Soccer has at all times been a sport stuffed with unpredictability. One second, it’s a peaceful build-up from the again, and the following, chaos reigns because the ball finds the again of the web.
What about these objectives that come so quick, that you simply virtually miss them should you blink? Those that set the tone for your complete recreation in only a matter of seconds?
The Premier League, a playground for a few of the world’s greatest footballers, has witnessed a number of such lightning-fast objectives that not solely catch the opposition off-guard but in addition depart followers in awe.
Till 2018, the precise occasions of those blistering quick objectives had been approximated, rounded to the closest second.
Due to Opta and trendy video know-how, we now have exact measurements all the way down to the hundredth of a second. This implies we are able to definitively checklist the ten quickest objectives ever scored within the Premier League.
These objectives weren’t simply fast; they had been massive 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 perpetually 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 towards Watford in 2019, Lengthy capitalized on a defensive error to attain what’s now the quickest aim ever recorded in Premier League historical past—simply 7.69 seconds after kick-off.
The aim 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 aim; it was an announcement. Southampton would go on to safe a vital level of their struggle towards relegation, however Lengthy’s lightning strike is what followers will keep in mind that day for.
2. Phillip Billing – 9.11 seconds
In a recreation that left the Emirates devoted shocked, Phillip Billing’s aim for Bournemouth took simply 9.11 seconds to ripple the again of the web.
Arsenal had been high 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 precise 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 aim 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 checklist 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 aim in Premier League historical past.
In a match towards 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 change into attackers, and an unusual 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 high scorer, he wasn’t one to waste time when given an opportunity.
In 2003, towards Manchester Metropolis, he scored one of many quickest objectives in Premier League historical past, taking simply 10.52 seconds to fireside 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 residence and not using a second’s hesitation.
The aim highlighted Shearer’s deadly ending potential and why he stays the highest scorer in Premier League historical past with a whopping 260 objectives.
5. Christian Eriksen – 10.54 seconds
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen was recognized for his creativity and imaginative and prescient, however towards Manchester United in 2018, he added “pace 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 solution to Eriksen, who made no mistake from shut vary.
It was the quickest aim ever scored on the new Wembley and set Spurs on their solution 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 massive moments. Towards Charlton Athletic in 2001, Viduka discovered the web after simply 11.90 seconds, making it the quickest aim by a non-European participant in Premier League historical past.
Viduka was a powerhouse ahead, and on this event, he confirmed his opportunistic facet.
A fast Leeds assault put the Charlton defence beneath stress, and Viduka was there to complete from shut vary. Leeds may not 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 aim towards Coventry Metropolis wasn’t simply fast—it was the fastest-headed aim in Premier League historical past, clocking in at 12.16 seconds.
The Trinidad & Tobago striker was recognized for his aerial prowess, and this second encapsulated his potential to be in the precise 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 towards 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 aim towards 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 kind a lethal partnership with Alan Shearer that season, and their objectives would assist Blackburn raise the Premier League trophy. Sutton’s fast strike towards Everton was one of many key moments that 12 months.
9. Kevin Nolan – 13.48 seconds
Kevin Nolan’s potential to attain essential objectives was by no means doubtful, and towards Blackburn in 2004, he showcased his knack for the dramatic. Nolan discovered the web simply 13.48 seconds into the sport, pouncing on a unfastened ball after a Bolton assault.
This wasn’t Nolan’s solely fast aim, as he would later rating one other first-minute strike for West Ham in 2012.
His management and goal-scoring potential made him a key determine within the Premier League for a few years, and his early strike towards Blackburn continues to be remembered fondly by Bolton followers.
10. James Beattie – 13.52 seconds
Rounding off our checklist is James Beattie, who scored towards 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 considered one of his standout moments.
Although Southampton didn’t win the sport, Beattie’s aim was an ideal instance of how unpredictability can form a match.
Sadly, he additionally scored an personal aim later within the match, including a bittersweet twist to his record-breaking day.
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