Who has the most goals from the bench in Premier League history? Discover the ultimate top 8 Premier League super subs, featuring Defoe, Giroud, and Solskjaer.
In the Premier League, the super sub has evolved into a lethal tactical weapon. This type of footballer possesses the unique psychological resilience to sit in the cold for 75 minutes, instantly read the tempo of a frantic match, and exploit exhausted defenders with ruthless efficiency.
Here is the list of the greatest super subs in Premier League history.
8. Peter Crouch (16 Goals)
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Goals from the bench: 16, Substitute appearances: 158
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Clubs represented: Aston Villa, Southampton, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke City, Burnley
Standing at 6-foot-7 (2.01m), Peter Crouch holds the record for the most headed goals in Premier League history (53 goals). However, dismissing him as just a tall man who could head the ball is a massive disservice to his incredible technical ability.
For a succession of managers, throwing Crouch on in the last 20 minutes was the ultimate tactical wildcard. Crouch caused absolute panic in the box, not just scoring goals himself, but acting as a supreme focal point, knocking balls down for arriving midfielders to smash home.
With 158 substitute appearances, he was one of the most unforgettable Premier League super subs.
7. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (17 Goals)
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Goals from the bench: 17, Substitute appearances: 84
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Clubs represented: Manchester United
Among the Premier League super subs, is Solsa the greatest?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer achieved this milestone in significantly fewer substitute appearances (84). More importantly, the Norwegian is widely regarded as the spiritual godfather of the modern super sub.
Sir Alex Ferguson famously revealed that Solskjaer would spend his time on the bench intensely studying the game. He looked for the center-back who was carrying a slight knock, the full-back who was stepping up too high, or the spaces opening up between the lines. When he finally stepped onto the pitch, he already had a mental map of exactly how to destroy the opposition.
While his 1999 Champions League final winner is his most famous goal, his Premier League defining moment came against Nottingham Forest in 1999. Coming on in the 72nd minute with United already winning 4-1, Solskjaer scored an unbelievable four goals in the final 12 minutes of the match. It remains one of the most ruthless striking exhibitions in football history.
6. Nwankwo Kanu (17 Goals)
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Goals from the bench: 17, Substitute appearances: 118
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Clubs represented: Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth
Standing at an imposing 6-foot-5 (1.97m), Nwankwo Kanu moved with a languid, almost relaxed grace that completely deceived opposition defenders.
For Arsenal, West Brom, and Portsmouth, bringing Kanu off the bench meant introducing pure chaos. Tired defenders simply did not know how to cope with his unconventional rhythm and massive stride length.
His legendary 15-minute hat-trick against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 1999 perfectly encapsulates his genius. Coming on with Arsenal 2-0 down, Kanu single-handedly dismantled the Chelsea defense to win the game 3-2.
5. Daniel Sturridge (17 Goals)
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Goals from the bench: 17, Substitute appearances: 98
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Clubs represented: Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion
At his absolute peak, particularly during the breathtaking 2013-14 season alongside Luis Suarez at Liverpool, Daniel Sturridge was arguably the most naturally gifted English striker in Europe. However, even when utilized as an impact substitute throughout his career, he was a terrifying prospect for the opposition.
Sturridge possessed a brilliant, wand-like left foot and a swagger that intimidated defenders. He didn’t just score tap-ins; he scored spectacular, game-altering goals from outside the box. When a game was deadlocked, introducing Sturridge meant introducing pure, unadulterated unpredictability.
His signature wavy-arm dance celebration became a frequent sight in the final moments of tense Premier League encounters.
4. Danny Welbeck (18 Goals)
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Goals from the bench: 18, Substitute appearances: 143
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Clubs represented: Manchester United, Sunderland, Arsenal, Watford, Brighton & Hove Albion
Danny Welbeck’s career narrative has often been unfairly dominated by his unfortunate injury record, overshadowing his immense tactical value. Coming off the bench, he offers an intoxicating blend of relentless high-pressing, tactical intelligence, and sudden, powerful bursts of pace.
Whether he was chasing down lost causes for Manchester United, stretching the game for Arsenal, or providing crucial experience for Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi, Welbeck’s physical attributes make him a nightmare to defend against late in a match.
Arsenal fans will forever cherish his dramatic 95th-minute headed winner against Leicester City in 2016, a goal scored just minutes after coming off the bench following a ten-month injury layoff. It was a moment of pure cinematic drama.
3. Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) (19 Goals)
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Goals from the bench: 19, Substitute appearances: 78
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Clubs represented: Manchester United, West Ham United
Another famous Premier League super subs from Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson struck absolute gold when he brought the relatively unknown Mexican striker, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, to Old Trafford in 2010. Chicharito possessed an almost supernatural, borderline obsessive ability to find pockets of space inside the six-yard box.
With 19 goals in just 78 substitute appearances, his goals-per-minute ratio off the bench is truly staggering. He wasn’t a player who would dribble past three defenders or score from 30 yards; he was the ultimate poacher. If a goalkeeper parried a shot, or a cross took a lucky deflection, Chicharito was invariably there to tap it in.
His backwards-header against Stoke City and his dramatic late winner against Aston Villa defined Manchester United’s relentless, never-say-die attitude during the latter years of the Ferguson empire.
2. Olivier Giroud (21 Goals)
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Goals from the bench: 21, Substitute appearances: 103
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Clubs represented: Arsenal, Chelsea
Olivier Giroud is perhaps one of the most underrated strikers of his generation, yet his statistics speak volumes. The French international provided a completely different tactical dimension for both Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and a succession of managers at Chelsea.
When the intricate, passing-heavy “Plan A” failed to break down a stubborn low-block defense, Giroud was the ultimate “Plan B”. He was a master of the near-post run and possessed an incredible leap, making him a magnet for late crosses.
More than just a target man, Giroud’s exquisite first touch and deft flick-ons created panic in the penalty area, disrupting organized defensive lines that had spent 70 minutes dealing with smaller, faster forwards.
One of the most underrated Premier League super subs?
1. Jermain Defoe (24 Goals)
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Goals from the bench: 24, Substitute appearances: 149
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Clubs represented: West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Bournemouth
Not only a lethal striker, but also one of the most famous Premier League super subs.
Defoe’s secret weapon as a substitute was his explosive burst of pace over five yards and his ability to shoot with zero backlift. He didn’t need time to acclimatize to the pace of the game; he operated purely on predatory instinct.
While many of his goals were crucial equalizers or late winners, his time at Tottenham Hotspur perfectly encapsulated his role. Managers like Harry Redknapp knew that even if Defoe wasn’t starting, keeping him hungry on the bench guaranteed a relentless wave of attacking pressure in the final 20 minutes.
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