Football
Who is the Best Premier League Penalty Taker in History?
Nothing compares to the drama of a Premier League penalty shootout. Eleven yards, a ball, a goalkeeper and the weight of thousands of people in the stadium and millions of home fans pressing down on the shoulders of the taker. It is as much a mental duel as it is a technical exercise. The striker must conceal his intention, remain calm and trust his technique, while the goalkeeper plays mind games, trying to anticipate, distract or simply react in that split second.
Harry Kane/ Getty Images
Over the years, the league has seen masters of the penalty shootout who rarely flinch under pressure: Matt Le Tissier, who missed only one penalty in his career; Alan Shearer, whose thunderous strikes epitomised confidence; Frank Lampard, calm and calculated in the most crucial moments; and Mark Noble, West Ham’s trusted specialist. Penalties decide titles, survival in the first division and glory, and in the Premier League, they have created legends.
SB Market Index: How We Evaluate the Premier League's Best Penalty Takers
This evaluation combines a statistical analysis of their penalty records with expert and media perception to provide a comprehensive ranking of the league's most reliable spot-kick specialists.
Industry Insights
A curated analysis from top 10 football and sports media sources measures how prominently each player is featured in discussions of the "greatest" or "most reliable" penalty takers in Premier League history.
| Source Name | Alan Shearer | Frank Lampard | Mohamed Salah | Harry Kane | Steven Gerrard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League Official Site – "All-Time Penalty Records" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sky Sports – "Ranking the PL's Best from the Spot" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| FourFourTwo – "The 10 Most Reliable Penalty Takers" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bleacher Report – "Ranking the Nerves of Steel XI" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Goal.com – "Who Are the Best Penalty Takers in PL History?" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| The Guardian – "The Art of the Penalty Kick" analysis | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| talkSPORT – "Top 5 Premier League Penalty Takers" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 90min – "The Most Clinical Finishers from 12 Yards" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| GiveMeSport – "The 20 Best Penalty Takers of the 21st Century" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Reddit r/soccer – Fan Polls on "Best PL Penalty Taker" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Mentions | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
SB Score
| Player | Scored | Taken | Ratio | SB Score |
| Harry Kane | 33 | 37 | 0.89 | 0.909 |
| Frank Lampard | 43 | 50 | 0.86 | 0.916 |
| Mohamed Salah | 34 | 40 | 0.85 | 0.840 |
| Alan Shearer | 56 | 67 | 0.84 | 1.000 |
| Steven Gerrard | 32 | 41 | 0.78 | 0.757 |
This score is calculated based on three key penalty-taking metrics: Conversion Ratio (50% weightage), Total Penalties Scored (30% weightage), and Total Penalties Taken (20% weightage).
SB Market Index
| Rank | Player | SB Score | Industry Insights | SB Market Index |
| 1 | Alan Shearer | 1.000 | 10 | 8.200 |
| 2 | Frank Lampard | 0.916 | 10 | 8.183 |
| 3 | Harry Kane | 0.909 | 10 | 8.182 |
| 4 | Mohamed Salah | 0.840 | 9 | 7.368 |
| 5 | Steven Gerrard | 0.757 | 9 | 7.351 |
The Kings of the Spot-Kick: Shearer, Lampard, and Kane
When it comes to Premier League penalties, three names dominate the conversation: Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard and Harry Kane. All three recorded perfect scores in our SB Industry Insights study, a clear indication of how universally regarded the ultimate penalty takers are. But while the perception is shared, the numbers tell a story of extremely small margins.
Alan Shearer outshines the competition with his sheer volume of goals. With 56 penalties from 67 attempts, he not only tops the all-time charts, but also demonstrates the value of reliability across a huge sample. Frank Lampard, meanwhile, has been almost as prolific, with 43 goals from penalties, with a reputation for extremely cold precision in moments of pressure, particularly in the title race with Chelsea. Harry Kane completes this elite trio, boasting the best conversion rate of the three and an impeccable record of delivering in decisive situations for Spurs.
Each, in their own way, has redefined what it means to score from 11 meters with immense pressure on their shoulders.
The Modern Masters: Salah and Gerrard
Mohamed Salah and Steven Gerrard are just outside the top of the SB Market index, but their penalty records place them firmly among the Premier League's all-time elite. Both Liverpool legends were absolute leaders in this area.
Salah's tally of 34 goals from 40 attempts shows his accuracy and calm finishing style making him one of the most feared takers of the modern era. Perhaps his most iconic Premier League penalty came in 2020, when he slotted the ball into the net against Leeds United in a thrilling 4-3 win on matchday one, heralding Liverpool's title defence with authority. His ability to combine power and precision has kept goalkeepers in suspense for years and still does.
Meanwhile, Gerrard was the heart and soul of Liverpool and a fantastic captain, and penalties were often the scene where he displayed his mettle. His 32 goals from 41 attempts included shots in hotly contested matches, none more memorable than his rocket into the net against Arsenal in 2006 at Anfield, against Jens Lehmann, a moment that epitomised his passion for the rivalry. For Gerrard, every penalty was a test of leadership as much as technique, and he rarely hesitated when it mattered most.
Together, Salah and Gerrard highlight Liverpool's rich tradition of penalty specialists, combining calm efficiency with unforgettable moments of drama from the penalty spot.
The Nerves of Steel: Analyzing the Ratios
Penalty shooting is a form of hard pressing, and the Premier League's greatest stars have each approached it in their own distinctive way. Alan Shearer was pure power, driving the ball with unwavering confidence, challenging goalkeepers to stop him. Frank Lampard combined precision with composure, often waiting until the last moment to choose where to shoot. Mohamed Salah relies on composure and timing, his rapid runs keeping goalkeepers in doubt, while Steven Gerrard has had full-force shots, striking the ball with characteristic intensity.
Within this elite group, however, Harry Kane stands out for his efficiency. With a conversion rate of almost 90%, Kane has set the modern standard for consistency from 12 yards. His method of a calm, steady run followed by a clean, clinical finish epitomises control under pressure. At Tottenham, Kane's penalties rarely betray his nerves, cementing his reputation as one of the most efficient and reliable penalty takers the Premier League has ever seen.
Conclusion on the Premier League's Penalty Pantheon
When the numbers and expert opinion are put together, the picture becomes clear: Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard and Harry Kane form a practical tie for the top spot in Premier League penalty taking history. All three have achieved perfect scores in the industry’s perception, underlining how consistently they are recognised as the gold standard from the penalty spot. Statistically, their records are separated by the smallest of margins, Lampard with his ice-cold composure, Kane with his supreme conversion rate and Shearer with the unrivalled weight of volume.
Ultimately, it is this volume that propels Shearer to the top of our model. His 56 Premier League penalties, more than anyone else has ever scored, give him the slimmest edge over Lampard and Kane. Together, however, the trio represent the pinnacle of penalty taking excellence, legends who have defined reliability under pressure in football’s most demanding league.
Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.