Lots of praise for smashing United goalie (7)
I believe the answer is:
eulogia
'lots of praise' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'smashing united goalie' is the wordplay.
'smashing' is an anagram indicator.
'united' becomes 'U' (abbreviation).
'u'+'goalie'='ugoalie'
'ugoalie' anagrammed gives 'EULOGIA'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for eulogia that I've seen before include "Commendations" , "Panegyrics" , "lots of praise" .)