Geoff Hurst's second against West Germany in 1966 voted in top ten England goals

Geoff Hurst's second of his World Cup-winning treble against West Germany in July 1966 has, quite rightly, found a place in the fans' top ten best England goals.

Late last year we asked fans via our official England Facebook page to choose their favourite Three Lions strikes. The West Ham United forward's effort, that put Alf Ramsey's boys 3-2 up, has been voted in at number eight.

It's arguably one of the most debated goals in football history, but the Russian linesman was happy that the ball crossed the line, and so were the majority of the 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. 

It set England on their way to being crowned World Champions on their home patch.

However, it was a nerve-jangling afternoon for the nation. After going a goal behind when Helmut Haller gave the Germans a 12th-minute lead.

Hurst's first of his historic hat-trick levelled six minutes later, finishing an easy header after Bobby Moore had picked him out unmarked in the box.

Fellow Hammer Martin Peters gave England the advantage with 12 minutes left on the clock, volleying home from close-range.

The Three Lions were just seconds away from victory, and Her Majesty The Queen was no doubt preparing herself for the presentations. But West Germany didn't read the script and restored parity with virtually the last kick from Wolfgang Weber.

So to extra-time, and the goal that the fans selected as their eighth best gave England a vital lead.

Alan Ball broke free down the right and centred for Hurst on the edge of the six yard box. His outstretched leg pulled the ball under control as he turned and smashed past Hans Tilkowski.

His strike cannoned off the underside of the bar, bouncing down - behind the line - before being headed out by Weber to what the visitors thought was safety.

Roger Hunt, a goal-poacher extraordinaire who at that time had netted 15 goals in just 19 England appearances, was nearest to the goal and turned away in celebration instantly.

As Wembley waited nervously for referee Gottfried Dienst to consult his assistant on the line, Tofik Bakhramov (who was from what is now known as Azerbaijan), a nod of his head signalled England had scored.

"It's a goal!" exclaimed commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, as Wembley roared and Hurst was held aloft by Peters. 

Of course we know what happened next, and no doubt we'll be talking about Hurst's third in the coming weeks...

The top ten, so far...

8. Geoff Hurst's second, v West Germany (July 1966)
9. Steven Gerrard, v Germany (September 2001)
10. Danny Welbeck, v Sweden (June 2012)

Next week we'll unveil which goal you voted for as no.7 in England's best.