Every goalkeeper to score in the Premier League

The Premier League has seen some of the game’s greatest goalscorers grace the top level of English football. But it isn’t just strikers who have got on the scoresheet, as there have been a few goalkeepers who have put themselves into the history books by netting at the other end.

Whether they have gone into the opposition’s penalty area in desperate search of a late goal, blasted one from their own box or simply cleared the ball on a windy day, there have been six occasions where goalkeepers have scored in the Premier League.

Here, we have taken a closer look at those goalkeepers and their moments in the spotlight.

1

Peter Schmeichel

Everton v Aston Villa, 2001

Peter Schmeichel made history in the 2001/02 season

when he became the first goalkeeper to score in the Premier League.

Schmeichel was playing for Aston Villa at the time, and the Midlands side came into the match unbeaten in the league. However, that run was ended in this game, as Villa were on the wrong side of a 3-2 defeat.

Goals from Steve Watson, Tomasz Radzinski and Thomas Gravesen put Everton in a comfortable 3-0 lead. Mustapha Hadji pulled a goal back for Villa with 19 minutes to go, and it wasn’t until the 90th minute when Schmeichel came up for a corner, and when the ball managed to find him in space, he slotted it home to make it 3-2, but it wasn’t enough for Villa to get anything from the game.

At the end of October, Villa found themselves at the top of the Premier League, but a run of 1 win in 11 games saw them fall out of the title race, and in the end, they finished in eighth, making it seven consecutive seasons of finishing in the top 10.

2

Brad Friedel

Charlton v Blackburn, 2004

Three years after Schmeichel, Blackburn Rovers’ Brad Friedel became the second goalkeeper to score in the Premier League.

The Addicks were in control of the game until the final moments as Carlton Cole and Jason Euell had given Charlton a 2-0 lead. However, Andy Cole gave Rovers some hope in the 74th minute, slotting into an empty net.

Then, in the final minutes of the game, Friedel got Blackburn level, as he went up for a corner and slotted the ball home with a left-footed shot from the centre of the penalty area.

Unfortunately for Friedel, this unexpected moment of delirium was short-lived, as Charlton went up the other end and scored in injury time, as Claus Jensen’s 25-yard strike was enough to beat the United States international.

3

Paul Robinson

Tottenham Hotspur v Watford, 2007

In 2007, Paul Robinson got on the scoresheet in a Premier League game. Tottenham secured a 3-1 victory over Watford on the day, with Robinson on hand to help Spurs on their way.

Jermaine Jenas gave Spurs the lead in the 41st minute, and they managed to find a second in the most unlikely method. Tottenham had a free kick five yards outside their own penalty box with Robinson taking it; he hoofed the ball up the pitch, and it managed to not only bypass the Watford defence, but also the head of Ben Foster as the former Leeds ‘keeper notched from 80 yards.

Hossam Ghaly then netted Tottenham’s third of the game before Darius Henderson scored a consolation goal, meaning Robinson couldn’t collect a clean sheet to cap a perfect afternoon’s work.

The 2006/07 season was relatively successful for Spurs, as they finished fifth in the Premier League and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, the semi-finals of the League Cup and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.

4

Tim Howard

Everton v Bolton, 2012

The fourth goalkeeper to make the Premier League scoring charts was Tim Howard, who achieved the rare feat while playing for Everton.

The USA international scored in the Toffees’ 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at Goodison Park in January 2012. Howard gave Everton the lead from his own area as he lofted the ball long, and while it bounced 30 yards from Bolton’s goal, the wind took hold, and it helped it fly over ‘keeper Adam Bogdan.

Unfortunately for Howard, David N’Gog got the Trotters back on level terms before Gary Cahill hit a first-time shot past the American, which secured Bolton a much-needed victory.

5

Asmir Begovic

Stoke v Southampton, 2013

Asmir Begovic fortuitously netted in Stoke City’s 1-1 draw against Southampton in November 2013.

Not only did the Bosnian score, but he managed it 13 seconds into the match. The goalkeeper received the ball and decided to kick it long to get his team up the pitch, and while it cleared the Southampton defence, it also passed goalkeeper Artur Boruc to give the Potters the lead.

Stoke were not able to keep hold of that lead, as Jay Rodriguez levelled the match for the Saints to earn a draw.

The 2013/14 Premier League season was another strong campaign for the Potters, even though Tony Pulis had left and was replaced by Mark Hughes. Stoke finished ninth in the table, reaching 50 points, finishing six points behind Southampton in eighth place.

6

Alisson

West Brom v Liverpool, 2021

The last goalkeeper in the Premier League was Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, whose dramatic header came in 2021 as they secured a 2-1 against West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Hal Robson-Kanu gave the Baggies a lead in the contest before Mohamed Salah brought the visitors back level. Liverpool had a corner in the final moments, which Alisson decided to come up for. Not only did the Brazilian create havoc, but he rose the highest to nod home a winner and keep Liverpool’s faint top-four hopes alive.

Alisson’s winner was the first time that a goalkeeper had scored in a competitive game for Liverpool. The Reds would go on to secure Champions League football as they finished third in the Premier League.