Top seven fastest goals in the history of the Premier League

All these goals came within the first 12 seconds of the match.

One of the most watched football leagues in the world, the Premier League is home to some of the best footballers across Europe. With such high-quality players in it, the league also gifts viewers with a flurry of goals. In one of the games against Leicester City, Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré scored the first goal within 12 seconds of kick-off.

However, that was far from being the fastest goal in the Premier League. Here, we look at the top seven fastest goals ever scored in the league’s history and also check where Doucouré’s strike stands.

7. Mark Viduka (11.90 seconds)

On March 17, 2001, Leeds United played an away game against Charlton Athletic at The Valley. Leeds United were a prominent name in English football back then. Later that season, the club even secured a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Ian Harte played a long-range pass from the left flank of Leeds’ defensive third which fell accurately for Alan Smith. Smith showed his class as he skillfully took two defenders on his shoulder. He then headed it down in the path of an unmarked Viduka.

The Australian had space in front of him and a clinical shot to the bottom corner gave no chance to the surging and diving goalkeeper of Charlton Athletic.

Mark Viduka is the only non-European player on this list.

6. Christian Eriksen (10.54 seconds)

After Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur are the club who have scored the most goals inside the first 60 seconds of a Premier League game (11). The Danish midfielder, Christian Eriksen is one of them. His goal came in a home game (Wembley Stadium) against Manchester United on January 31, 2018.

It was a brilliant start to the game with the United defence caught napping throughout the process of this goal. Harry Kane headed forward a long aerial ball from Jan Vertonghen towards a rushing Dele Alli in the United box.

The then 21-year-old displayed some skillful movement as he laid the ball on a platter for Christian Eriksen. In turn, Eriksen made no mistake as he curled the ball past David de Gea who just stood there without committing a dive.

This is the fastest goal scored at the new Wembley Stadium.

5. Alan Shearer (10.52 seconds)

Alan Shearer is the highest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League. This 10.52-second strike is the fastest left-footed goal in the history of the Premier League and also the fastest for a home team.

The goal was scored in a game between Newcastle United and Manchester City on January 18, 2003 at St. James’ Park.

Howlers are common in football. But when you are a goalkeeper, it can cost you a lot. A back pass came from a City defender towards goalkeeper Carlo Nash. Shearer, donning the black and white colours, pressed hard, urging the keeper to clear off his lines. In the process, Nash struck it at Shearer himself.

The man who has scored 260 Premier League goals didn’t find it difficult to place the ball in an empty net.

4. Abdoulaye Doucouré (10.18 seconds)

This is the spot for the new entrant on the list after a good while. Abdoulaye Doucouré was born in France but played as an international for Mali. The player has played for clubs like Stade Rennais, Granada, Watford and now Everton.

Abdoulaye Doucoure's opener is the fourth-fastest goal in Premier League history 😮#EVELEI pic.twitter.com/Q1qcVm3prh

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 1, 2025

3. Ledley King (9.82 seconds)

Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Ledley King is the only centre-back to make it to the list. This was the first-ever Premier League goal scored by King. He then went on to bag 10 goals in 268 Premier League appearances.

The match was played at the Valley Parade on December 9, 2000, between Bradford City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham surged forward from the get-go. A long ball aimed at the forwards was cleared only to fall in front of King, who in turn moved inches forward with the ball and took a long-range attempt on goal. Luckily, the ball on its journey took a deflection from a Bradford player and made its way smoothly into the goal.

This goal created a record which stood for 18 years.

2. Philip Billings (9.11 seconds)

Billings opened the scoring for Bournemouth against Arsenal on March 4th, 2023. Billing scored before Arsenal could even touch the ball. He has recorded the second-fastest goal in the Premier League

1. Shane Long (7.69 seconds)

Shane Long broke King’s 18-year-old record in a game between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on April 23, 2019.

This was the first time since 2016 that Long had scored in two consecutive matches. The first one came against Liverpool and the second one in this game.

The Watford defender, attempting to bulge in an aerial ball forward, struck it directly at a pressing Shane Long. The Irishman moved the ball forward and chipped above a surging goalkeeper to create a new record in the Premier League.

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