The best goal celebrations goading rival fans as PL returns to empty grounds

The Premier League will be back next week but not as we know it, as the remainder of the campaign will be played in empty stadiums.

The coronavirus crisis means supporters will be unable to attend matches for the foreseeable future, creating a sterile atmosphere at grounds even when there will be plenty to play for as we head towards the run-in.

That means plenty of fun will be missed, notably the lighthearted goading that takes place when players celebrate goals in front of rival fans, and these are some of the most memorable of those moments...

Eric Dier vs Arsenal (2018)

There is an element of art to celebrating in front of rival supporters, and sometimes it's best just to keep your powder dry.

Spurs players have previous when it comes to the old favourite of putting the finger to the lips after 'silencing' the fans with a goal in a north London derby, with Rafael van der Vaart and Nacer Chadli having done so at the Emirates Stadium down the years.

However, while there was nothing wrong with Dier's celebration technique as he equalised for Spurs in the first half, it did little to inspire his side in the long run. Instead he just kicked a hornet's nest. First of all it sparked a big scuffle between both sets of players, then Arsenal eventually triumphed 4-2 after coming from behind after half-time.

Wayne Rooney vs Manchester City (2017)

Wayne Rooney was back in Everton colours following his summer move from Manchester United, and two games into his second spell at his boyhood club it was clear he hadn't lost his Red Devils' instinct to wind up Manchester City supporters.

After firing Everton into a shock lead at the Etihad Stadium, Rooney casually jogged away in front of the City supporters and cupped his ears for what was his 200th Premier League goal.

It looked like being the winning goal for a long time in the fixture before Raheem Sterling netted an equaliser eight minutes from time for a side who would go on to win the Premier League.

Mason Mount vs Southampton (2019)

Since he was six years old Mount has been under Chelsea's wing, so what made the Blues midfielder feel the need to goad Southampton supporters with both hands behind his ears in front of earlier this season?

The clue is his birthplace of Portsmouth, and as a former season-ticket holder at Fratton Park the 21-year-old doesn't need a second invitation to play pantomime villain in front of the Saints' faithful given the fierce rivalry between the south coast sides.

His strike back in October gave Chelsea a 2-0 lead before they eventually strolled to a 4-1 victory and no one would have enjoyed those three points more than the England star.

Jamie Vardy vs Manchester City (2016)

One label you won't associate with Jamie Vardy is 'shy and retiring' so it's hardly surprising that when goaded by rival supporters he isn't hesitant to respond in kind.

If anything the interaction he has with fans only ever seems to enhance his performances, with his profile growing in tandem with the target on his back and seeing him lead the Premier League scoring charts this season with 19 goals.

He may even relish opposition fans. Pure satisfaction radiated from his face after reminding Manchester City fans of the scoreline during the celebrations of Leicester's third goal at the Etihad Stadium on their way to a 3-1 victory in 2016.

Dele Alli vs Chelsea (2018)

Tottenham's record at Chelsea during the Premier League era has been nothing short of atrocious, with just one victory at Stamford Bridge since 1990.

So usually the script for when Spurs visit their London rivals is turn up, get jeered by home fans for 90 minutes then leave with no points, or maybe one if they are lucky. Even that one point can even be as good as a defeat, such as the rancorous 2-2 draw in May 2016 that handed the title to Leicester.

But in 2018, Spurs stunned the Chelsea supporters to come from behind and claim a big 3-1 victory, with Dele Alli firing Mauricio Pochettino's side ahead before then doubling the lead. Cue a lot of stunned and angry Chelsea fans when he cupped his ear towards them during the victory.

Steven Gerrard vs Everton (2001)

Liverpool had fallen a goal down at Merseyside rivals Everton in a 2001 derby so the home fans were buoyant inside Goodison Park even as the Reds pressed for an equaliser.

They soon got it just six minutes after Kevin Campbell's fifth-minute opener when Steven Gerrard lashed home across goal.

This was a more friendly derby at the time, so it was not unusual to see Liverpool fans dotted in the home section but even so, Gerrard knew his target as he sprinted down the touchline with his hand cupped to his ear, then even poking his tongue out, mouth wide open to increase the antagonism as Liverpool would go on to win 3-1.

Eric Cantona vs Leeds United (1996)

Eric Cantona doesn't have the best track record when it comes to interaction with supporters if his kung-fu actions at Crystal Palace in 1995 are anything to go by.

What one of English football's most infamous incidents didn't do though was put Manchester United's classy French forward off when it came to goading supporters.

Sometimes he would stumble into the opportunity. After attacking the far post to score United's fourth in a 4-0 win at Leeds in 1997, he found himself mere metres in front of home supporters as he regained ground.

Jog away? No, in true Cantona fashion he squared up to fans of his former club and raised his arms provoking a furious reaction. Ryan Giggs soon helped urge him away perhaps fearing Cantona was about to taste the other side of a kung-fu kick.

Thierry Henry vs Tottenham (2002)

It's one of the defining images of the north London derby and from an Arsenal perspective it was deemed memorable enough to turn into a statue outside the Emirates Stadium.

For Tottenham fans it was bad enough seeing Thierry Henry collect the ball from inside his own half, run almost effortlessly through the midfield towards a petrified defence before slotting home the opening goal in a 3-0 crushing of Spurs in a 2002 clash.

Henry though wasn't done. To celebrate he ran towards the opposite end, slid on his knees in front of the Spurs supporters around 20 yards away and stayed there as if he was absorbing all the vitriol and transferring it into some kind of positive energy.

Regardless of his future success at Arsenal, legendary status among Gunners fans would have already been cemented there and then.

Gary Neville vs Liverpool (2006)

Sometimes emotions can be just too difficult to control. Take Gary Neville's celebration for a late Manchester United winner against Liverpool in 2006.

Against their most bitter rivals, Rio Ferdinand had popped up in the last minute to head in a winning goal at Old Trafford, leading to wild jubilation among home fans and players.

None more so than United full-back and lifelong supporter Neville, whose emotions exploded like a shaken up can of cola as he sprinted towards the away end at Old Trafford and gestured towards Liverpool fans by holding up the United badge and screaming manically. To think some suggest footballers don't care...

Emmanuel Adebayor vs Arsenal (2009)

Now we come to the gold standard of winding up supporters, which has been set by Emmanuel Adebayor.

The striker had quit Arsenal under a cloud in the summer of 2009, joining Manchester City for what was then a large transfer fee of £25million.

Just two months into the new season, Arsenal travelled to the Etihad Stadium and an entertaining game looked like heading City's way when Adebayor headed home to make it 3-1 in game that would finish 4-2.

To celebrate, he sprinted the entire length of the pitch before sliding on his knees in front of the Arsenal supporters and opening up his arms to provoke total fury among the travelling support.

Such was his dedication to make his point, you do wonder if that celebration was the fastest he ever moved on a Premier League pitch.