Newcastle United's Dwight Gayle, Jay Spearing of Bolton Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle's Graham Carey are the Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month winners for August 2016.
Dwight Gayle - (Newcastle United) v Reading
Suggested by @davearmstrong94
The first of two goals in the game for Newcastle’s new number nine.
Gayle lined up the 30-yard free-kick and hit a fierce curling effort into the top left-hand corner of Ali Al-Habsi’s goal.
The Toon Army ran out 4-1 winners after a hectic early season clash at St James’ Park.
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “Dwight Gayle’s second goal for Newcastle was a stunning free-kick that showed the quality this boy possesses.
“He’s proved over a number of years that he can score goals at all levels and it was a brave move to join the Toon Army in search of more playing time.
“The skill required to hit the ball with enough power and precision to beat Al-Habsi from nearly 30 yards from a dead-ball situation is one that few players possess.”
Gayle said: “I was really pleased with my goal and to get this award. It's been a good start to the season for me.
"There have been some great number nines at Newcastle in the past and this is a big opportunity for me, I'm really enjoying it.
"We didn't get off to the best start but we're doing well now and we're growing in confidence. We need to keep concentrating on winning games.
"The most important thing for me is to help win for the team."
Jay Spearing - (Bolton Wanderers) v Sheffield United
Suggested by @DavidJ_Roberts
When the ball was headed out following a long throw-in, Jay Spearing was there to meet it with a fantastically timed right-footed volley from 20 yards into the bottom-right corner of the Sheffield United goal.
The game finished 1-0, with Spearing’s goal the decider and Bolton currently sit top of the Sky Bet League One table with 15 points from seven games.
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “It’s fair to say that Jay has never been a prolific goalscorer but this was a goal to remember.
“It brought back memories of a Paul Scholes goal against Aston Villa all those years ago.
“When the ball comes out of the sky from a defensive header, Jay doesn’t lash at it but stays calm and waits for the ball to drop, trusting his technique, before striking it into the far post.
“He knew it was in as soon as it left his foot.”
Spearing said: “I didn’t expect to win the award to be honest – it’s not very often that I’ll see a shot of mine hit the back of the net, especially like the one against Sheffield United, but I was just over the moon when it did and it’s up there with the best I’ve scored in my career so far.
“You never go looking for awards, but they’re always nice and I’m really happy to pick up this one and I’d like to thank everybody for voting for me.
“I’ll of course take tap-ins any day to keep that tally going, but any chance that I get to shoot, I’ll have a go and fingers crossed they’ll go in!”
Graham Carey - (Plymouth Argyle) v Mansfield Town
Suggested by @LouisJSanderson
Carey received the ball from Jimmy Spencer on the right touchline with a lot of work to do, but Mansfield left-back Mal Benning backed off and allowed Carey to run at him, cut inside and feign to shoot, before he dragged it past Benning and looped a chipped finish over goalkeeper Brian Jensen.
Carey’s second of the game sealed a comfortable 2-0 win for Plymouth.
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “Carey has already scored a quarter of the goals that he managed last term and this was the pick of two great goals against Mansfield.
“When you have a player in your team capable of the skill that Carey showed in beating his man and coolly finishing with a chip over the keeper, you’ve got to be delighted as a teammate, manager or fan.
Carey said: “It’s always pleasing to be recognised and appreciated by supporters.
“I enjoy scoring but I enjoy winning more and it doesn’t matter who scores the goals as long as the team is successful.”
Click here to watch all of the goals
The winners of the Sky Bet EFL Goals of the Month were chosen after a fan poll on skysports.com.
The shortlist for the poll was decided by a judging panel following suggestions from supporters via Twitter.
The judging panel comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; Sky Bet Sponsorship Manager David Tweed and EFL Commercial Marketing Manager James Walker.
To suggest a goal to be considered for future Sky Bet Goal of the Month awards, fans can tweet details of their nominated goal to @SkyBet using #SkyBetGotM.