Top 10 Premier League Penalty Takers Of All Time

After Steven Gerrard saved Liverpool’s blushes with a vital spot kick on Tuesday night, we take a look at the top penalty takers in recent Premier League history.

Matthew Le Tissier

Those too young to remember the Southampton playmaker in his heyday might simply know him as “your man off Soccer Saturday”. Those of us lucky to have witnessed the silky skills of the one-club man remember how clinical he was from the spot. He scored 47 of 48 penalties.

Alan Shearer

Shearer scored 260 goals in 434 league appearances, still holding the record for all-time Premier League top goalscorer. Blasting the ball into the roof was a specialty of the Geordie before raising one hand (two if he was feeling adventerous) in possibly the worst goal celebration of all time.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Renowned for his ability to deliver the goods under severe pressure, Ronaldo’s record of 266 goals in 399 appearances has included some vital penalties including delivering the fatal blow to England’s World Cup 2006 hopes and scoring in the Champions League Final to land La Decima for Madrid.

Steven Gerrard

Dropping back in position to help his aging legs has curbed Gerrard’s ability to get into the box as much as he did as a young man, but he’s still a force to be reckoned with from 12 yards out.

The Liverpool legend has landed vital spot kicks for Liverpool like slotting away two at Old Trafford last season where his “camera kiss” celebration has become a sight Man Utd fans loath to see. However, much like his all-round play, he couldn’t recreate the magic in an England shirt, missing in that shootout against Portugal in 2006.

Frank Lampard

A touch of class from the spot, Lampard dispatched numerous vital penalties for Chelsea during his time there. Some may remember him slotting one into the Anfield net in a Champions League semi-final just days after his mother had passed away. He also scored in the Champions League final shootout of 2008 before Terry’s slip.

Mario Balotelli

He may have to wait until Gerrard retires before he gets the nod at Liverpool but Balotelli has a record from the spot that can be rivaled by few. Normally favouring a lazer-accurate sidefoot pass, the young Italian scored an amazing 29 penalties in a row keeping a 100% career record for both Inter Milan and Manchester City.

Robin Van Persie

A left bomb into the top corner is the sight most goalkeepers see after facing up to the silky skilled Dutchman. Dispatching with class was a famous stamp during his Arsenal days although his ventures have been curbed at Manchester United recently with captain Wayne Rooney pulling rank.

Denis Irwin

“Mr. Reliable”, Denis Irwin scored 22 goals as a left back for Manchester United, most of which were from the penalty spot. The fact that the Corkman was even elected by Sir Alex to step up in a team filled with stars is testament enough to his spot kick ability.

Denis Bergkamp

With ice in his veins, Denis Bergkamp’s penalties were placed with perfection whether he was on the training ground or staring down Peter Schmeichel infront of 80,000 fans. “The Iceman” scored 87 goals for Arsenal and remains one of the classiest players to have ever graced the Premier League.

Gary McAllister

The accurate sidefoot pass which made Gary McAllister a legend at clubs like Leeds and Liverpool was also the weapon of choice for his penalty kicks. The big Scot dispatched penalties for every club he played for although Scots might remember him for missing against England in Euro 96.