It's 13 Years Since Boaz Myhill Gave Away Corner Because He Was So Concerned About Rory Delap's Long Throw

In a classic Premier League moment from 2008, former Wales international Boaz Myhill once decided to kick the ball out for a corner rather than let Rory Delap take one of his iconic long throw-ins.

Standing over the touchline with a towel in hand, Delap, a talented javelin thrower in his youth, would polish the ball with intent as 26,000 fans inside The Britannia held their breath in sheer anticipation.

Then, after spending a brief moment pinpointing his intended target, Stoke City's experienced full-back would launch the ball into the penalty box.

Image credit: PA

It was an unorthodox method of finding the back of the net but it worked. And he knew it.

"If I throw the perfect ball, with the height and quality of the players in our team, I think it is undefendable," Delap once said. "We know what we're doing and it's no surprise. There's no secret to it, everybody knows that we do it but as long as it's working, then great."

The opposition were well aware of the threat but how do you defend a Delap throw-in? I mean, who else can chuck a ball like that in training?

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger even labelled it an "unfair advantage" and said Delap's secret weapon was "like kicking the ball".

Image credit: PA

During the 2008/09 campaign, Delap's missile-like throw-in became a key component in Stoke City's early success. Of their first 13 goals, seven were credited as assists for the Republic of Ireland international.

To his credit, goalkeeper Boaz Myhill clearly did his research before Hull City's trip to Staffordshire.

In their Premier League clash at the Britannia on 28 November 2008, the goalkeeper was so concerned about those throws that he decided to kick the ball out for a corner instead.

You can see that moment below.

Nobody could quite believe what they were seeing. "He thought about getting it away from a throw and then realised hang on, Rory Delap is on the other team!" said commentator Jonathan Pearce on Match of the Day. "So he was happier to concede the corner!"

Hull City went on to secure a hard-fought point against The Potters.

What is your favourite Rory Delap-related memory?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Premier League, Hull City, Stoke City

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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