Football has always been a sport filled with unpredictability. One second, it’s a calm build-up from the back, and the next, chaos reigns as the ball finds the back of the net.
What about those goals that come so fast, that you almost miss them if you blink? The ones that set the tone for the entire game in just a matter of seconds?
The Premier League, a playground for some of the world’s best footballers, has witnessed several such lightning-fast goals that not only catch the opposition off-guard but also leave fans in awe.
Until 2018, the exact times of these blistering fast goals were approximated, rounded to the nearest second.
Thanks to Opta and modern video technology, we now have precise measurements down to the hundredth of a second. This means we can definitively list the 10 fastest goals ever scored in the Premier League.
These goals weren’t just quick; they were big proof of the strikers’ readiness, sharp instincts, and, in some cases, sheer luck.
Here, we look at those record-shattering moments where players left defenders in the dust and goalkeepers stranded in the blink of an eye.
1. Shane Long – 7.69 seconds
Shane Long’s name will forever be carved in Premier League history, not for his goal-scoring exploits over many seasons but for one specific moment of brilliance.
In a midweek clash against Watford in 2019, Long capitalized on a defensive error to score what is now the fastest goal ever recorded in Premier League history—just 7.69 seconds after kick-off.
The goal came as Southampton pressed Watford right from the whistle.
Watford’s defender Craig Cathcart tried to clear the ball, but Long alert as ever, charged it down. The deflection fell kindly for the Irishman who with a quick glance up, calmly lobbed the ball over the onrushing Ben Foster.
It wasn’t just a goal; it was a statement. Southampton would go on to secure a crucial point in their fight against relegation, but Long’s lightning strike is what fans will remember that day for.
2. Phillip Billing – 9.11 seconds
In a game that left the Emirates faithful stunned, Phillip Billing’s goal for Bournemouth took just 9.11 seconds to ripple the back of the net.
Arsenal were top of the league and in a title race, but before most fans had even found their seats, the Gunners were behind.
Bournemouth initiated a quick, direct attack straight from the kick-off.
The ball found Dango Ouattara on the right wing, who delivered a low cross into the box. Billing, ghosting in unmarked tapped the ball into the net, leaving Aaron Ramsdale helpless.
What followed was one of the Premier League’s most memorable comebacks, with Arsenal eventually winning 3-2 thanks to a dramatic 97th-minute strike from Reiss Nelson.
But Billing’s goal will always be remembered as a bolt from the blue that set the game ablaze right from the start.
3. Ledley King – 9.82 seconds
Ledley King’s career as a central defender is somewhat legendary, but his place on this list comes as a surprise.
Known for his composure and defensive abilities, few would have expected King to score what was at the time the fastest goal in Premier League history.
In a match against Bradford City, King picked up the ball outside the box just seconds after kick-off. With space ahead of him, the defender took a speculative shot that deflected off a defender and flew past the goalkeeper.
Clocking in at 9.82 seconds, it was a moment that encapsulated the unpredictability of football—when defenders become attackers, and an ordinary moment turns into an extraordinary one.
4. Alan Shearer – 10.52 seconds
When you think of quick, instinctive goal-scorers, Alan Shearer has to be one of the first names that comes to mind. The Premier League’s all-time top scorer, he wasn’t one to waste time when given a chance.
In 2003, against Manchester City, he scored one of the fastest goals in Premier League history, taking just 10.52 seconds to fire the ball into the net.
A quick Newcastle attack from the start caught City cold, and when the ball fell to Shearer’s left foot inside the box, he smashed it home without a moment’s hesitation.
The goal highlighted Shearer’s lethal finishing ability and why he remains the top scorer in Premier League history with a whopping 260 goals.
5. Christian Eriksen – 10.54 seconds
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen was known for his creativity and vision, but against Manchester United in 2018, he added “speed demon” to his resume. Just 10.54 seconds after the referee blew the whistle, Spurs were 1-0 up at Wembley, thanks to a lightning-fast Eriksen strike.
The move began with a high press from Tottenham, and after some chaotic play in the United penalty area, the ball found its way to Eriksen, who made no mistake from close range.
It was the fastest goal ever scored at the new Wembley and set Spurs on their way to a 2-0 victory over their old rivals.
6. Mark Viduka – 11.90 seconds
Leeds United’s Australian striker Mark Viduka was a player who thrived in big moments. Against Charlton Athletic in 2001, Viduka found the net after just 11.90 seconds, making it the fastest goal by a non-European player in Premier League history.
Viduka was a powerhouse forward, and on this occasion, he showed his opportunistic side.
A quick Leeds attack put the Charlton defence under pressure, and Viduka was there to finish from close range. Leeds might not have found the consistency they needed that season, but Viduka’s early strike remains a bright spot.
7. Dwight Yorke – 12.16 seconds
Dwight Yorke’s goal against Coventry City wasn’t just quick—it was the fastest-headed goal in Premier League history, clocking in at 12.16 seconds.
The Trinidad & Tobago striker was known for his aerial prowess, and this moment encapsulated his ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Yorke would go on to have an illustrious career, winning Premier League titles and the Champions League with Manchester United.
But his early strike against Coventry is one of the standout moments from his time at Aston Villa, showcasing his natural goal-scoring instinct.
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8. Chris Sutton – 12.94 seconds
Chris Sutton was a vital part of Blackburn Rovers’ title-winning squad in 1995, and his goal against Everton that season scored after just 12.94 seconds, was evidence of his quick-thinking and sharp finishing.
The ball fell to Sutton after a defensive error from Everton, and he wasted no time in punishing the Toffees.
Sutton would form a deadly partnership with Alan Shearer that season, and their goals would help Blackburn lift the Premier League trophy. Sutton’s quick strike against Everton was one of the key moments that year.
9. Kevin Nolan – 13.48 seconds
Kevin Nolan’s ability to score important goals was never in doubt, and against Blackburn in 2004, he showcased his knack for the dramatic. Nolan found the net just 13.48 seconds into the game, pouncing on a loose ball after a Bolton attack.
This wasn’t Nolan’s only quick goal, as he would later score another first-minute strike for West Ham in 2012.
His leadership and goal-scoring ability made him a key figure in the Premier League for many years, and his early strike against Blackburn is still remembered fondly by Bolton fans.
10. James Beattie – 13.52 seconds
Rounding off our list is James Beattie, who scored against Chelsea after just 13.52 seconds in 2004.
Beattie was a proven Premier League striker during his time with Southampton, and his quick strike at Stamford Bridge was one of his standout moments.
Though Southampton didn’t win the game, Beattie’s goal was a perfect example of how unpredictability can shape a match.
Unfortunately, he also scored an own goal later in the match, adding a bittersweet twist to his record-breaking day.
