In the world of football, there are a few things rarer than a goalkeeper scoring a goal. It’s a spectacle that defies the usual duties of a goalkeeper, who spends most of the game preventing goals rather than scoring them. Yet, in the Premier League, six goalkeepers have achieved the remarkable feat of finding the back of the net. While goalkeeper goals are an uncommon occurrence, when they do happen, it’s usually in the most dramatic of circumstances. Let’s take a look at each of these rare moments in Premier League history.

Peter Schmeichel – Aston Villa vs. Everton (20 October 2001)

Peter Schmeichel was the first goalkeeper to score in the Premier League, a feat he achieved while playing for Aston Villa in October 2001. Schmeichel, famous for his time at Manchester United, had been at Villa Park for just eight games when, in the dying moments of a match against Everton, he made a remarkable run forward to join a corner kick. With Villa 3-1 down in stoppage time, Schmeichel found himself in the right place at the right time to volley a corner past Everton’s goalkeeper Paul Gerrard.

Brad Friedel – Blackburn Rovers vs. Charlton Athletic (21 February 2004)

Brad Friedel’s Premier League goal might be the most bizarre of them all. In a match between Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic, Friedel’s moment of glory came in the final minute of the game. Blackburn were 2-1 down, and Friedel had come forward for a corner. The ball was delivered too far but returned into the box and, after a chaotic scramble, Friedel managed to divert the ball into the back of the net with a fortunate touch.

However, Friedel’s goal was short-lived in terms of significance. In the very next minute, Charlton scored a late winner to seal a 3-2 victory. Friedel’s goal, while celebrated by his teammates, was ultimately inconsequential as Blackburn left without a point. It’s a classic case of a goalkeeper achieving something extraordinary, but it coming in the most frustrating of circumstances.

Paul Robinson – Tottenham Hotspur vs. Watford (17 March 2007)

Paul Robinson’s goal came on a day that no one at White Hart Lane could have predicted. During a match against Watford, Robinson, the England international goalkeeper, launched a long free-kick from deep inside his half. The ball flew through the air and, thanks to a combination of miscommunication and a lack of attention from the Watford defenders, it sailed past goalkeeper Ben Foster and into the net.

It wasn’t exactly a traditional goal, but Robinson’s incredible strike put Tottenham 2-0 up, and they would eventually win the match 3-1. The goal was a combination of precision and luck, but it’s remembered for the shock it caused, as most people, including Robinson himself, had no idea the ball would find the back of the net.

Tim Howard – Everton vs. Bolton Wanderers (4 January 2012)

Tim Howard’s goal in 2012 was unique for a different reason. The American goalkeeper scored from an extraordinary 92-yard distance against Bolton Wanderers. In a match at Goodison Park, Howard’s punt upfield was caught by a gust of wind, which carried the ball over the head of Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan and into the net. Howard’s goal was the second-ever goalkeeper goal at Goodison Park, and its distance made it one of the most remarkable strikes in Premier League history.

Despite the incredible nature of the goal, Everton would go on to lose the match 2-1, as goals from David N’Gog and Gary Cahill turned the game around for Bolton. Still, Howard’s long-range strike remains one of the most memorable and bizarre goals ever scored by a goalkeeper.

Asmir Begovic – Stoke City vs. Southampton (2 November 2013)

Asmir Begovic’s goal, scored in 2013, is one of the fastest ever in Premier League history. The Stoke City goalkeeper launched a long clearance upfield, and the ball took a surprising bounce that caught Southampton’s goalkeeper Artur Boruc off guard. The ball flew into the net, and in just 13.64 seconds, Begovic had scored his famous goal, the fifth by a goalkeeper in Premier League history.

This goal was both strange and significant, as it came so quickly into the match and caught everyone by surprise. It also remains the longest-distance goal recorded since 2003-04, when Opta started recording such data, at an impressive 95.7 yards. Begovic’s strike was a testament to the unpredictability of football, especially when a goalkeeper is involved in the scoring.

Alisson Becker – Liverpool vs. West Bromwich Albion (16 May 2021)

Alisson Becker’s goal is perhaps the most dramatic of all. In May 2021, with Liverpool pushing for a top-four finish in the Premier League, Alisson scored a 95th-minute header to give his side a crucial 2-1 win over West Brom. This was not only the first-ever goal scored by a Liverpool goalkeeper in a competitive match since the club’s formation in 1892, but it was also the first-ever header scored by a goalkeeper in the Premier League.

The goal came in a tense match, with Alisson’s header proving to be the match-winner for Liverpool as they fought to secure a place in the Champions League for the following season. It was a moment of redemption for Liverpool’s season, and Alisson’s contribution was symbolic of the team’s determination. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Alisson’s goal helped propel Liverpool to a third-place finish and qualification for the Champions League.

Conclusion

The rarity of goalkeepers scoring in the Premier League makes these moments all the more special. Whether it’s Peter Schmeichel’s late consolation, Brad Friedel’s strange equalizer, or Alisson’s match-winning header, these rare events show that anything can happen in football. Each of these six goalkeeper goals tells a story of audacity, luck, and the unpredictability of the beautiful game. As long as football is played, the possibility remains that one day, another goalkeeper will etch their name into Premier League history with a goal of their own.