Credit: Squawka / Twitter
Shane Long may have set a new record for the fastest-ever Premier League goal, but how does the Southampton striker’s effort compare to others in England’s top-flight?
A record that had previously stood for 19-years, the Saints striker took full advantage of poor defending from Watford by opening the scoring in rapid fashion at Vicarage Road after 7.68 seconds.
Despite not taking kick-off, Long produced a lung-busting run to apply pressure to Craig Cathcart. The Hornets defender thrashed the ball into the Irishman before Long found the net with a deft chip over Ben Foster.
But how does Long’s strike compare to the previous fastest goals scored in the Premier League?
Ledley King: Bradford 3 Tottenham 3 (10 seconds)
The former Tottenham and England defender held the record for the fastest goal in Premier League history for 19 years prior to Long’s goal. The defender may have been an unlikely holder of the record but King’s deflected effort from 20 yards after a hopeful ball forward gave him the record.
Alan Shearer: Newcastle 2 Manchester City 0 (10 seconds)
Shearer showed similar pace and reaction to Long as he charged down City ‘keeper Carlo Nash back in 2003. The goalkeeper’s failed clearance fell at the feet of the Magpies star-man, and he made no mistake by poking home from a tight angle.
Christian Eriksen: Tottenham 2 Manchester United 0 (11 seconds)
It took just eleven seconds and five touches from kick-off for United to have the ball in their net as Eriksen scored against Jose Mourinho’s side in 2018. Jan Vertonghen’s long ball forward was challenged by Harry Kane and Phil Jones. It skimmed off the United defender and fell to Dele Alli, the misguided shot deflected off Smalling and dribbled into the path of Eriksen who calmly curled beyond David De Gea.
Mark Viduka: Charlton 1 Leeds United 2 (11 seconds)
Viduka may not have been known for his pace and agility when playing for Charlton Athletic. But the Australian striker provided an excellent turn of speed to lap onto a flick-on from Alan Smith and Viduka made no mistake from close-range.
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