Premier League matches can change in an instant. While some teams spend the opening minutes carefully working their way into a game, others have found themselves celebrating before many supporters have even settled into their seats.
Over the years, a select group of players have scored within seconds of kick-off, producing some of the quickest goals English football has ever seen. Strikers, midfielders and even defenders feature among the record holders, but the fastest Premier League goal of them all belongs to an Irishman.
Former Republic of Ireland international Shane Long sits at the top of the standings thanks to his remarkable goal for Southampton against Watford in 2019.
Here, NetBet Sport looks back at the fastest goals in Premier League history and the players responsible for them.
What Is the Fastest Goal in Premier League History?
Shane Long holds the record for the fastest goal ever scored in the Premier League, finding the net for Southampton against Watford after only 7.69 seconds on 23 April 2019.
Rather than coming from an elaborate Southampton move, the goal was created by Long’s determination to put the Watford defence under pressure immediately.
Watford defender Craig Cathcart attempted to clear the ball, but Long charged down his kick. The ball fell kindly for the Southampton striker, who raced towards goal before calmly lifting his finish over goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Long’s goal gave Southampton an almost immediate advantage, although Watford eventually equalised and the match finished 1-1.
In the process, Long broke a record that had stood for almost 19 years and secured a unique place in Premier League history.
Top 10 Fastest Goals in Premier League History
10. Kevin Nolan – 13.48 seconds
Kevin Nolan needed just 13.48 seconds to score for Bolton Wanderers against Blackburn Rovers during the 2003/04 campaign.
Nolan became known for his ability to contribute goals from midfield throughout his Premier League career, but few arrived quite as quickly as this one. His strike remains among the ten fastest recorded since the competition began in 1992.
9. Chris Sutton – 12.94 seconds
Chris Sutton struck after only 12.94 seconds when Blackburn Rovers faced Everton during the 1994/95 season.
It came during an unforgettable campaign for Blackburn, who would ultimately finish ahead of Manchester United and become Premier League champions.
Sutton formed a formidable attacking partnership with Alan Shearer that season, and his rapid goal against Everton was another example of Blackburn’s considerable attacking threat.
8. Dwight Yorke – 12.16 seconds
Before becoming an integral part of Manchester United’s treble-winning side, Dwight Yorke established himself as a dangerous Premier League forward with Aston Villa.
Yorke took just 12.16 seconds to score when Villa travelled to Coventry City during the 1995/96 campaign.
He would go on to become one of the most prolific and recognisable forwards of the Premier League era.
7. Mark Viduka – 11.90 seconds
Mark Viduka was one of the leading figures in an exciting Leeds United team at the beginning of the 2000s.
The Australian striker scored after just 11.90 seconds against Charlton Athletic in the 2000/01 season.
Viduka combined physical strength with excellent finishing ability, scoring plenty of memorable Premier League goals during spells with Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.
6. Christian Eriksen – 10.54 seconds
Tottenham Hotspur could hardly have wished for a better start against Manchester United at Wembley in January 2018.
Christian Eriksen opened the scoring after only 10.54 seconds, stunning United before the match had properly settled into a rhythm.
Spurs went on to win 2-0, with Eriksen’s lightning-fast opener setting the tone for an impressive performance.
5. Alan Shearer – 10.52 seconds
It seems fitting that Alan Shearer features prominently in another Premier League goalscoring record.
The competition’s all-time leading scorer required only 10.52 seconds to find the net for Newcastle United against Manchester City during the 2002/03 season.
Shearer’s record of 260 Premier League goals demonstrates his extraordinary consistency, but this particular finish stands apart because of just how quickly it arrived.
4. Abdoulaye Doucouré – 10.18 seconds
Abdoulaye Doucouré became one of the newest additions to the list when Everton faced Leicester City during the 2024/25 season.
The midfielder scored after only 10.18 seconds, placing him within touching distance of joining the exclusive group of players to have scored inside ten seconds.
It was an explosive start from Everton and one that placed Doucouré above several legendary Premier League goalscorers in the all-time ranking.
3. Ledley King – 9.82 seconds
For nearly two decades, Ledley King held the record for the Premier League’s fastest goal.
The Tottenham defender scored after 9.82 seconds against Bradford City during the 2000/01 season, launching an effort from distance that found the bottom corner.
King’s record survived countless Premier League matches and thousands of goals before Shane Long finally broke it in 2019.
Even after losing top spot, King’s effort remains the third-fastest goal in the competition’s history.
2. Philip Billing – 9.11 seconds
Bournemouth produced one of the most effective kick-off routines in Premier League history when they visited Arsenal in March 2023.
The visitors immediately attacked down the right before Dango Ouattara delivered the ball across the penalty area. Philip Billing arrived to finish the move after only 9.11 seconds.
It stunned the Emirates Stadium and briefly looked capable of inspiring a huge upset. Arsenal eventually recovered to win the match 3-2, but Billing’s goal remains the second quickest ever scored in the Premier League.
1. Shane Long – 7.69 seconds
At number one is Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long.
Long’s 7.69-second effort for Southampton against Watford remains in a class of its own. He is comfortably clear of Billing’s second-place time of 9.11 seconds and remains the only player in Premier League history to score inside eight seconds.
For Irish football supporters, it is a particularly notable record. Long represented the Republic of Ireland more than 80 times and played at both UEFA Euro 2012 and Euro 2016 during a lengthy international career.
Why Are Goals in the Opening Seconds So Rare?
Scoring inside the opening 15 seconds sounds simple when a team starts with possession, but it is extraordinarily difficult.
Most sides initially look to establish control, move their players into position and avoid making an early mistake. Even teams attempting an aggressive kick-off routine must move the ball from the halfway line towards goal while overcoming an organised defence.
That is why many of the fastest Premier League goals involve something unusual. A defensive error, immediate high press, long-range strike or rehearsed attacking move can create an opportunity before opponents have settled.
Long’s record is a perfect example. Southampton did not carve Watford open with a lengthy passing sequence. Instead, Long anticipated a clearance, pressured Cathcart and capitalised instantly.
That combination of awareness, speed and composure created Premier League history.
Shane Long’s Premier League Record
Shane Long enjoyed a lengthy career in English football, representing Reading, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City and Southampton in the Premier League.
Known for his pace, work rate and willingness to press defenders, the manner of his record-breaking goal suited his playing style perfectly.
Long also passed the landmark of 50 Premier League goals during his career, joining a distinguished group of Republic of Ireland players to have reached that figure.
Yet even among his many goals for club and country, the strike at Watford remains particularly memorable.
More than simply scoring early in a match, Long achieved something no Premier League footballer has yet managed to better: finding the net inside eight seconds.
More Premier League Football at NetBet Sport
The Premier League has produced countless extraordinary records since its creation, but the fastest goal is one of the most difficult to break. A player has little margin for error when attempting to beat a time of just 7.69 seconds.
Whether another forward eventually surpasses Shane Long remains to be seen, but his place in Premier League history is secure until someone can produce an even more explosive start.
Follow NetBet Sport for more features covering Premier League players, teams, records and unforgettable moments from English football.
Check out our other football blogs for more Premier League records, player rankings, historic moments and football features.
When you choose NetBet Sport, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality sports and markets. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information. When the fun stops, stop.
