Scoring a goal is the dream of every footballer, but for goalkeepers, finding the back of the net is an exceptionally rare achievement.
Since the Premier League was founded in 1992, only six goalkeepers have managed to score, with each goal earning a unique place in English football history.
The first goalkeeper to achieve the feat was Peter Schmeichel, who scored for Aston Villa against Everton in October 2001. Although his side lost 3-2, the Danish legend became the first goalkeeper to score in the competition.
Brad Friedel joined the exclusive list in February 2004 when he found the net for Blackburn Rovers against Charlton Athletic. However, his late goal came in a losing effort as Blackburn were beaten 3-2.
Three years later, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson scored one of the most unusual goals in Premier League history. His long free-kick bounced over Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster and into the net, securing his place in the record books.
Everton’s Tim Howard became the fourth goalkeeper to score in January 2012 when a powerful clearance, aided by strong winds, bounced over Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Ádám Bogdán. Howard, however, refused to celebrate out of respect for his opposite number.
Asmir Begović added his name to the exclusive list in November 2013 after scoring for Stoke City just 13 seconds into a match against Southampton. His extraordinary long kick travelled the length of the pitch before bouncing over the opposing goalkeeper, making it one of the longest goals ever scored in professional football.
The most recent goalkeeper to score is Liverpool’s Alisson Becker. In May 2021, the Brazilian headed home a dramatic stoppage-time winner against West Bromwich Albion from a corner kick, becoming the first goalkeeper in Premier League history to score with a header. The goal proved crucial in Liverpool’s successful push to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
In a post shared on its official X account on Friday, the Premier League highlighted the six goalkeepers who have scored in the competition’s history:
Peter Schmeichel (Aston Villa) – vs Everton (2001)
Brad Friedel (Blackburn Rovers) – vs Charlton Athletic (2004)
Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur) – vs Watford (2007)
Tim Howard (Everton) – vs Bolton Wanderers (2012)
Asmir Begović (Stoke City) – vs Southampton (2013)
Alisson Becker (Liverpool) – vs West Bromwich Albion (2021)
