As David Moyes settles into his office this morning and mulls over what went wrong on Sunday, he can at least cling to one simple consolation. His team scored the best goal in the Manchester derby. It might not provide much solace – and Wayne Rooney's perfectly flighted free-kick did not wipe the growl from his face – but a great goal is still a great goal.

The consoling screamer is not a new phenomenon in this fixture. When United sank to a 6-1 hammering against City in the derby in 2011, Darren Fletcher scored the goal of the afternoon. Fletcher didn't score many for United – only 18 goals in 200 league appearances – and he rarely produced anything as majestic as his wonderful curled finish past Joe Hart, but he didn't even muster a smile when the ball flew into the City net. His muted reaction was understandable on the day, but the time has come to reassess these under-appreciated consolation goals.

It might sound counterintuitive, but consolation goals are almost bound to be spectacular. Players have nothing to lose if their team is taking a thumping, so they might as well unleash a shot from 30 yards. And they have the added advantage of aiming at a goalkeeper who has spent the past hour daydreaming on the 18-yard line.

Footballers might not savour their own majestic finishes (although these Vietnamese may be the exception that proves the rule), but here are some cracking consolation goals for your pleasure: