Fastest Goals In EPL History

From the opening whistle to the back of the net—those split seconds define legends. The fastest goals in EPL history combine instinct, chaos, and often defensive error into unforgettable moments. In this article, IndiGoal will guide you through the elite list of speed scorers, the context behind their strikes, and how those seconds changed games—forever.

Table of Contents

Why early goals captivate us

A goal within mere seconds is a seismic shock. It rips the planned tactics apart, jolts both teams, and forces the underdogs into survival mode instantly. For fans, it’s a cinematic moment: one misstep, one brilliant run, one finish, and the match’s narrative flips in an instant. That’s why the fastest goals in EPL history aren’t just stats—they’re stories.

Beyond their shock value, these goals often reveal recurring themes: ultra-high press, sloppy passing, or audacious individual audacity. Whether striker or midfielder, these scorers capitalized on a moment frozen in time.

The record: 7.69 seconds by Shane Long

At the top of the speed charts sits Southampton’s Shane Long, who netted after just 7.69 seconds against Watford on 23 April 2019. He chased down a clearance, intercepted, and dinked it over the keeper—all before many fans had even settled in their seats. That strike broke a long-standing record and remains the fastest goal in Premier League history.

Long’s feat is also officially recognized in record books: that 7.69-second strike is the benchmark for the fastest goal scored in an English Premier League match.

Top 10 fastest goals in Premier League history

Let’s dive into the full spectrum: the top 10 lightning-fast goals, where every entry is a blend of daring, opportunity, and sometimes raw luck.

Rank	Time (sec)	Player	Match / Season	Notes
1	7.69	Shane Long	Watford vs Southampton, 2018–19	The all-time EPL record
2	9.11	Philip Billing	Arsenal vs Bournemouth, 2022–23	Turned heads with that blistering strike
3	9.82	Ledley King	Bradford City vs Tottenham, 2000–01	Held record almost two decades
4	10.18	Abdoulaye Doucouré	Everton vs Leicester, 2024–25	Fastest ever at Goodison Park
5	10.52	Alan Shearer	Newcastle vs Manchester City, 2002–03	Newcastle legend showing his instincts
6	10.54	Christian Eriksen	Spurs vs Manchester United, 2017–18	Midfield magic in seconds
7	11.90	Mark Viduka	Charlton vs Leeds, 2000–01	Another Australian punch
8	12.16	Dwight Yorke	Coventry vs Aston Villa, 1995–96	A classic 90s moment
9	12.94	Chris Sutton	Everton vs Blackburn, 1994–95	A neat finish early on
10	13.48	Kevin Nolan	Blackburn vs Bolton, 2004	Quick strike in a derby match

This list is compiled.

Spotlight on a few unforgettable strikes

Let’s zoom in on three of these goals:

Shane Long’s 7.69-second wonder

It wasn’t just the time—it was the audacity. Long pounced on a loose clearance, outpaced defenders, and lobbed the keeper. That goal dethroned Ledley King’s long-held mark and remains the gold standard.

Doucouré’s Goodison strike (10.18 s)

In February 2025, Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucouré scored just 10.18 seconds into their match against Leicester. It wasn’t just fast—it became the fastest goal by a home side, the quickest ever at Goodison Park, and the fourth-fastest in EPL history.

Philip Billing’s 9.11 s blast

Facing Arsenal, Bournemouth’s Billing caught the hosts cold. Nine seconds in, he rifled in a shot that left goalkeepers and defenders scrambling. That goal cemented his place among the great speed scorers.

What makes such goals possible?

These moments are rarely pure luck—there’s often a pattern:

Pressing strategies: Some teams start ultra aggressive; they force defenders into mistakes almost instantly.
Poor build-up or clearance: Misplaced passes, weak touches or stray clearances give opportunistic attackers the opening.
Instant reaction: To score within seconds, the player must act with zero hesitation—chasing loose balls, reading trajectories, striking cameras-fast.
High risk, high reward: Executing early press or counter. But when it works—you get history.

Fastest goals by role & club context

These lightning strikes don’t always come. Midfielders (Eriksen, Doucouré) and even attacking defenders—if given the chance—can pounce. Also, some clubs appear more on this list due to playing style or high tempo: Tottenham, Everton, Southampton, Newcastle—all have entries in the top 10.

Clubs that emphasize pressing and direct transitions are fertile grounds for early goals. For example, Spurs’ attacking setup or Southampton’s willingness to counter quickly gave Long the space to pounce.

Trends and era comparisons

The 1990s and early 2000s already had some entries (Yorke, Sutton, King, Viduka). But the 2010s and beyond see a jump in these feats, likely driven by tactical evolution: pressing, timing devices more precise—so what was recorded in the past might have had slight delays. Yet, modern entries like Long, Billing, and Doucouré feel more “deserved”—calculated, rehearsed, and ruthless.

Keeping the record: Is Long safe?

For now, yes. 7.69 seconds feels untouchable. But football always holds surprises. A perfectly engineered kickoff press, a goalkeeper’s miscontrol, or a moment of madness—any of those could topple the record.

As defenses evolve and teams study those moments, it becomes harder to break—but we know football loves the unexpected.

Conclusion

The fastest goals in EPL history are more than data—they’re bursts of brilliance, stories told in seconds, forever etched into the memories of fans. From Shane Long’s record 7.69-second strike to Doucouré’s Goodison masterpiece, these goals remind us that football contests can be decided before the game even “starts.”

If you love diving into spectacular moments, stick around with IndiGoal. Next time you want match breakdowns, player stats, or transfer analysis—let that split-second magic lead you here.