Who has scored the most penalties in Premier League history?

Find out who has scored the most penalties in Premier League history, how the all-time list stacks up, and which players were the most reliable from the spot.

Penalties are one of football’s most high–pressure moments. No teammates to pass to, no defenders to beat, just a kick and a goalkeeper trying to guess which way to go.

Over the years, penalties have played a huge role in Premier League history. They’ve decided tight matches, swung title races, and quietly padded goal totals.

Some players barely take any, but others have built entire scoring records around them. Let’s take a look at some of the most successful penalty takers in the Premier League.

Who has scored the most penalties in the Premier League?

The record for most penalties scored in Premier League history belongs to legendary Newcastle number 9, Alan Shearer.

Across his time with Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, Shearer scored a whopping 56 Premier League penalties, a total that remains unmatched to this day. His overall Premier League goal record often steals the headlines, but penalties made up a consistent part of his scoring output.

Shearer played in the league for a long time, led the line for attacking sides, and was the first-choice penalty taker wherever he went. Those three things combined made for a penalty total that’s unlikely to be touched for a long time, if ever.

Top penalty scorers in Premier League history

Shearer sits at the top, but there’s a lot of familiar names that feature high on the list:

• Alan Shearer – 56 penalties

• Frank Lampard – 43 penalties

• Harry Kane – 33 penalties

• Mohamed Salah – 32 penalties

• Steven Gerrard – 31 penalties

• Mark Noble – 28 penalties

• Jamie Vardy – 27 penalties

• Sergio Agüero – 27 penalties

• Matt Le Tissier – 25 penalties

• Wayne Rooney – 23 penalties

• Thierry Henry – 23 penalties

It’s a pretty varied list, with strikers, attacking midfielders, and players who operate across multiple roles.

Why do some players score so many penalties?

Scoring lots of penalties isn’t only about being calm from twelve yards.

First, a player needs opportunity. Teams that spend more time in the opposition box tend to win more penalties. Attackers who dribble, run at defenders, and play centrally are more likely to be involved when contact happens.

Second, there’s trust. Managers rarely rotate penalty takers once a player proves to be reliable. One miss can change that, but consistency can lock the role down for years.

Third, longevity matters. The Premier League rewards players who stay fit, stay selected, and stay in the competition. A striker who plays fifteen seasons has far more chances to build a penalty record than someone who peaks for three or four.

Are penalty totals a fair way to judge scorers?

Penalty goals count the same as any other on the scoresheet, but they’re often debated.

Some players get criticised for relying too heavily on spot kicks to boost their scoring total, as many successful strikers barely take any penalties at all. A forward playing in a dominant side will naturally see more penalty chances, whereas a player in a counter-attacking team might score fewer, even if their finishing is just as strong.

Penalty totals don’t tell the whole story, but they do show consistency, responsibility, and the ability to hold your nerve and keep calm under pressure.

How penalty scoring has changed over time

Penalty numbers have shifted across Premier League eras.

Modern football sees more touches in the box, more VAR reviews, more scrutiny on contact, and a LOT more diving. That's increased the number of penalties given in recent seasons compared to the early years of the league.

At the same time, goalkeepers are better prepared. Video analysis, scouting, and data all play an important role in preparation. Penalty takers now face keepers who know their habits, preferred sides, and run-ups, which makes mind-games a big part of how a player performs in the heat of the action.

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