When A Pitch Invader Took A Better Free Kick Than Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen might be the most beloved footballer on the planet right now, but once upon a time a West Ham fan tried, and managed, to show him up during a pitch invasion.

Eriksen's incredible recovery from a cardiac arrest during a game for Denmark in the Euros last summer back to being a Premier League player was the feelgood story in sport.

The Dane impressed during his spell with Brentford, which came about after Inter Milan had to release him as he couldn't play with his heart monitor in Italy.

So good was he that Manchester United have been linked with signing him this summer, and there's constantly been talk of a return to Tottenham Hotspur too.

Eriksen is already loved in that part of north London for his spell from 2013-2020 and back in 2014 he was playing for Spurs against West Ham, when he lined up to take a free kick.

At that point a pitch invader ran on and nipped in front of the midfielder to take the free kick, managing to get it on target. When he'd been removed and Eriksen was actually able to take the set piece, and his effort went over.

Whilst fans don't always love a pitch invader, especially after the recent attacks during them, there's a lot of love for the free kick taker online.

"Ran the full length of the pitch, didn't break stride, up over the wall and with his left foot. On target. Brilliant," one commenter said.

"The free-kick was actually taken quite well , over the wall and towards the corner, decent strike.

"The security guys were not actually running after him , they we're running to him to celebrate that gorgeous deliverance," a second added.

"I hate pitch invaders, but this lad had class. Hits the free kick and gets it into the top right corner. Respect," another impressed fan said.

At least someone gave Eriksen a great excuse for his miss, saying, "The sheer class in that first freekick left too much pressure on the actual player to follow up on and he absolutely bombed it."

Eriksen playing against World champions France, less than a year after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch is incredible. Image: Alamy

Spurs did go on to win that game 1-0, thanks to Eric Dier's last minute winner, although there's no doubt that the free kick was the highlight.

Fans of Antonio Conte's side would surely love to see him back in their team, having given him a huge ovation when they played Brentford towards the end of the season.