Stepping up to the penalty spot in a football match is often the most nerve-wracking moment a player can face. The weight of expectation from fans, teammates, and even the opposition is immense. While most players will experience the pressure of a penalty shootout at some point, a select few possess an almost supernatural calm, a steely resolve that sees them consistently convert from 12 yards. These are the players with ice in their veins.
This analysis delves into the statistics of penalty-taking in the Premier League, highlighting those who have mastered the art of the spot-kick and those who have, perhaps, found it a little more challenging.
The Premier League’s Penalty Perfectionists
When it comes to a perfect record from the penalty spot in the Premier League, two names stand head and shoulders above the rest, especially when considering a significant number of attempts.
Raul Jimenez: Currently holds the remarkable distinction of having the best penalty record in Premier League history. Across his spells with Wolves and Fulham, Jimenez has stepped up 14 times and converted every single one. This flawless record of 14 from 14 is unprecedented for a player with such a volume of attempts in the league. His consistency has seen him score against 13 different goalkeepers, with only Christian Walton of Ipswich Town being beaten twice by the Mexican international in the same fixture.
Here’s a breakdown of Jimenez’s penalty journey in the Premier League:
- November 3, 2018: Wolves vs. Tottenham. Scored against Hugo Lloris.
- February 23, 2019: Bournemouth vs. Wolves. Scored against Artur Boruc.
- August 25, 2019: Wolves vs. Burnley. Scored against Nick Pope.
- October 19, 2019: Wolves vs. Southampton. Scored against Angus Gunn.
- January 18, 2020: Southampton vs. Wolves. Scored against Alex McCarthy.
- July 12, 2020: Wolves vs. Everton. Scored against Jordan Pickford.
- January 15, 2022: Wolves vs. Southampton. Scored against Fraser Forster.
- September 28, 2024: Nottingham Forest vs. Fulham. Scored against Matz Sels.
- January 5, 2025: Fulham vs. Ipswich Town. Scored against Christian Walton.
- January 5, 2025: Fulham vs. Ipswich Town. Scored against Christian Walton (again).
- December 22, 2025: Fulham vs. Nottingham Forest. Scored against John Victor.
- February 1, 2026: Manchester United vs. Fulham. Scored against Senne Lammens.
- February 22, 2026: Sunderland vs. Fulham. Scored against Robin Roefs.
- March 21, 2026: Fulham vs. Burnley. Scored against Martin Dubravka.
Yaya Touré: Before Jimenez’s rise, the Ivorian midfield maestro Yaya Touré held the record for the best penalty record with a perfect 11 from 11 in league matches. His composure and power from the spot were a significant asset for Manchester City during his tenure.
Behind these two, other players have achieved perfection over fewer attempts. Dimitar Berbatov, for example, was a perfect nine-for-nine, but his total number of penalties taken doesn’t quite reach the elite volume of Jimenez or Touré. The record was famously held by Touré until Jimenez’s remarkable run saw him surpass the former City star. Cole Palmer had an opportunity to match Touré’s record, but a miss on his 11th attempt against Leeds in March 2025 ended his perfect streak.
The Elite Penalty Takers by Percentage
When we look at penalty takers with a minimum of 11 attempts, a clear hierarchy emerges based on their success rate.
| Player | Scored/Taken | Record | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raul Jimenez | 14/14 | 100% | Active |
| Yaya Toure | 11/11 | 100% | Retired (2019) |
| Matt Le Tissier | 25/26 | 96.2% | Retired (2002) |
| Danny Murphy | 18/19 | 94.7% | Retired (2013) |
| Cole Palmer | 18/19 | 94.7% | Active |
| Callum Wilson | 16/17 | 94.1% | Active |
| James Beattie | 16/17 | 94.1% | Retired (2013) |
| Julian Dicks | 15/16 | 93.8% | Retired (2002) |
| Bukayo Saka | 12/13 | 92.3% | Active |
| Thierry Henry | 23/25 | 92% | Retired (2014) |
The Premier League’s Most Prolific Penalty Scorers
While percentage is a key metric, the sheer volume of penalties scored also tells a significant story.
- Alan Shearer: The Premier League’s all-time leading scorer also holds the record for the most penalties scored, with a staggering 56 successful conversions from 67 attempts. His career success rate stands at an impressive 83.6%.
Here are the top penalty scorers in the league’s history:
| Player | Scored/Taken | Record | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Shearer | 56/67 | 83.6% | Retired (2006) |
| Frank Lampard | 43/50 | 86% | Retired (2017) |
| Mohamed Salah | 35/41 | 85.4% | Active |
| Harry Kane | 33/37 | 89.2% | Active |
| Steven Gerrard | 32/39 | 82% | Retired (2017) |
Note: “Active but not currently contracted to a Premier League club” applies to players like Steven Gerrard who have retired from the Premier League but may still be playing elsewhere.
The Unfortunate Side: Premier League’s Toughest Penalty Takers
Identifying the “worst” penalty takers is a more complex exercise. Often, players who consistently miss penalties are simply removed from spot-kick duties. This means that those who have missed the most are also often the players who have taken the most, and these are frequently legends of the game.
- Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney: Both players share the unwanted distinction of having missed the most penalties in Premier League history, with 11 misses each. However, given their overall goal-scoring records, these misses are perhaps a testament to their longevity and willingness to take responsibility.
Wayne Rooney’s career success rate of around 67% is notably lower than the typical expectation for a regular penalty taker. Other players who have struggled from the spot with a reasonable number of attempts include:
- Juan Pablo Ángel (5/10)
- Steed Malbranque (6/10)
- Dwight Yorke (6/10)
These players, like Rooney, eventually saw their penalty-taking responsibilities reassigned due to their inconsistent returns.
Raheem Sterling also has a less-than-ideal record, with 4 goals from 10 attempts, though his statistics span across various competitions and clubs. Michael Owen, another prolific striker, also had a notable number of misses, scoring just 14 out of 21 attempts for a 67% success rate, mirroring Rooney’s figures.
The Global Perspective: Who is the Ultimate Penalty King?
Quantifying the absolute best penalty taker across all of football history is a monumental task, given the vast array of competitions, eras, and available data. However, some names consistently emerge in discussions:
Cuauhtémoc Blanco: Often cited as one of the greatest penalty takers ever, the Mexican legend boasted an incredible 95% success rate from 73 attempts during his career spanning from 1998 to 2015. With just two misses in his entire professional life from the spot, his record is truly astounding.
Ronald Koeman: The Dutch defender was renowned for his powerful shooting and remarkable penalty-taking ability. He holds the record for most consecutive penalties scored in the Spanish top flight with 25 and finished his career with an exceptional 94% success rate from 103 attempts, scoring 97 and missing only 6.
Rickie Lambert: While his Premier League record might not be as extensive (7 from 7), English striker Rickie Lambert was a penalty specialist throughout his career. He converted 48 of his 51 career penalty attempts across various clubs, including Southampton, Liverpool, West Brom, and Cardiff City.
Southampton, in particular, seems to have a rich history of excellent penalty takers. Club icon Matt Le Tissier is a prime example. His Premier League record of 25 goals from 26 attempts is outstanding, and when all competitions are considered, his record was even more impressive: 43 goals from 44 attempts. He famously only had one penalty saved in his career by Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley in March 1993. Following that rare miss, Le Tissier embarked on an incredible run of 27 consecutive successful penalties.
