The English Premier League (EPL) is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and entertaining football leagues in the world. Since its inception in 1992, the league has produced some of the all time top scorer EPL. These players have thrilled fans with their goal-scoring exploits, setting records that may stand the test of time. In this article, Win Tips Bet takes a deep dive into the all-time top scorers in Premier League history.
All time top scorer EPL
The list of all-time Premier League scorers ranks all players in order of total goals scored.
Alan Shearer
For three decades and counting, Alan Shearer has stood unchallenged as the top scorer EPL all-time leading goalscorer with an incredible 260 goals. Since surpassing Teddy Sheringham in December 1993, no player has managed to dethrone him—a testament to his unmatched consistency, power, and lethal finishing.
While Harry Kane seemed like a genuine contender, his move abroad has left Shearer’s record safe—for now. Erling Haaland could pose a future threat, but with modern footballers often switching leagues, there’s every chance Shearer’s legacy remains untouched for decades more.
Though Newcastle United is where Shearer became a true legend, scoring 148 Premier League goals for his hometown club, his most prolific spell came at Blackburn Rovers, where he fired in 112 goals in just 138 games—leading them to an iconic Premier League title in 1994-95.
A Southampton academy graduate, Shearer’s return to Newcastle in 1996 was a fairytale homecoming, and he remained at St James’ Park until retirement. To this day, he is idolized by the Toon Army, his name forever synonymous with Premier League greatness.
Harry Kane
Has Harry Kane waved goodbye to his shot at breaking Alan Shearer’s Premier League goal record? Many believe so after his high-profile switch to Bayern Munich in 2023. Few could fault his decision—despite being one of the most gifted strikers of his generation, Kane endured years of team-level disappointment at Tottenham, and at Bayern, silverware seems all but guaranteed. But has chasing trophies come at the cost of a historic Premier League legacy?
With 213 goals, Kane was just 47 strikes away from Shearer’s seemingly untouchable 260-goal tally. If he had stayed in England, he would likely have surpassed it. That was the biggest argument against his move—would becoming the Premier League’s all-time top scorer have cemented his name among football’s greatest?
That said, the story isn’t over. If Kane enjoys a few dominant seasons in Germany, what’s to stop him from returning to England at 32 or 33? Given his game has never relied on explosive pace, he could easily remain elite well into his late 30s—and if that happens, the chase for Shearer’s record might not be over just yet.
Wayne Rooney
Despite only twice hitting the 20-goal mark in a single Premier League season, Wayne Rooney still managed to become the league’s third-highest scorer with 208 goals—a testament to his longevity, versatility, and sheer brilliance.
While his later years saw a decline—partly due to his gradual transition into midfield—Rooney’s prime was nothing short of extraordinary. A fearless competitor, he blended raw power, technical finesse, and relentless work ethic like few before him. Whether it was a thunderous long-range strike, a delicate chip, or a poacher’s finish, Rooney had every tool in the box.
His impact on Manchester United is unmatched—he remains the club’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals in all competitions, with 74 more Premier League goals than any other United player. From his teenage wonder goal for Everton to his bicycle kick against Manchester City, Rooney’s career was filled with moments of genius that ensured his place among English football’s immortals.
Andrew Cole
Few strikers in Premier League history have been as consistent, versatile, and lethal as Andrew Cole, who racked up 187 goals across a career spanning multiple top-flight clubs.
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Although he played for six different Premier League teams, it was at Manchester United where he truly cemented his legacy. His 93 goals for the Red Devils were crucial in an era of dominance, with his most famous contributions coming in the 1998/99 treble-winning season. Alongside Dwight Yorke, he formed one of the most iconic strike partnerships the league has ever seen—one built on instinctive movement, quick interchanges, and a telepathic understanding.
Beyond United, Cole was a force for Newcastle, Blackburn, Fulham, Man City, and Portsmouth, making him one of only two players (alongside Craig Bellamy) to score for six different Premier League clubs. While his ability to find the net was undeniable, his adaptability and influence in different teams make him a true great of the English game.
Sergio Agüero
Many have scored more Premier League goals than Sergio Agüero, but few—if any—have delivered one as iconic as his.
His dramatic stoppage-time winner against QPR in 2012 didn’t just clinch Manchester City’s first Premier League title—it changed the course of English football history. The sheer ecstasy of that moment, immortalized by Martin Tyler’s legendary "AGÜEROOOO!" commentary, remains one of the most unforgettable moments in the sport.
Yet, Agüero was far more than just one historic goal. He was a relentless, clinical, and intelligent striker, arguably the best pure goalscorer the Premier League has ever seen before Erling Haaland’s arrival. His 184 goals came at a record-breaking rate of one every 108 minutes, making him statistically the most efficient finisher in league history. Sadly, a heart condition forced him into early retirement in 2021, but his legacy as a Manchester City legend and a Premier League great will endure for generations.
Mohamed Salah
At 32 years old, Mohamed Salah may not have Alan Shearer’s record in his sights, but his Premier League legacy is already set in stone. With 184 goals and counting, the Egyptian King has been one of the league’s most prolific and consistent goal-scorers.
A four-time Golden Boot winner, Salah’s ability to find the net remains unparalleled. His 200th goal for Liverpool scored in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in December 2023, cemented his place among the club’s greatest-ever players. He also became just the fifth player to net 150+ Premier League goals for a single club, joining Harry Kane (Tottenham), Sergio Agüero (Man City), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), and Thierry Henry (Arsenal) in this elite category.
Even more impressively, he reached 150 Premier League goals for Liverpool in just 247 games, making him the fifth-fastest player to achieve this feat—behind only Shearer, Agüero, Kane, and Henry. Salah’s impact at Anfield and in the Premier League will be remembered for years, whether or not he adds more records to his already remarkable career.
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard isn’t just Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer—he’s the most prolific midfielder in Premier League history. Across 13 legendary seasons at Stamford Bridge, Lampard established himself as an icon after joining from West Ham in 2001.
While it took him a couple of years to hit his stride, from 2003-04 onwards, he hit double figures for goals in 10 consecutive Premier League seasons—a feat unmatched by any other midfielder. His best campaign came in 2009-10, where he netted 22 goals, playing a crucial role in Carlo Ancelotti’s title-winning team.
That tally made him just the third Chelsea player to hit 20+ goals in a single Premier League season, following Didier Drogba and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Since then, only Diego Costa has joined that elite club. Lampard’s ability to arrive late in the box, convert penalties, and score from distance made him a nightmare for opposition defenses. While he briefly donned Manchester City’s colors in 2014-15, scoring eight more league goals, his true legacy will forever be tied to Stamford Bridge, where he cemented himself as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
Thierry Henry
After a challenging stint at Juventus, Thierry Henry’s early days in the Premier League weren’t exactly smooth sailing. Reuniting with Arsène Wenger at Arsenal in 1999, the young French forward initially struggled—failing to score in his first seven league matches.
However, once he broke his duck against Southampton on September 18, 1999, there was no looking back. Despite another dry spell, Henry still finished his debut season with 17 Premier League goals, outscoring most of the division's elite except for Kevin Phillips, Alan Shearer, and a handful of others.
Any doubts over Wenger’s £11 million investment quickly vanished as Henry evolved into one of the greatest players of his generation. His blend of blistering pace, sublime technique, and deadly finishing made him unstoppable, and he soon became the face of Arsenal’s golden era, inspiring the club to two league titles—including the legendary Invincibles season in 2003-04. By the time he left England, Henry had firmly established himself as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats, redefining what it meant to be a striker in the modern game.
In summary
As new talents continue to emerge, the race to become the all time top scorer EPL remains one of the league’s most exciting narratives. While Shearer’s record has stood the test of time, the unpredictability of football means anything is possible. Regardless of who takes the crown in the future, these legendary strikers will always be celebrated as some of the greatest to ever grace England’s top flight.
Read more: Who scored the most international goals? Top goal kings.
