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What are the fastest Premier League goals of all time

We take a look at some rapid strikes from the top flight

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Last month, Bournemouth’s Philip Billing opened the scoring against Arsenal after just 9 seconds, leaving many reaching for the record books.

But, despite the lightening start to the game, it is not the fastest goal ever scored in the Premier League. We took a look at just how fast the top ten have gone in.

1. Shane Long (Southampton vs Watford) – 07.69 seconds

To score after just seven seconds requires either a monumental error, or an epic strike virtually from kick off. In the case of Southampton striker Shane Long, it was an error from Watford defender Craig Cathcart when the two sides met in 2019.

Receiving the ball from kickoff, his clearance was charged down by Long, who kept his cool to chip over Ben Foster and hand his side a rapid lead.

2. Phillip Billing (Bournemouth vs Arsenal) – 09.11 seconds

A full second and a half off top spot, Billing’s goal came from a clever kickoff routine and an Arsenal error. Beginning the game, then-bottom side Bournemouth caught the Gunners cold, before Billing peeled off the back of William Saliba to tap in a low cross.

They eventually went on to lose the game 3-2, courtesy of a goal just seconds from time. A bad day to arrive late or leave early at the Emirates.

3. Ledley King (Tottenham vs Bradford City) – 09.82 seconds

The Tottenham man, who was playing in midfield for the lilywhites, picked the ball up 30 yards out and unleashed a bobbling, deflected effort that left the Bradford City goalkeeper watching it find the bottom corner.

4. Alan Shearer (Newcastle vs Manchester City) – 10.52 seconds

With 260 goals to his name, at least one of them were going to be fast. Even Shearer didn’t know quite how to celebrate this one though, as he charged down a clearance from Manchester City’s goalkeeper mere seconds into the game.

With the ricochet falling kindly, it was left for Shearer to tap into an empty net, and hand his 2003 Newcastle side an early lead.

5. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham vs Manchester United) – 10.54 seconds

Now a Manchester United player, it was against his current side that Christian Eriksen grabbed this memorable goal. In a 2018 meeting between the two sides, the Dane stole in to collect a loose ball from kick off and slot past David De Gea after just 10.54 seconds.

It helped Spurs to a 2-0 win over the Red Devils, but it was United who had the last laugh, finishing four points and a place above the north London side come the end of the season.

6. Mark Viduka (Charlton vs Leeds United) – 11.90 seconds

Chasing European football, Leeds United needed just under 12 seconds to take the lead against Charlton when the two sides met at the Valley in March 2001.

It came courtesy of club top goalscorer Mark Viduka, who latched onto a flick on by Alan Smith to slot the ball past Sasa Ilic in the Charlton goal on the way to a 2-1 win.

7. Dwight Yorke (Coventry vs Aston Villa) – 12.16 seconds

More well-known for his time at Manchester United, it was with Aston Villa that Dwight Yorke earned his spot on this list.

The striker rose highest to head in an Ian Taylor cross after a long ball had found the winger, helping Villa enjoy an excellent season in which they managed to secure European football at Villa Park.

8. Chris Sutton (Everton vs Blackburn Rovers) – 12.94 seconds

Not to be outdone by strike partner Alan Shearer, Chris Sutton grabbed a rapid goal of his own while the pair were together with Blackburn Rovers.

Winning a long ball, Sutton exchanged passes with Shearer before rifling the ball past Neville Southall in the Everton goal, helping keep the Rovers title charge alive and kicking.

They fended off late pressure from Manchester United to lift the trophy, and the partnership between Shearer and Sutton was largely the reason why.

9. Kevin Nolan (Blackburn Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers) – 13.48 seconds

A player well known for the spectacular, Kevin Nolan took just 13 and a half seconds to find the back of the net in this topsy-turvy 2004 clash.

A misjudgment at the back for Blackburn allowed Bolton to nick in, and the loose ball found Kevin Nolan who promptly slammed the ball home.

They then conceded three times in half an hour, before coming back to snatch all three points by winning 4-3.

10. James Beattie (Chelsea vs Southampton) – 13.52 seconds

Half of Stamford Bridge hadn’t even taken their seats when James Beattie fired home from range against Chelsea in emphatic fashion.

Picking the ball up 30 yards out, Beattie let fly past a despairing Petr Cech to hand his side an unlikely lead , before scoring an own goal to level matters from a corner.

Chelsea came from behind to make it four wins from four in a season in which they went on to win the title, conceding just 15 goals in the process.

Read more:

All-Time France XI in Premier League history

The top 10: Who has the most Premier League appearances of all time?

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Ben Browning

Football writer and analyst. Long-time writer of all things Arsenal and avid watcher of European football. Happy to discuss all things football over on Twitter.

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