inch perfect pass dropped over the shoulder of Robin van Persie against Aston Villa there was a real feeling that the Old Trafford crowd were about to witness something special. There are very few players who you would expect to score from such a position, and even fewer capable of executing a skill that has become something of a trademark from the Dutchman.
That the strike, which was his and Manchester United's second of the game, effectively secured the title was quite fitting from a player who has made all the difference for the Red Devils this season. It was a volley of the ilk he had scored against the likes of Charlton, Liverpool and Everton whilst playing for Arsenal, but if at all possible, the connection was the best yet.
In the past he's caught efforts low down his shin, but this was perfect, and indeed, from the pass, to the run and culminating strike everything about the goal was impeccable. While Alex Song's delivery to the Dutchman on a couple of occasions last season was sublime, it's hard to think of another combination of Premier League players that could recreate the brilliance of that goal, causing Alex Ferguson to celebrate a-la Eric Cantona, upturned collar aside.
A hat-trick on Monday night took van Persie's league tally to 24 for the season and back above that of Luis Suarez. In turn it has effectively earned him the Golden Boot for the second season running in England, with the Uruguayan unlikely to play again this season due to an apparent penchant for the taste of Serbian arms. On reflection, despite a slump that ended just over a week ago (unfortunately for Villa), the United man deserves to scoop the top goalscorer gong.
The Dutch international's league goals have earned his new side a league high from a single player of 25 points, including all three on Monday, while Suarez's goals have directly won Liverpool just 11 in comparison. That's not to belittle the South American's threat, which has been phenomenal throughout the season, but merely highlights the sheer importance of van Persie's strikes with regards to the title race this season. It was only right that he should score the goals to secure a first ever league title from a personal perspective, and United's 20th in the top-flight.
A look at a breakdown of the striker's shot placement (above) shows that he's found the net in all areas of the goal. Nine of his 24 league goals have been placed in the bottom right corner of the goal, while he's picked a spot in the top corners 7 times. When he has aimed high and either side of the keeper, he's only had two shots saved all season, both to the right, with few able to reach his precisely placed efforts.
The strike that stole the show in United's title winning game was his third from outside the box this season, with the others coming in the dying minutes against West Brom and Man City respectively. He also netted from virtually on the goal line to open the scoring against Villa, and his poaching qualities have led to 7 goals from inside the 6-yard box. While many will claim that 'their nan could have scored' some of those, grandparents are unlikely to possess the movement and nous that van Persie expertly showcased on Monday night.
Two of his efforts from inside the 6-yard area this season were headers, coming from a near identical location on the pitch (highlighted in yellow above) against Southampton and Tottenham respectively, while two have come from the penalty spot. He's netted 16 times thus far with his incredibly trustee left foot, including his entire hat-trick against Paul Lambert's side, with the remaining 6 coming from his weaker, but still significantly effective, right boot.
While van Persie could have scored ten on Monday without it influencing his chances of picking up a consecutive PFA Player of the Year awards, with the votes cast weeks ago, few could argue that his influence at Old Trafford will see the Premier League crown restored to its familiar surroundings in the United trophy cabinet.
