Soccer has at all times been a sport full of unpredictability. One second, it’s a peaceful build-up from the again, and the subsequent, chaos reigns because the ball finds the again of the web.
What about these targets that come so quick, that you just virtually miss them when you blink? Those that set the tone for your complete sport in only a matter of seconds?
The Premier League, a playground for a number of the world’s greatest footballers, has witnessed a number of such lightning-fast targets that not solely catch the opposition off-guard but additionally go away followers in awe.
Till 2018, the precise occasions of those blistering quick targets had been approximated, rounded to the closest second.
Because of Opta and fashionable video know-how, we now have exact measurements right down to the hundredth of a second. This implies we are able to definitively record the ten quickest targets ever scored within the Premier League.
These targets weren’t simply fast; they had been large proof of the strikers’ readiness, sharp instincts, and, in some circumstances, sheer luck.
Right here, we take a look at these record-shattering moments the place gamers left defenders within the mud and goalkeepers stranded within the blink of a watch.
1. Shane Lengthy – 7.69 seconds
Shane Lengthy’s identify will without end be carved in Premier League historical past, not for his goal-scoring exploits over many seasons however for one particular second of brilliance.
In a midweek conflict in opposition to Watford in 2019, Lengthy capitalized on a defensive error to attain what’s now the quickest purpose ever recorded in Premier League historical past—simply 7.69 seconds after kick-off.
The purpose got here as Southampton pressed Watford proper from the whistle.
Watford’s defender Craig Cathcart tried to clear the ball, however Lengthy alert as ever, charged it down. The deflection fell kindly for the Irishman who with a fast look up, calmly lobbed the ball over the onrushing Ben Foster.
It wasn’t only a purpose; it was an announcement. Southampton would go on to safe an important level of their battle in opposition to relegation, however Lengthy’s lightning strike is what followers will do not forget that day for.
2. Phillip Billing – 9.11 seconds
In a sport that left the Emirates devoted shocked, Phillip Billing’s purpose for Bournemouth took simply 9.11 seconds to ripple the again of the web.
Arsenal had been prime of the league and in a title race, however earlier than most followers had even discovered their seats, the Gunners had been behind.
Bournemouth initiated a fast, direct assault straight from the kick-off.
The ball discovered Dango Ouattara on the fitting wing, who delivered a low cross into the field. Billing, ghosting in unmarked tapped the ball into the web, leaving Aaron Ramsdale helpless.
What adopted was one of many Premier League’s most memorable comebacks, with Arsenal ultimately profitable 3-2 because of a dramatic 97th-minute strike from Reiss Nelson.
However Billing’s purpose will at all times be remembered as a bolt from the blue that set the sport ablaze proper from the beginning.
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3. Ledley King – 9.82 seconds
Ledley King’s profession as a central defender is considerably legendary, however his place on this record comes as a shock.
Identified for his composure and defensive talents, few would have anticipated King to attain what was on the time the quickest purpose in Premier League historical past.
In a match in opposition to Bradford Metropolis, King picked up the ball outdoors the field simply seconds after kick-off. With area forward of him, the defender took a speculative shot that deflected off a defender and flew previous the goalkeeper.
Clocking in at 9.82 seconds, it was a second that encapsulated the unpredictability of soccer—when defenders grow to be attackers, and an atypical second turns into a unprecedented one.
4. Alan Shearer – 10.52 seconds
If you consider fast, instinctive goal-scorers, Alan Shearer must be one of many first names that involves thoughts. The Premier League’s all-time prime scorer, he wasn’t one to waste time when given an opportunity.
In 2003, in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, he scored one of many quickest targets in Premier League historical past, taking simply 10.52 seconds to fireplace the ball into the web.
A fast Newcastle assault from the beginning caught Metropolis chilly, and when the ball fell to Shearer’s left foot contained in the field, he smashed it house with no second’s hesitation.
The purpose highlighted Shearer’s deadly ending means and why he stays the highest scorer in Premier League historical past with a whopping 260 targets.
5. Christian Eriksen – 10.54 seconds
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen was identified for his creativity and imaginative and prescient, however in opposition to Manchester United in 2018, he added “velocity demon” to his resume. Simply 10.54 seconds after the referee blew the whistle, Spurs had been 1-0 up at Wembley, because of a lightning-fast Eriksen strike.
The transfer started with a excessive press from Tottenham, and after some chaotic play within the United penalty space, the ball discovered its approach to Eriksen, who made no mistake from shut vary.
It was the quickest purpose ever scored on the new Wembley and set Spurs on their approach to a 2-0 victory over their outdated rivals.
6. Mark Viduka – 11.90 seconds
Leeds United’s Australian striker Mark Viduka was a participant who thrived in large moments. In opposition to Charlton Athletic in 2001, Viduka discovered the web after simply 11.90 seconds, making it the quickest purpose by a non-European participant in Premier League historical past.
Viduka was a powerhouse ahead, and on this event, he confirmed his opportunistic aspect.
A fast Leeds assault put the Charlton defence below stress, and Viduka was there to complete from shut vary. Leeds won’t have discovered the consistency they wanted that season, however Viduka’s early strike stays a vivid spot.
7. Dwight Yorke – 12.16 seconds
Dwight Yorke’s purpose in opposition to Coventry Metropolis wasn’t simply fast—it was the fastest-headed purpose in Premier League historical past, clocking in at 12.16 seconds.
The Trinidad & Tobago striker was identified for his aerial prowess, and this second encapsulated his means to be in the fitting place on the proper time.
Yorke would go on to have an illustrious profession, profitable Premier League titles and the Champions League with Manchester United.
However his early strike in opposition to Coventry is likely one of the standout moments from his time at Aston Villa, showcasing his pure goal-scoring intuition.
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8. Chris Sutton – 12.94 seconds
Chris Sutton was a significant a part of Blackburn Rovers’ title-winning squad in 1995, and his purpose in opposition to Everton that season scored after simply 12.94 seconds, was proof of his quick-thinking and sharp ending.
The ball fell to Sutton after a defensive error from Everton, and he wasted no time in punishing the Toffees.
Sutton would type a lethal partnership with Alan Shearer that season, and their targets would assist Blackburn carry the Premier League trophy. Sutton’s fast strike in opposition to Everton was one of many key moments that 12 months.
9. Kevin Nolan – 13.48 seconds
Kevin Nolan’s means to attain vital targets was by no means unsure, and in opposition to Blackburn in 2004, he showcased his knack for the dramatic. Nolan discovered the web simply 13.48 seconds into the sport, pouncing on a free ball after a Bolton assault.
This wasn’t Nolan’s solely fast purpose, as he would later rating one other first-minute strike for West Ham in 2012.
His management and goal-scoring means made him a key determine within the Premier League for a few years, and his early strike in opposition to Blackburn remains to be remembered fondly by Bolton followers.
10. James Beattie – 13.52 seconds
Rounding off our record is James Beattie, who scored in opposition to Chelsea after simply 13.52 seconds in 2004.
Beattie was a confirmed Premier League striker throughout his time with Southampton, and his fast strike at Stamford Bridge was one among his standout moments.
Although Southampton didn’t win the sport, Beattie’s purpose was an ideal instance of how unpredictability can form a match.
Sadly, he additionally scored an personal purpose later within the match, including a bittersweet twist to his record-breaking day.
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