You know that ‘wagon-wheel effect’ in Western movies when it looks as if the wheels are going backwards? Explained here:

Imagine that the true rotation of a four-spoke wheel is clockwise. The first instance of visibility of the wheel may occur when one spoke is at 12 o’clock. If by the time the next instance of visibility occurs, the spoke previously at 9-o’clock has moved into the 12-o’clock position, then a viewer will perceive the wheel to be stationary.

If at the second instance of visibility, the next spoke has moved to the 11:30 position, then a viewer will perceive the wheel to be rotating backwards. If at the second instance of visibility, the next spoke has moved to the 12:30 position, then a viewer will perceive the wheel to be rotating forwards, however more slowly than the wheel is actually rotating.

The effect relies on a motion perception property called beta movement: motion is seen between two objects in different positions in the visual field at different times providing the objects are similar (which is true of spoked wheels — each spoke is essentially identical to the others) and providing the objects are close (which is true of the originally 9-o’clock spoke in the second instant — it is closer to 12 o’clock than the originally 12-o’clock spoke).

Obviously.

Watch this short vid of Tottenham demolishing Inter Milan last night (and as added bonus practise your German). Note especially the legs of G Bale as he races forward to lay on the second and third goals. They move so fast compared to those of the defenders they almost create that wagon-wheel effect.

Then they deliver inch-perfect and precisely weighted crosses, curling away from the goalkeeper and delivered at high speed.

Astonishing.