The players with the most headed goals in Premier League history have generally been long-term features in football betting. You might be surprised by some players who don’t make it into the top 10.
Several on this list are unsurprising, because of their stature, style of play, the tactics of their teams, or a combination of all three factors. A certain longevity is required to make it onto any aggregate list like this, too.
Here are the 10 players with the most headed goals in Premier League history…
Kenwyne Jones – 22
Stoke and Sunderland were Kenwyne Jones’ homes for the majority of his Premier League career. He also had appearances for Southampton and Cardiff, though he scored just one topflight goal across those two stints.
An imposing, 6’2 figure, Jones was an impactful centre forward whether operating with his back to goal or getting in behind.
Used as a focal point by Stoke and Sunderland, he was often the target of crosses, and had a knack for getting on the end of set pieces.
Tim Cahill – 22
Signed by Everton in 2004, Tim Cahill quickly became one of the Premier League’s best goal-scoring midfielders. Cahill was synonymous with David Moyes’ Everton, and occasionally led the line.
At his best, Cahill was playing just off a centre forward with the license to get into the box.
He had the aggression and physicality to battle with much bigger defenders, and even at 5’10, he was a constant threat in the air.
Chris Wood – 23
In 225 Premier League appearances, Chris Wood has scored 67 goals.
Having played for Leicester, Newcastle, Burnley, and Nottingham Forest when they have been battling the drop, Wood has been something of a relegation-fighting specialist.
His peak was four consecutive seasons with 10 or more Premier League goals for Burnley. Wood’s role is often more about being a release valve, and bringing others into play, than scoring goals.
His 23 headed goals show what a force he can be, though. He’s been a useful outlet for his teams when they need to go direct.
Andy Carroll -- 24
Andy Carroll’s Premier League career will be remembered for Liverpool’s massive deadline day mistake.
Carroll never lived up to expectations on Merseyside, and the remainder of his time in the topflight was blighted by injuries.
There’s no denying Carroll was a hard guy to go against. Physical, tall, and unafraid to throw his head at any ball, the big Geordie scored almost half of his Premier League goals with his head. Not many strikers can say that.
Romelu Lukaku – 25
One of the most expensive transfers in Premier League history, Romelu Lukaku had spells with Everton, Manchester United, West Brom, and Chelsea. The Belgian broke out on loan at the Baggies before starring for Everton.
Despite scoring 28 goals in 66 appearances, his time at Old Trafford was considered a disappointment. A second stint at Chelsea was even more of a letdown.
Lukaku is joint-20th in the all-time scoring charts, however, and was a fearsome matchup for central defenders at his peak.
Michail Antonio – 25
Although he’s nearing the 100 club, Michail Antonio is one of the more surprising names on this list.
Used everywhere from right-back to striker since signing for West Ham, he has been his most effective as a centre forward.
Direct and quick, Antonio has been a real nuisance for defenders on the counterattack. He also possesses an impressive leap, and has worked his to 25 headed goals, which is a tally only bettered by three players.
Olivier Giroud – 32
Olivier Giroud was unfairly criticised at Arsenal. It seemed like he finally got deserved appreciation during his time at Chelsea, even though he scored just 17 goals across four seasons in west London.
The Frenchman was an excellent link-up player for both London clubs. There was too much focus on what he couldn’t do, rather than what he excelled at. His movement off-ball was always excellent.
He could get a yard on a defender for a header, and had the technical ability to guide the ball where he wanted it without having the most net-bursting headed efforts.
Christian Benteke – 33
After arriving from Genk in 2012, Christian Benteke was one of the league’s best strikers for Aston Villa. A woeful season with Liverpool, and a big money move to Crystal Palace did not work out for the Belgian.
He scored over 80 goals in the Premier League. There were times when he looked utterly unplayable.
Unfortunately, there was also spells where he looked disinterested and like the powers from his Villa days had been sapped from him.
The tally of 33 headed goals reflects who Benteke was at his peak. For a couple of years, he was one of the best target men in world football.
Peter Crouch – 40
Standing at 6’7 and with 108 Premier League goals, it’s perhaps surprising that Peter Crouch only has 40 headed goals.
Crouch is tied with Harry Kane for the all-time lead, which was a record he held exclusively for a long period.
Crouch scored for six different Premier League clubs, with 45 of his goals coming for Stoke City. While his CV reads like a journeyman, the lanky striker was a much better player than that and carved out a solid England career. He has since turned to podcasting and punditry.
Harry Kane – 40
A perennial online betting favourite for the Golden Boot, it’s no surprise Harry Kane features on this list. Kane seems to be involved whichever category of goal-scoring you look at.
Of course, Kane was charging down Alan Shearer’s all-time record before his move to Bayern Munich.
There’s no question he’s among the greatest Premier League strikers, and one can’t help but wonder if we will see Kane back in the Premier League before he hangs up his boots.
It speaks to Kane’s all-round talents that he’s not renowned as an aerial force, yet still has 40 headed PL goals.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
