5 best goals scored by goalkeepers in the Premier League
In an incredibly dramatic finish, Liverpool overcame West Brom in the Premier League today thanks to an unlikely injury-time goal from keeper Alisson Becker.
Alisson Becker’s goal made him one of only a handful of goalkeepers to score in the Premier League’s near-three decade history, and has given Liverpool hope of a top-four spot.
So with this in mind, here is a look at:
5 best goals scored by goalkeepers in the Premier League
#1 Peter Schmeichel – Everton vs. Aston Villa – Premier League 2001-02
Generally regarded as the Premier League’s greatest goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel’s header for Manchester United against Rotor Volgograd in the UEFA Cup is well-remembered.
However, despite his best efforts, he never scored for the Red Devils in the Premier League.
In fact, his lone Premier League goal came in the twilight of his career for Aston Villa in their 2001 clash with Everton.
Villa were trailing 3-1 to the Toffees when they were awarded a last-minute corner, making Schmeichel’s decision to head into the box a little baffling. After all, he was only ever likely to score a consolation if he did find the net.
In the end though, his goal proved to be a highly memorable consolation. The corner was flicked into the path of the Dane, who expertly volleyed it home with his right foot.
Incredibly, the goal was the ninth of Schmeichel’s storied career, even if it was his only one in the Premier League.
#2 Paul Robinson – Tottenham Hotspur vs. Watford – Premier League 2006-07
It’d probably be fair to class Paul Robinson’s lone Premier League goal as one of the biggest flukes in the competition’s history.
England’s first-choice keeper at the time, Robinson did possess the ability to cover huge distances with his goal kicks. But even he wouldn’t have expected to score in what turned out to be a routine 3-1 win for Tottenham over Watford.
Robinson’s assist didn’t come from a teammate, but instead, it came from the wind.
Tottenham were awarded a free-kick just outside their penalty area and the England international punted it up the pitch.
But incredibly, caught by the wind, it sailed into the Watford penalty box, took an awkward bounce, and flew over Ben Foster and into the Hornets’ net.
The goal remains one of the most bizarre in Premier League history – but it was actually Robinson’s second career goal, as he’d previously scored a header for Leeds in an EFL Cup tie with Swindon in the 2003-04 campaign.
#3 Alisson Becker – West Brom vs. Liverpool – Premier League 2020-21
In the years to come, there’s every chance that Liverpool fans may consider Alisson Becker’s last-gasp winner against West Brom as one of their most important Premier League goals.
Had the Reds drawn 1-1 with the relegated Baggies, they’d have been left three points adrift of the top four, with their hopes of Champions League qualification fading fast.
In that sense, it was hardly a surprise to see the Brazilian keeper venture up the pitch for a 95th minute corner.
The surprise, of course, came when Alisson leapt into the air and caught the ball with a towering header that flew past Sam Johnstone and into the Baggies’ net.
It was the kind of header that any striker would’ve been proud of scoring – and it left commentator and former Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher giggling with sheer joy.
Nicknamed the "Messi of goalkeepers," Alisson probably won’t score another Premier League goal in his Liverpool career. But if the Reds manage to gain a top four spot in the Premier League this season, it’s unlikely that this one will ever be forgotten.
#4 Asmir Begovic – Stoke City vs. Southampton – Premier League 2013-14
Like Paul Robinson’s lone Premier League goal, Bosnian keeper Asmir Begovic’s lone strike should probably be remembered as a complete fluke.
Playing for Stoke City in a clash with Southampton early in the 2013-14 campaign, the ball found its way to Begovic via a back pass in the game’s opening seconds.
And playing up to Stoke’s reputation as a long-ball side, Begovic did the obvious – and punted the ball up the pitch as hard as he could.
But even Tony Pulis would’ve been stunned by what happened next.
The ball was caught by the wind, and then took a wicked bounce just outside the Saints’ penalty area. That was enough to wrong-foot Southampton keeper Artur Boruc and somehow the ball bounced over him and into the empty net.
It was a simply ludicrous goal made even funnier by Stoke’s reputation; this took the idea of direct football to another level.
#5 Brad Friedel – Charlton Athletic vs. Blackburn Rovers – Premier League 2003-04
When goalkeepers do manage to score – outside of wind-assisted flukes – their goals tend to be dramatic ones that change results, just like Alisson’s recent header.
However, Brad Friedel’s goal for Blackburn against Charlton in the 2003-04 Premier League campaign was made even more bizarre by what happened afterwards.
With Blackburn trailing 2-1 to Charlton, the American keeper headed into the Addicks’ box for a late corner, hoping to salvage a point.
And while he couldn’t meet Brett Emerton’s overhit corner, when the ball pinged back into the box, Friedel caught it with a left-footed shot that skidded into the net.
It seemed like Blackburn had stolen a draw – but incredibly, Friedel’s joy was short-lived.
With added time remaining, Charlton went on the attack for one last time and Claus Jensen’s beautiful right-footed volley flew past Friedel, winning the game for the Addicks.
It was a ludicrous ending to what must be considered one of the most dramatic games in Premier League history.
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