The Premier League has a history of teams making quick starts in games and taking early leads. A quick goal can instantly change the complexion of any game, with pre-game tactics going out of the window early doors.
However, what are the earliest goals scored in the history of the Premier League? We will reveal the top ten earliest goals in the current era later in this article.
One interesting fact about our list is that the away team has scored eight of the top ten quickest goals in the Premier League. The list also features some surprising names and some less so surprising names.
So here we go, the Premier League’s top ten quickest goals;
Shane Long scored in 7.69 seconds in season 2019/2020 in Watford v Southampton
The former Republic of Ireland international holds the honour of the quickest goal in the history of the Premier League, having scored in 7.69 seconds for Southampton at Watford on April 23rd, 2019.
Long wasn’t the most prolific scorer, as he scored just 56 goals in 344 Premier League appearances. However, it looks like he will hold his very own piece of history for a good time to come, as it will be hard for anybody to beat the forward’s record.
Philip Billing scored in 09.11 seconds in season 2022/23 in Arsenal v Bournemouth
The Denmark international popped up to give Bournemouth the lead at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium after just 09.11 seconds in season 2022/23. Unfortunately for the Cherries, the Gunners came back from two goals down to record a stoppage-time 3-2 victory.
Ledley King scored in 09.82 seconds in season 2000/01 in Bradford City v Tottenham
The Tottenham centre-back’s goal at Bradford City in season 2000/01 was the quickest goal for 17 years before Long struck his effort. The goal was just one of ten that the former Spurs captain scored for his beloved club in an injury-hit career spanning 268 Premier League appearances.
Alan Shearer scored in 10.52 seconds in season 2002/03 in Newcastle v Man City
The prolific former England captain’s quickest Premier League goal came in season 2002/03 when he found the net for Newcastle after just 10.52 seconds in a home game against Man City. Unlike many of the players on our list, Shearer was prolific in the Premier League, scoring a record 260 goals in the current era of the English top flight.
Christian Eriksen scored in 10.54 seconds in season 2017/18 in Tottenham v Man Utd
The Danish playmaker earned his place on the list by scoring after just 10.54 seconds in a home match against Manchester United. Ironically, Eriksen joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2022.
Mark Viduka scored in 11.90 seconds in season 2000/01 in Charlton v Leeds
The Australian star scored for Leeds at Charlton after just 11.90 seconds. He also scored Premier League goals for Middlesbrough and Newcastle while amassing 92 goals in 240 appearances for his three English top-flight clubs.
Dwight Yorke scored in 11.90 seconds in season 1995/96 in Coventry v Aston Villa
The charismatic forward earned his spot on our top ten list with a goal for Aston Villa at Midlands rivals Coventry City in season 1995/96. His goal was the quickest Premier League goal for five years before Ledley King’s strike.
Chris Sutton scored in 12.94 seconds in season 1994/95 in Everton v Blackburn
The former Norwich forward struck after just 12.94 seconds for Blackburn at Everton’s Goodison Park. The goal was one of 15 top-flight goals that season, as Sutton’s partnership with Alan Shearer, dubbed ‘the SAS,’ helped Rovers to their only Premier League title.
Kevin Nolan scored in 13.48 seconds in season 2003/04 in Blackburn v Bolton
The Wanderers captain scored his goal after just 13.48 seconds at local rivals Blackburn Rovers, which would have made the strike even sweeter for the midfielder and everybody connected with the Trotters.
James Beattie scored in 13.52 seconds in season 2004/05 in Chelsea v Southampton
The forward shocked Stamford Bridge when featuring for Southampton, as he opened the scoring against Chelsea after just 13.52 seconds.
The goal was part of a 92-goal Premier League haul in the Premier League for Beattie, as the former England international also scored in the top flight for Everton and Stoke City, having started his career with Blackburn before his successful switch to the Saints.