Which Premier League players have been the most prolific from free-kicks and penalties combined in the division’s history?
James Ward-Prowse is arguably the Premier League’s best set-piece taker right now and scored from the spot during West Ham’s draw with Bournemouth earlier this month.
The midfielder’s spot-kick was the 32nd goal he had scored from free-kicks or penalties in the Premier League, with only five players having ever managed more.
The players with the most free-kicks and penalties in Premier League history:
James Ward-Prowse – 32
James Ward-Prowse’s ability from set-pieces is well documented and he is fast closing in on the top five for free-kicks and penalties scored.
The West Ham midfielder has scored 17 free-kicks in the Premier League, just one short of David Beckham’s record. He’s also proven to be pretty handy from the spot with 15 successful conversions from 12 yards.
James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick highlights reel is ridiculous! @WestHam have signed a set-piece specialist ???? pic.twitter.com/XifC31SZC5
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 14, 2023
Harry Kane – 34
Harry Kane converted 34 free-kicks and penalties in his Premier League career, with the bulk of those coming from the penalty spot.
Only two players have scored more penalties in the Premier League than Kane (33). His sole free-kick in the division came during his breakout 2014/15 campaign at Spurs when Kane came off the bench to score a deflected last-minute effort to earn the North Londoners a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Thierry Henry – 34
Thierry Henry confidently converted 92% of his penalties in the Premier League, scoring with 23 of his 25 attempts from the spot.
The French forward won a record four Premier League Golden Boots during his career at Arsenal, which saw him score a club-record 228 goals for the Gunners. Among his haul included 11 free-kicks in the Premier League.
How to take a free-kick by Thierry Henry ????#GoalOfTheDay // @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/8EVA2hX99X
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 8, 2021
Steven Gerrard – 39
Steven Gerrard sits third on this list with 39 free-kicks and penalties combined.
The midfielder spent his entire Premier League career at boyhood club Liverpool, emerging from the Reds’ ranks to become one of the club’s all-time greats. He scored 32 penalties, the fourth-highest number in the division’s history, and seven free-kicks.
Frank Lampard – 52
Frank Lampard’s goalscoring numbers from midfield look unlikely to be beaten, with the former Chelsea midfielder scoring 177 times in the Premier League.
Lampard’s best seasons came at Chelsea after an £11m move across the capital from West Ham, where he played an integral part in the most successful era in the Blues’ history. Lampard scored 211 goals in all competitions for Chelsea, breaking Bobby Tambling’s club record, and won three Premier League titles with the club.
Alan Shearer – 63
Alan Shearer could really hit a football.
Whether from 12 yards or a greater distance, the Geordie goal machine often went for thudding power when taking aim. It worked a treat, as Shearer scored 56/65 penalties taken in the Premier League and added seven free-kicks.
Those goals helped Shearer become a three-time Golden Boot winner and both Newcastle and the Premier League’s record scorer. His 260 goals in the Premier League is a benchmark that will be difficult to beat.
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