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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Prenderville

Shane Long makes Premier League history with fastest-ever goal

Southampton striker Shane Long has scored the fastest goal in Premier League history.

Long broke the deadlock against Watford after just 7.69 seconds, breaking the previous record held by Ledley King.

The former Tottenham captain had held the record since 2000 following his strike against Bradford.

Remarkably, Watford kicked off the match at Vicarage Road with the ball played back to Craig Cathcart.

Long closed the defender down and his block put him through on goal before lifting his shot over the onrushing Ben Foster.

The striker had struggled for goals for much of the campaign but scored two in his previous three appearances before the visit to Watford.

Shane Long breaks clear to open the scoring (AFP/Getty Images)

Long opened the scoring in the defeat to Liverpool earlier this month and followed that up with a strike in the win over Wolves.

Southampton can all but secure Premier League survival with a win at Vicarage Road after an excellent recovery under Ralph Hassenhutl.

He was appointed at the start of December to replace Mark Hughes with the Saints dropping into the relegation zone.

Since then, they have picked up impressive results over Tottenham and Arsenal at St. Mary's.

Shane Long chips Ben Foster to score (Andrew Fosker/BPI/REX)
Southampton's Shane Long celebrates (PA)

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Southampton also hold the current record for the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history.

Sadio Mane scored three times in a staggering two minutes and 56 seconds in a crushing win over Aston Villa in May 2015.

Fastest Premier League goals

1. Shane Long (7 seconds) - Southampton vs Watford - 2019

2. Ledley King (10 seconds) - Tottenham vs Bradford - 2000

3. Alan Shearer (10 seconds) - Newcastle vs Man City - 2003

4. Christian Eriksen (11 seconds) - Tottenham vs Man City - 2018

5. Mark Viduka (11 seconds) - Leeds vs Charlton - 2001

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