EPL: Quickest goal ever helps Southampton to draw with Watford

Southampton striker Shane Long has scored the fastest goal in English Premier League history, netting after just seven seconds against Watford at Vicarage Road.

On Wednesday (NZT), the 32-year-old wrote his name in the record books, when he charged down a Craig Cathcart clearance, before lobbing the ball calmly over goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Long snatched the record from former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King, who scored after 9.9 seconds against Bradford in 2000.

Alan Shearer scored the third-fastest goal in 10.4 seconds for Newcastle against Manchester City in 2003.

Long's goal was his third in the last four games, although the 32-year-old has netted on just one other occasion in all competitions this season.

A look back at the 10 fastest goals in English Premier League history, after Southampton's Long's lightning strike.

1. Shane Long, 7.69s

Watford 1 Southampton 1, 2019

The striker charged down Craig Cathcart's pass and clipped the ball past goalkeeper Ben Foster to break Ledley King's long-standing record.

2. Ledley King, 9.82s

Bradford 3 Tottenham 3, 2000

The Spurs defender was the unlikely previous holder of the competition's fastest goal. A hopeful ball forward was met with a tame header back out and King lashed a deflected shot in from 20 yards at Valley Parade.

3. Alan Shearer, 10.52s

Newcastle 2 Manchester City 0, 2003

Toon hero Shearer was quick off the mark, when he charged down City keeper Carlo Nash's attempted clearance and poked home the loose ball from a tight angle.

4. Christian Eriksen, 10.54s

Tottenham 2 Manchester United 0, 2017

Harry Kane and Dele Alli combined to create the chance for the Dane, who calmly swept home the early opener.

5. Mark Viduka, 11.90s

Charlton 1 Leeds 2, 2001

Leeds' Australian frontman was never renowned for his pace, but he was too quick for Charlton. Alan Smith rose to flick on a long ball from Ian Harte and Viduka did the rest.

6. Dwight Yorke, 12.16s

Coventry 0 Aston Villa 3, 1995

Straight from kick-off Mark Draper sent Ian Taylor clear down the right and he put in a perfect cross, which Villa star Yorke was able to steer home in double-quick time.

7. Chris Sutton, 12.94s

Everton 1 Blackburn 2, 1995

One half of Blackburn's deadly strike partnership with Shearer, Sutton also wasted no time in hitting the back of the net, as Rovers took another stride towards the title.

8. Kevin Nolan, 13.48s

Blackburn 3 Bolton 4, 2004

The midfielder was on hand, after Kevin Davies dispossessed defender Martin Taylor to create the chance. Nolan struck again 77 minutes later to settle a topsy-turvy game.

9. James Beattie, 13.52s

Chelsea 2 Southampton 1, 2004

The Saints striker seized on Joe Cole's poor back-pass to strike early, but later put through his own goal, as Chelsea hit back to win.

10. Asmir Begovic, 13.64s

Stoke 1 Southampton 1, 2013

Yes, a goalkeeper. Artur Boruc was the unlucky man at the other end, as he watched Begovic's punt bounce over him.

It is also the longest-range goal in history, measured at 91.9 metres.

 

PA/Reuters