LONDON • Southampton striker Shane Long scored the fastest goal in Premier League history, netting after just 7.69 seconds of his side's 1-1 Premier League draw at Watford on Tuesday.
The Ireland international's opener came immediately after the kick-off when he blocked a clearance from Watford defender Craig Cathcart before dinking a cool finish over goalkeeper Ben Foster.
The 32-year-old's effort at Vicarage Road surpassed the previous fastest league goal, scored in 9.82 seconds by then Tottenham defender Ledley King against Bradford in December 2000.
While it was only Long's fourth strike of the season, three of those have come in his last four appearances and his hot form has been a fillip for Ralph Hasenhuttl's team.
The Saints are now six points clear of 18th-placed Cardiff with just three league games remaining.
However, they were left to rue their missed opportunities to all but mathematically seal safety after twice striking the woodwork through Nathan Redmond and Ryan Bertrand.
Expressing his surprise at his feat, Long told Sky Sports: "It's a record, is it?
"Straight from the kick-off, we wanted to put them under pressure, 99 times out of a hundred, you block it and it doesn't work, but this time, it did."
7.69sec
His joy was tempered by Andre Gray's added-time equaliser, which saw his teammates fall to the pitch in despair. He added: "It's nice to have a record like that, but it would have been nicer if it was the winning goal."
King was in the stands at Spurs' 1-0 home win over Brighton the same night and he later acknowledged the achievement, tweeting: "Just wanted to congratulate Shane Long on breaking the fastest goal in Premier League history record after 19 years.
"That's gonna take some beating, well done."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Europa League hat-trick hero Giroud hoping for EPL chance LONDON • Olivier Giroud has not given up hope of regaining a place in Chelsea's Premier League team, with his prolific form in European competition as he seeks to extend his stay for a further year.
Olivier Giroud wants Premier League spot at Chelsea after
Yerry Mina would be a good signing for Manchester United this summer, according to Red Devils legend Wes Brown. Manchester United are weighing up alternative options to improve the Red Devils
Man Utd's 6-1 loss to Man City is my 'worst ever day' - Sir
Chelsea passed another tough test in Europe after claiming a valuable away draw in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt. Luka Jovic gave the Bundesliga
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea - Europa League semi-final
Newport manager Michael Flynn says beating Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday would represent the biggest shock in the history of the competition. County are 82 places
Victory over Man City would be biggest FA Cup shock ever
Massimiliano "Max" Allegri (Italian pronunciation: [massimiˈljaːno alˈleːɡri, - alˈlɛː-]; born 11 August 1967) is an Italian former professional football player and current manager, who most recently managed Juventus. As a player, Allegri was a midfielder who spent his career playing
Jose Mourinho hinted Manchester United's players are simply not good enough to compete with Liverpool after being brushed aside 3-1 at Anfield on Sunday by the Premier League leaders. Mourinho
Mourinho concedes Man Utd incapable of living with Liverpool
LONDON (REUTERS) - The search for Cardiff City's new football star, Emiliano Sala, resumed on Wednesday (Jan 23) 36 hours after the light aircraft he was flying on disappeared in the English Channel..
Hopes fade for football star Emiliano Sala as rescuers search
Moise Kean came off the bench to claim a late winner and put Juventus on the brink of clinching the Serie A title. If Napoli lose at home to Genoa on Sunday, Juve will be Italian champions for an
Moise Kean Winner Puts Juventus On Brink Of Serie A Title
He's great to watch, but he's not God: Pope sets fans straight on Lionel Messi For Barcelona fans, Lionel Messi is 'D10S', a combination of the Spanish word for "God" - "dios" - with the No 10 on his shirt.
'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba
Banks was best known for the stunning one-handed save from a Pele bullet header that bounced awkwardly in front of him during England's group-stage game against Brazil at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Players and fans pay tribute as England World Cup-winning
The caretaker manager blamed a first domestic defeat in 13 league matches on missed chances and exonerated David de Gea from fault when the keeper was beaten by Granit Xhaka for the opening goal.
Rassie Erasmus happy with Bok win but rues missed chances
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian captain Thiago Silva has been granted French citizenship, he announced on Twitter on Friday. Thiago SIlva and wife The 34-year-old's decision means PSG have an
PSG captain Thiago Silva receives French citizenship
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian captain Thiago Silva has been granted French citizenship, he announced on Twitter on Friday. The 34-year-old's decision means PSG have an extra space in their squad for a non-EU player. Silva has played 274 games since joining the reigning Ligue 1 champions in 2012 and has 77 caps for Brazil.
PSG captain Thiago Silva receives French citizenship
Premier League: Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa Arrizabalaga shines Description: Eden Hazard was the catalyst with an incisive run into the Fulham area, the Belgian laying the ball back to the Jorginho, who guided a superb strike into the top corner from 18 yards.
Premier League: Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa
0 comments:
Post a Comment