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Fastest Premier League Goals of All Time: 2023 Edition

fastest premier league goal

What are the fastest Premier League goals of all time? We take a look at these special moments in the history of the EPL. 

Fastest Premier League Goals

Following a lack of concentration, an error, or complete luck, these players took their opportunity to score the fastest Premier League goals of all time. Let’s take a look at the top ten.

10. James Beattie v Chelsea – 13.52 seconds

James Beattie and Southampton stunned Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on August 28, 2004 with a goal after only 13.52 seconds. Chelsea were able to overcome the early setback to win 2-1, with Beattie scoring an own goal 33 minutes after his early goal.

9. Kevin Nolan v Blackburn Rovers – 13.48 seconds

On January 10, 2004, Bolton Wanderers’ Kevin Nolan scored a goal after only 13.48 seconds against Blackburn. Nolan and Matt Le Tissier are one of only two midfielders to score multiple goals in the opening minute of a Premier League game.

8. Chris Sutton v Everton – 12.94 seconds

On April 1, 1995 at Goodison Park, Blackburn striker Chris Sutton scored a goal after only 12.94 seconds. Sutton won an initial header then passed the ball to Alan Shearer. Sutton got the ball back and scored what was the fastest Premier League goal ever at the time.

7. Dwight Yorke vs. Coventry – 12.16 seconds

Before he made a name for himself at Manchester United, Dwight Yorke was a key part of the Aston Villa first team. It isn’t the fastest Premier League goal in history, but Yorke’s effort against Coventry in September 1995 is the fastest headed goal. 

From the kick-off, Villa midfielder Ian Taylor ran onto a clipped ball down the right flank. He had the time and space to cross it into the penalty box, with Yorke finishing it off with a bullet header from close range.

The goal set up a 3-0 win for Villa at Highfield Road and they would finish the season in a strong fourth place, while Coventry barely avoided relegation, avoiding the drop on goal difference.

6. Mark Viduka vs. Charlton – 11.90 seconds

Aussie Mark Viduka holds the record for the fastest Premier League goal of all time by a non-European player. He also remains Leeds United’s highest ever scorer in the league. 

Viduka’s March 17, 2001 strike against Charlton was one Viduka’s 17 league goals during the season.

After a long ball right after the kickoff, Alan Smith out jumped two defenders to play the ball into the path of Viduka, who had the time to take a touch before finishing it off with a sweetly driven low drive in a 2-1 win.

5. Christian Eriksen vs. Man United – 10.54 seconds

The fastest ever strike at the new Wembley stadium is fast enough for the fifth fastest goal in Premier League history. The Spurs spent their entire 2017/18 season at Wembley while they awaited completion of the new 61,000 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

From the kickoff a Jan Vertonghen long ball was flicked on by Harry Kane, and then cleverly flicked by Dele Alli straight into the path of an untracked Eriksen, who smashed the ball straight past a stunned David de Gea. 

Spurs went on to win the January 31, 2018 fixture 2-0, however, United still finished ahead of Tottenham in second place at season’s end with Tottenham in third.

4. Alan Shearer vs. Manchester City – 10.52 seconds

Alan Shearer was one of the best Premier League strikers of all time and one of the most prolific. In front of a packed out St James’ Park, Shearer scored one of the fastest Premier League goals ever on January 18, 2003. 

Shearer was intense straight out of the blocks. After receiving a back-pass from the kickoff, Manchester City keeper Carlo Nash’s first touch was too heavy. Shearer sprinted toward Nash and his panicky clearance was charged down by Shearer.

The ball sat up nicely and Shearer slotted the ball in the back of the net after only 10.52 seconds, wheeling away and celebrating with his famous one arm celebration.

3. Ledley King vs. Bradford City – 9.82 seconds

A career centre-back, Ledley King surprisingly took a kick-off against Bradford City on December 9, 2000. For some reason, King didn’t track back, instead moving forward which is highly unorthodox for a defender. 

King snatched onto a header, hit a 30-yard shot after a couple touches, and his shot took a huge deflection before fizzling past a flat footed Matt Clarke in goal.

The goal was King’s first Premier League goal in just his eighth game in a career that spanned 268 games Despite the 9.82-second goal, the match finished 3-3. Bradford would ultimately get relegated at the end of the season.

2. Phillip Billing vs. Arsenal – 9.11 seconds

On March 4, 2023, relegation battlers Bournemouth scored the second fastest Premier League goal of all time against Arsenal. Coming down the right flank straight off from the kickoff, Dango Ouattara crossed the ball in and Phillip Billing sided footed the ball into the net. 

Despite a 2-nil lead at the hour mark, Bournemouth conceded three goals including a 97th-minute winner from Reiss Nelson. Thankfully for Bournemouth, it didn’t impact their survival and they finished 15th at the end of the season

1. Shane Long vs. Watford – 7.69 seconds

The fastest Premier League goal of all time was scored by Southampton’s Shane Long on April 23, 2019. The Irish striker charged down Watford defender Craig Cathcart’s first pass of the game following the kickoff. 

Upon the rebound, Long took a couple of touches before a clever and composed finish over the top of Ben Foster, stunning the Watford home crowd after only 7.69 seconds.

Long’s chip was quick enough to knock off Ledley King’s 18-year old record to become the quickest goal in EPL history. Despite his effort, Watford stunned Southampton with a last minute equaliser to snatch a one-all draw.

Matt Ieriko

Matt Ieriko is a freelance writer who’s evolved his lifelong passion for sport into the creation of WolfgangSport.com in 2020 – an American sports blog covering the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. As an Australian, he’s always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America.

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