A look back at some of the Premier League's greatest ever goal machines
Happy 45th birthday to Alan Shearer, the all-time Premier League top scorer with 260 goals in 441 appearances. pic.twitter.com/IJpxvBnSg7
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 13, 2015
As the ultimate domestic competition on Earth, the Premier League has provided plenty of magical moments over the years. From epic derby matches to comical chanting, England's top flight serves up the drama and excitement fans crave, alongside having housed some of the game's greatest-ever goal scorers.
Goal-getters have always been adored
While some football lovers prefer the full-blooded challenges of yesteryear and the muddy pitches of the 1980s, fans are in general agreement about the beauty of a goal machine. Goal scorers bring out the nostalgia in football fans, with supporters around the country having a favourite goal-getter who turned out for their beloved club.After all, goals win games, and these deadly frontmen typically delivered numerous memories with their reliable finishes. Nowadays, sides like Manchester City possess players with an eye for goal which makes them a team many fans focus on when selecting their fantasy football squads and also back for the title when looking at their Premiership odds of 8/11. However, some of yesteryear's strikers consistently scored over a far longer period.
Alan Shearer (260 goals)
Alan Shearer is officially the Premier League's highest-ever goal scorer. With 260 Premier League goals in just 441 appearances for the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, Shearer had it all. His most impressive campaign was in 1994-95 when the England hero managed to bag 34 goals. A back-to-back Golden Boot winner who also won the Premier League with Blackburn, Alan Shearer was a consummate professional who clearly knew where the goal was.Sergio Agüero (184 goals)
With 184 Premier League goals to his name, Sergio Agüero is one of the most talented forwards to have ever plied their trade in England. Known as a Manchester City great who is responsible for one of the most iconic title-winning moments in top-flight history, the Argentine was a key cog in the Cityzens' wheel during the club's rise to the very top of English football. One of the league's finest-ever imports, the former Atletico Madrid man arrived with plenty of weight on his shoulders. Luckily for City, Agüero embraced the challenge and managed to net a staggeringly impressive 184 goals in just 275 Premier League appearances. He also holds the record for the most goals scored in a single match, with five to his name.Thierry Henry (175 goals)
Let's settle this.
— UberArsenal (@UberAFC) July 22, 2014
POLL:
Who was better out of the two Invincibles?
RT - THIERRY HENRY
FAV - DENNIS BERGKAMP pic.twitter.com/f62B6mK2Rq
Rounding things off with a true legend of the game, Arsenal fans adore Thierry Henry. Perhaps the most talented all-round striker on the list, the former Monaco man was signed for £11 million following the departure of Nicolas Anelka. Henry certainly delivered despite the undoubted pressure that came with such a large transfer fee at the time, taking just 258 appearances to find the back of the net 175 times. The Frenchman was particularly unstoppable during Arsenal's 2003/04 Invincibles season where he managed to score 30 goals, win the Golden Boot prize, and even earn the Player of the Season award.
Special mention must also go to Andy Cole (187 goals), Wayne Rooney (208 goals), and Harry Kane (213 goals).