Top 10 goal-scoring substitutes in Premier League history

Olivier Giroud has made scoring from the bench a habit in the Premier League
Olivier Giroud has made scoring from the bench a habit in the Premier League

#6 Nwankwo Kanu - 17 goals

111 appearances, 159.1 mins-per-goal

Nwankwo Kanu
Nwankwo Kanu

Though Nwankwo Kanu does not rank in the upper echelons of top-scorers at Arsenal, his contributions to the star-studded team, with the likes of peak Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in its ranks, were quite impressive.

The Nigerian striker's persistence and unpredictability acted as a trump card for Arsene Wenger, who utilized the player's skills to cause chaos in the opposition half in the final quarter of the game. Kanu would establish a reputation as something of a super-sub, regularly netting from the bench, and has 17 goals to his name as a substitute.


#5 Daniel Sturridge - 17 goals

98 appearances, 106.7 mins-per-goal

Daniel Sturridge enjoyed the best spell of his career with Liverpool
Daniel Sturridge enjoyed the best spell of his career with Liverpool

When talking about players whose careers were ruined by injuries, former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is one of the first names that comes to mind. The player had failed to make a name for himself at clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea, but enjoyed the best spell of his career in the 2013-14 season with Liverpool, scoring 21 goals.

His fitness levels kept him out of action for the better part of his career. Even when he was included in the squad, managers didn't risk playing him for the full 90 minutes. He was called from the bench a lot, and scored 17 times as a substitute to ensure that he made the most of his limited playtime.


#4 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - 17 goals

80 appearances, 106.7 mins-per-goal

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 1999 UEFA Champions League Final
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 1999 UEFA Champions League Final

Current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's injury-time goal in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich after coming off the bench helps him rank as one of the best substitutes ever.

He personified the definitive super-sub during his spell with Manchester United and made a habit of scoring in the final stages of the game. In his decade long career at Manchester United, Solksjaer scored 17 goals off the bench at a rate of 106.7 minutes per goal. Interestingly, Solskjaer’s first and final appearances for the club were marked with a him scoring a goal coming off the bench.

Ole Gunnar Solkskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho as manager of Manchester United in December 2018.


Also See: Top 5 Premier League players with most assists in a single season

Quick Links