Since December 1993, the throne of goal-scoring greatness in the Premier League has remained unyielding. Meet the enduring legends who stand tall as the all-time leading goalscorers in the history of this remarkable league.
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Premier League’s Finest Goal Scorers
=10. Mohamed Salah – 150 Goals*
At 31, with swirling speculations about his future over the past couple of years, it appears Salah might not quite challenge Shearer’s all-time record—although in football, surprises are never off the table.
Yet, in December 2023, Salah etched his name into the top 10 with a pivotal goal for Liverpool in a 2-1 triumph over Crystal Palace, marking his 200th goal for the club. The prospect of surpassing Defoe and Fowler before the 2023-24 season concludes isn’t far-fetched either; boasting 11 goals already, hitting 25 by the end of the campaign would elevate him to eighth.
Salah’s scoring prowess is undeniable, with 150 Premier League goals at a remarkable rate of one every 133 minutes—the fourth-best among players with 100 or more goals, trailing only Agüero (108 mins), Henry (122 mins), and Kane (126 mins).
Remarkably, he’s the fifth-fastest player to hit the 150-goal milestone, with 247 games, trailing only Shearer (212), Agüero (217), Kane (218), and Henry (220).
The burning question now lingers: just how high up the top 10 ladder can Salah ascend? The football world awaits the answer.
=10. Michael Owen – 150 Goals
Once hailed as a teen prodigy and the second-youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history, Michael Owen was poised to ascend to the ranks of England’s all-time greats during the pinnacle of his career.
However, the narrative took a twist when injuries wreaked havoc upon his return to the Premier League after a brief stint at Real Madrid in 2004-05. The occasions of reaching double figures for league goals became scarce, occurring only once more when he netted 11 in 29 games for Newcastle in the 2007-08 season.
Undeniably, Owen’s prime years unfolded at Liverpool in the late 1990s and early 2000s, where he consistently scored at least 11 Premier League goals in seven successive campaigns. Despite this, he controversially spent three years at Liverpool’s arch-rivals, Manchester United. It was during this stint that he etched his name in football history with a dramatic winner in a classic 4-3 Manchester derby victory in September 2009.
Reflecting on Owen’s career, one can’t help but wonder how much higher he would have soared on the list of football legends if not for the persistent injuries that plagued his remarkable talent.
9. Jermain Defoe – 162 Goals
Jermain Defoe’s football journey began in the golden era of West Ham’s academy, setting the stage for a prolific career in the Premier League. From the 2000-01 season until 2018-19, he graced the league every year, showcasing his enduring talent.
While his roots were at West Ham, Defoe’s major chapter unfolded at Tottenham, where he landed in February 2004 after a stint with West Ham. Despite facing competition from other high-profile forwards during his four-year tenure, Defoe’s impact was notable. A shift to Portsmouth in early 2008 saw him reunite with former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp, eventually leading to a return to Spurs after a revitalizing stint on the south coast.
Of his impressive tally of 91 Premier League goals, the majority came during his time with Spurs. However, Defoe etched a significant chapter in the later stages of his career at Sunderland, where he found the net 34 times in 87 top-flight games.
Bournemouth marked the final stop in Defoe’s Premier League journey, where he contributed four goals in 28 appearances, concluding a remarkable career that spanned nearly two decades in the English top flight.
8. Robbie Fowler – 163 Goals
In the formative years of the Premier League, Robbie Fowler emerged as one of the competition’s most lethal strikers, showcasing his prowess with an impressive 28 goals in 38 games during the 1995-96 season.
Despite his early success, injuries took a toll on Fowler in the latter part of his initial stint with Liverpool. His standing in the team diminished as Michael Owen and Emile Heskey rose through the ranks under manager Gérard Houllier.
Nevertheless, Fowler bid farewell to Anfield in December 2001, leaving behind a remarkable record of 120 Premier League goals in 236 games. His journey continued with spells at Leeds United and Manchester City.
Fowler returned to Liverpool in the midst of the 2005-06 season, extending his stay for another 18 months. During this period, he added eight more league goals to his tally, culminating with his final goal in the Premier League.
7. Thierry Henry – 175 Goals
Thierry Henry’s return to the Premier League with Arsenal, following a stint with Juventus, was initially marked by uncertainty after an unconvincing season in Italy. Reuniting with his mentor Arsène Wenger, who had given him his breakthrough at Monaco, Henry faced a challenging start.
The French forward encountered a goal drought, failing to find the net in his first seven Premier League games for Arsenal. However, he finally broke the spell against Southampton in the eighth match on September 18, 1999. Another barren run lasting over two months ensued, but by the end of the season, Henry had notched an impressive 17 top-flight goals—trailing only Kevin Phillips (30), Shearer (23), Yorke (20), Cole, and Michael Bridges (both 19).
Any initial skepticism about Wenger’s significant investment (£11 million) in Henry quickly dissipated as the young forward found his rhythm, ultimately evolving into one of the greatest players of his generation and a true Premier League legend.
Starting from the 2001-02 season, Henry showcased his goal-scoring prowess by notching at least 24 goals in five successive Premier League campaigns. His contributions played a pivotal role in guiding the Gunners to two league titles, including the historic 2003-04 season when they went unbeaten—the Invincibles.
Henry’s legacy in the Premier League is further solidified by holding the record for the most Golden Boot wins, claiming the prestigious award four times.
6. Frank Lampard – 177 Goals
Frank Lampard, the Premier League’s most prolific midfielder of all time, etched his name into Chelsea’s history books during a remarkable 13-season tenure at Stamford Bridge, commencing in 2001 after his move from West Ham.
While it took a couple of years for Lampard to truly find his groove, from the 2003-04 season onward, he displayed remarkable consistency by reaching double figures for Premier League goals in 10 successive campaigns. His zenith in this regard came in the 2009-10 season when he notched an impressive 22 goals, second only to Didier Drogba’s record-setting 29—an instrumental contribution to Chelsea’s title triumph under Carlo Ancelotti.
Lampard’s goal-scoring prowess made him only the third Chelsea player, following Drogba and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, to score 20 or more goals in a single Premier League season. Diego Costa, achieving this feat twice, stands as the only other player for the Blues to match that since.
While Lampard did contribute eight Premier League goals during a brief spell with Manchester City in 2014-15, it is his enduring impact at Chelsea that remains most significant.
5. Sergio Agüero – 184 Goals
Sergio Agüero’s impact in the Premier League goes far beyond mere goal statistics, although his 184 goals speak volumes about his prolific scoring ability. While a few may have tallied more goals in the league, Agüero’s claim to fame lies in the iconic nature of his contributions.
Undoubtedly, the most unforgettable moment came in 2012 when Agüero scored the dramatic late winner against QPR, securing Manchester City’s first Premier League title. This historic goal was accompanied by Martin Tyler’s legendary commentary, making it one of the most recognizable moments in Premier League history.
Beyond the unforgettable QPR goal, Agüero’s influence on the league is immense. Widely regarded as one of the best goalscorers the Premier League has ever witnessed (at least pre-Erling Haaland), Agüero’s 184 goals were scored at an astonishing rate of one every 108 minutes. Among players with 70 or more goals, his record comfortably surpasses the likes of Thierry Henry (one every 122 minutes).
Despite a premature retirement in 2021 due to a heart condition after joining Barcelona, Agüero’s legacy at Manchester City and in the Premier League remains indelible.
4. Andrew Cole – 187 Goals
Andy Cole, a former Manchester United striker, played a pivotal role in the club’s historic 1999 treble-winning campaign, standing out among a quartet of reliable goalscorers.
During his time with Manchester United, Cole found the net 93 times in the Premier League, representing just shy of half of his overall goal tally. His scoring prowess wasn’t confined to one club, as he also notched goals for Newcastle, Blackburn, Fulham, Manchester City, and Portsmouth in the competition.
Remarkably, Cole shares a unique record in Premier League history with only Craig Bellamy surpassing him. Bellamy scored for seven different clubs, while Cole accomplished the feat with six.
However, Cole’s enduring legacy is most closely associated with Sir Alex Ferguson’s brilliant United sides of the mid-to-late 90s. His on-pitch partnership with Dwight Yorke remains a cherished memory for many football fans, overshadowing his connection with Teddy Sheringham in the eyes of those who fondly remember that era.
3. Wayne Rooney – 208 Goals
Wayne Rooney’s standing as the second-highest scorer in Premier League history for a considerable time speaks volumes about his enduring career, characterized by remarkable longevity.
Despite only achieving 20 or more Premier League goals in a season twice, Rooney’s consistent presence among the top scorers reflects his sustained impact. However, there’s an argument to be made that his decline arrived earlier than expected. Departing Manchester United in 2017 at the age of 31, Rooney’s final two seasons saw a dip in goal production, influenced by his transition to a midfielder—a shift perhaps necessitated by a perceived decrease in reliability and explosiveness as a forward.
Yet, in his prime, Rooney stood as one of the best all-round footballers globally, showcasing versatility and a remarkable ability to contribute in various facets of the game. His goal-scoring repertoire ranged from screamers to tap-ins, leaving an indelible mark on English football, particularly with Everton and Manchester United.
Rooney’s legacy at Manchester United is unparalleled, holding the title of all-time leading scorer (all competitions) with an impressive 253 goals, including 74 more Premier League goals for United than any other player.
Looking ahead, it appears only a matter of time before Rooney makes a return to the Premier League, not as a player, but potentially as a manager, adding a new chapter to his already storied football career.
2. Harry Kane – 213 Goals*
Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich in the summer has prompted discussions about his chances of breaking Alan Shearer’s Premier League goals record. While opinions may vary, Kane’s decision to seek success with Bayern is understandable, considering his remarkable talent and the desire for team achievements.
The debate around whether breaking the Premier League goals record would have enhanced Kane’s legacy highlights the significance placed on individual accomplishments versus team success. Kane, despite his undeniable talent, has faced a lack of team achievements at Tottenham, which could be a factor in his decision to pursue success with Bayern.
However, it’s worth considering that Kane, being only 47 goals behind Shearer, could potentially return to England after a successful stint in Germany. Given Kane’s playing style, which isn’t heavily reliant on raw pace, playing well into his 30s is plausible, similar to Shearer’s longevity.
The provided graphic, showcasing Kane’s trajectory before leaving Spurs, suggests he was on course to surpass Shearer’s record. If Kane were to return to England, potentially with Spurs, he could extend his existing record of the most Premier League goals for a single club (213). Additionally, holding records like the most Premier League goals scored in a calendar year (39) further adds to Kane’s legacy.
1. Alan Shearer – 260 Goals
Alan Shearer’s reign as the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer for 30 years, since December 1993, is a testament to his prolific goal-scoring prowess. His remarkable total of 260 goals, though amassed over a more extended period than August 1992 to December 1993, firmly established him as the front-runner, a position he has maintained unchallenged.
Teddy Sheringham briefly held the top spot in 1993 before Shearer surpassed him. Notably, Shearer had led the inaugural Premier League season until a knee injury interrupted his campaign.
Over the years, several players threatened to challenge Shearer’s record, but it has proven resilient, especially with the recent departure of Harry Kane. The emergence of Erling Haaland, known for his prolific scoring, raises speculation about a potential challenger, yet the transient nature of modern football makes predicting the future of Shearer’s record uncertain.
While Shearer is closely associated with his hometown club Newcastle, where he scored 148 of his Premier League goals, he also had a highly successful stint at Blackburn Rovers, netting 112 goals in just 138 games and winning the league title in 1994-95.
A product of Southampton’s academy, Shearer’s return to Newcastle in 1996 marked the beginning of a legendary chapter, where he spent the remainder of his career at St James’ Park.
*Player still active
