5 fastest goals in Premier League’s history
The Premier League is one of its kind. No other football league comes near it in terms of drama, emotions and crazy fans. The players always try to put everything on the line, which ensures for a thrilling encounter and some events that happen here, just can’t be planned.
With so many injury-time winners streaming across everyone’s mind, why don’t we reverse it and cover the goals that rocked oppositions early in the game? For sure there are a ton of late goals in Premier League, but there’s no shortage of early ones either and we’re here to discuss the best of them.
Before Bolt could finish his 100-metre or Thanos could snap his fingers, a goal was scored. Take a moment to settle down! But the fastest goal in Premier League is that quick. And to commemorate it here’s a list of the 5 fastest goals ever scored in Premier League’s crazy history.
#5 Mark Viduka for Leeds United vs. Charlton Athletic: 11.90 seconds — March 2001
Viduka is widely recognised for the 4 goals he scored against Liverpool, which helped Leeds edge 4–3 in a thrilling game of football. But the 6'2'’ Australian is also remembered for the lightning-fast goal he scored against Charlton.
The match had just begun and Smith’s brilliant header turns Ian Harte’s long ball into an amazing assist that will eventually write its name in the history books as Viduka scores with absolute precision only after a mere game of 12 seconds.
Viduka was on fire throughout that 2000/01 season as he scored 22 goals for Leeds in all competition helping them finish 4th in the Premier League and reaching the semifinals of Champions League.
#4 Christian Eriksen for Tottenham vs. Manchester United: 10.54 seconds — February 2018
Tottenham is known for their fast counter attacks. But this one, in particular, was lightning quick as even the commentators were caught off guard. De Gea didn’t even move a muscle, and fans couldn’t even blink.
Dele Alli’s miscued shot just set up the ball perfectly for an incoming Eriksen who fired home with his left foot. The goal set the mood for the game as Spurs dominated and won 2–0. Even Mourinho didn’t have time to run towards the linesmen.
And whatever he tries (like switching sides), his luck runs out in this fixture. Maybe in the future, someone like Eriksen (who’s now at Inter) will once again repeat this and win the game for Jose.
#3 Alan Shearer for Newcastle United vs. Manchester City: 10.52 seconds — January 2003
How could this happen that we’re talking about scoring in the Premier League and Alan Shearer’s name doesn’t come across! He’s the Premier League’s all-time top scorer and the legend that he is, it’s almost predictable.
A slip from Carlo Nash and Shearer was onto him in a flash, closing him down, and the attempted clearance of City’s goalkeeper presented Shearer with an empty net with the ball at his feet. He finished tapping into an empty net for possibly the easiest finish of his career.
#2 Ledley King for Tottenham vs. Bradford City: 9.82 seconds — December 2000
Not even 10 seconds were on the clock and Lesley King tried his luck from distance and before anyone could process his decision, the deflected shot ended up in the back of the net.
The England International made the headlines that day as Bradford’s goalkeeper Matt Clarke wished he could have done something more than being a still spectator. King’s decision to come forward from a defensive position and take a dig at the goal from such a distance, was an unusual one. But who’s going for ordinary when talking about the Premier League.
Who knew that one of his most random decision will end up in history books for 19 years running, only to be topped last year. Well, the king had to be dethroned someday.
#1 Shane Long for Southampton vs. Watford: 7.69 seconds — April 2019
Unlike his name, it didn’t take him long to score the goal that’s even faster than Usain Bolt’s 100 meter World record. It was Shane Long’s day as the manager’s decision to bring him back in the starting lineup proved right.
Determined to prove his worth, Shane went after the ball hard and blocked Cathcart’s attempt for a long ball. With luck serving the brave, the ball ended up in his path but the real joy kicked in after watching his delightful chip over advancing Foster, breaking EPL’s record for the fastest goal in its crazy history.
Even the commentators were left with incredible and stunning as the only choice of words. And we can safely assume and proudly say that this happens only in Premier League.
