Premier League all-time top goalscorers: From Alan Shearer to Harry Kane

From the early days of the Premier League to its modern stage, certain names have etched themselves into soccer’s collective memory—not just for their skill, but for their uncanny ability to turn chances into history.

Over three decades, the league has seen scorers of every style: relentless finishers, elegant technicians, and instinctive poachers. Each era has produced figures whose numbers still spark debates in pubs and press boxes alike.

Their goals are more than statistics… they’re moments that shaped legends. The story of the Premier League’s all-time scorers is, in many ways, the story of the league itself. All stats are accurate as of August, ahead of the 2025–26 season.

Dion Dublin, 111

Dion Dublin’s career demonstrated remarkable versatility and resilience. Scoring 111 goals across Manchester United, Coventry, Aston Villa, and others, he combined physical strength with technical skill.

Despite injuries interrupting his career, his consistency and goal-scoring instinct allowed him to remain an effective forward, respected for both his professionalism and leadership on the pitch.

Ian Wright, 113

Ian Wright burst onto the scene with an infectious enthusiasm and lethal finishing touch, scoring 113 Premier League goals primarily for Arsenal. A player of instinct and timing, he became a fan favorite for his ability to score crucial goals and his charismatic celebrations. His late start in top-flight soccer makes his achievements even more remarkable, paving the way for future Arsenal legends.

Steven Gerrard, 120

Steven Gerrard was more than a midfielder; he was an engine driving Liverpool’s attack. Scoring 120 goals in his Premier League career, his late runs, long-range strikes, and decisive set-pieces highlighted his dual ability to create and finish. His leadership on the pitch often galvanized teammates, with key goals coming at pivotal moments in the club’s history.

Romelu Lukaku, 121

Romelu Lukaku’s Premier League tenure highlighted the power and dynamism of a modern striker. Across spells with West Brom, Everton, Manchester United, and Chelsea, he amassed 121 goals, blending physical dominance with clinical finishing. His presence commanded defenders, while his intelligent movement and ability to convert chances in tight spaces made him a constant threat at the highest level.

Raheem Sterling, 123

Raheem Sterling’s pace, agility, and evolution as a forward helped him reach 123 goals across Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea. Initially a wide winger known for explosive runs, he adapted into a prolific goal-scoring threat, often making late runs into the box and finishing with precision. His knack for crucial goals in title-deciding moments cemented his place among the league’s top forwards of his generation.

Dwight Yorke, 123

Dwight Yorke is remembered not just for his 123 Premier League goals, but for his intelligence, vision, and synergy with strike partners. His time at Manchester United, alongside Andy Cole, formed one of soccer’s most famous attacking duos, contributing heavily to the 1998-99 treble. His composure, timing, and clever positioning made him a constant threat, capable of scoring decisive goals and orchestrating play from advanced positions.

Nicolas Anelka, 125

Nicolas Anelka’s career was marked by brilliance and mobility across numerous Premier League teams: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton, Chelsea, and West Brom. Scoring 125 goals in England’s top flight, he displayed speed, precision, and an instinctive understanding of space. While at times enigmatic and unpredictable, his talent allowed him to adapt to different tactical systems and strike fear into defences wherever he played.

Robbie Keane, 126

Robbie Keane’s Premier League career spanned several clubs, including Tottenham, Leeds, and Aston Villa, yielding 126 goals. Known for his instinctive movement, sharp finishing, and clever link-up play, the Irish striker combined technical skill with relentless work ethic.

He was equally dangerous in the air and on the ground, often creating opportunities for others while consistently finding the net himself. His professional longevity and adaptability made him a model of consistency.

Heung-min Son, 127

Heung-min Son became one of the Premier League’s most electrifying forwards, combining pace, intelligence, and finishing. Over ten seasons with Tottenham, he scored 127 goals in 333 appearances, becoming the league’s most prolific Asian player.

His ability to cut in from the wing, strike with either foot, and create space for teammates allowed him to form a historic partnership with Harry Kane. His 2025 exit to MLS marked the end of an era, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer and fan favorite for Spurs.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 127

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s thunderous shot and predatory movement brought him 127 goals in England’s top tier. The Dutch striker shone with Leeds, Chelsea, and Middlesbrough, twice winning the Golden Boot. His physical presence and ruthless finishing made him a constant menace to defences.

Robin van Persie, 144

Robin van Persie’s left foot was a weapon of precision and power. The Dutchman scored 144 Premier League goals across spells with Arsenal and Manchester United, winning back-to-back Golden Boots in his final Arsenal season and first at United. His ability to score from any angle, whether through acrobatic volleys or curling strikes, made him one of the most technically gifted forwards the league has seen.

Jamie Vardy, 145

Jamie Vardy’s story is one of soccer’s great fairytales. Rising from non-league soccer to Premier League champion, he has scored 145 goals, almost all for Leicester City. His lightning pace, relentless pressing, and fearless finishing underpinned Leicester’s 2015-16 title triumph and his record-breaking run of scoring in 11 consecutive matches.

Teddy Sheringham, 146

Teddy Sheringham’s game was built on intelligence and timing rather than raw pace. Over a career spanning three decades, he scored 146 Premier League goals for clubs including Tottenham, Manchester United, and West Ham.

His movement, vision, and knack for linking play made him an ideal partner for strike partners, while his knack for big goals cemented his reputation as a clutch performer.

Les Ferdinand, 149

Les Ferdinand combined aerial dominance with a natural scorer’s instinct, racking up 149 goals in just over 350 appearances. His best spells came with QPR, Newcastle, and Tottenham, where he consistently reached double figures. Strong, mobile, and brave in the air, he was a complete centre-forward who thrived in the physical battles of the 1990s Premier League.

Michael Owen, 150

Michael Owen’s early years promised a dynasty. Exploding onto the scene with Liverpool as a teenager, he scored 150 Premier League goals, pairing blistering pace with clinical finishing.

Injuries curtailed his prime, but his instinct to time runs behind defences and keep composure under pressure made him one of England’s most feared forwards at the turn of the century.

Jermain Defoe, 162

Jermain Defoe’s longevity and adaptability were the cornerstones of his 162 Premier League goals. Across spells with West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Sunderland, and Bournemouth, he consistently found ways to stay relevant in changing tactical eras. Quick over short distances, deadly in one-on-one situations, and never shy to take on a shot, he epitomised the sharp-shooting poacher.

Robbie Fowler, 163

Nicknamed “God” by Liverpool fans, Robbie Fowler possessed a natural scoring touch that seemed effortless. He struck 163 times in 379 matches, with an early burst in the mid-90s making him one of the most feared strikers of his generation. He was equally dangerous from both feet, could score spectacular volleys or poacher’s tap-ins, and carried an innate sense for being in the right place at the right time.

Thierry Henry, 175

Grace, intelligence, and a predator’s edge — Thierry Henry’s Premier League career blended artistry with efficiency. In 258 appearances for Arsenal, he scored 175 goals, won four Golden Boots, and inspired the “Invincibles” season of 2003-04.

His ability to glide past defenders at full speed before curling the ball into the far corner became a signature sight. For many, he remains the gold standard for a forward in England’s top flight.

Frank Lampard, 177

Frank Lampard’s inclusion among the top scorers is all the more remarkable given his position. From midfield, he netted 177 times in 609 appearances, largely with Chelsea, redefining the goal-scoring expectations of his role.

He mastered late runs into the box, thrived on precision shooting from distance, and was unflappable from the penalty spot. His scoring consistency over more than a decade was a key pillar in Chelsea’s rise to domestic and European dominance.

Sergio Aguero, 184

Few players have made an impact as explosive and enduring as Sergio Agüero. Arriving at Manchester City in 2011, the Argentine needed just 275 Premier League matches to score 184 goals, making him the league’s highest-scoring overseas player.

His last-minute title-winning strike in 2012 remains one of the most iconic moments in English soccer history. Blessed with lightning acceleration, low-centre balance, and an uncanny instinct for goal, he didn’t just score — he changed the trajectory of a club.

Mohamed Salah, 186

Mohamed Salah has rewritten what it means to be a wide forward in the Premier League. Since joining Liverpool in 2017, he has scored 186 goals in just over 300 appearances, maintaining a strike rate above 0.6 per game.

The Egyptian has broken record after record, becoming the top-scoring African in league history and the first player to register double figures in both goals and assists across six separate seasons. His blend of pace, precision, and durability has made him not just a Liverpool legend, but one of the defining players of the modern era.

Andrew Cole, 187

Andy Cole’s instincts in front of goal were razor-sharp, his movement a constant nightmare for defenders. His 187 goals came through spells at Newcastle United, Manchester United, and several other clubs, but his peak years saw him spearhead United’s attack during their famous 1998-99 treble-winning campaign. In 1993-94, he achieved the rare feat of topping the league in both goals and assists, a testament to his all-round understanding of the game.

Wayne Rooney, 208

Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene as a fearless teenager and evolved into one of the league’s most enduring icons. Across 491 appearances, he scored 208 goals, splitting his legacy between Everton and Manchester United.

At United, he became the club’s all-time top scorer, blending raw power with creativity, unselfish passing, and a tireless work rate. His versatility allowed him to shift seamlessly from striker to playmaker, ensuring his influence was felt far beyond the penalty area.

Harry Kane, 213

Harry Kane’s rise from Tottenham academy hopeful to one of soccer’s most complete forwards is a story of precision, persistence, and adaptability. With 213 Premier League goals in just over 320 matches, he holds the record for the most goals for a single club in the competition’s history.

His range — clinical finishing with either foot, aerial prowess, and playmaking vision — has redefined the modern No.9. Even after leaving England, the question lingers: could he one day surpass Shearer’s untouchable mark?

Alan Shearer, 260

Alan Shearer was more than just a prolific striker; he was the embodiment of Premier League firepower in its formative years. From his blistering days at Blackburn Rovers to his homecoming heroics at Newcastle United, he amassed an unmatched 260 goals in 441 appearances.

Dominant in the air, lethal from the spot, and relentless in open play, his record — crowned by a league title in 1994-95 — has stood as the ultimate benchmark for over two decades.