Headed goals used to be the bread and butter of old-school Premier League strikers — towering target men waiting in the box, ready to nod home a looping cross. But the art of aerial finishing evolved over the years, and today’s top headers of the ball come in all shapes and styles. From towering giants to spring-loaded leapers, the ability to dominate in the air remains a crucial weapon in the English top flight.
Whether through sheer physicality, perfect timing, or an uncanny knack for finding space, these are the 10 players who’ve scored more headed goals than anyone else in Premier League history — a mix of classic target men, modern all-rounders, and aerial maestros who made the skies their own.
Top 10 Players with Most Headed Goals in Premier League History
1. Peter Crouch (40 Headed Goals)
Clubs: Tottenham, Aston Villa, Southampton, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Stoke, Burnley
Standing tall at 6'7", Peter Crouch was an iconic figure in Premier League football. His towering presence made him a constant threat in the air, and his ability to score headers with precision was unmatched.
With 40 headed goals across 468 league matches, Crouch was a quintessential target man, often making the difference for his teams. And who could forget his famous robot celebration?
1. Harry Kane (40 Headed Goals)
Club: Tottenham
Despite not having the same physical stature as some of his counterparts, Harry Kane has mastered the art of scoring headers. His positioning, intelligence, and leap helped him score an astounding 40 headed goals in 320 Premier League matches before his move to Bayern.
Kane’s heading ability is even more impressive when you consider he can do it all—he’s a complete forward who blends aerial dominance with clinical finishing from all areas of the pitch. These Harry Kane Facts provide more about the England captain.
3. Christian Benteke (33 Headed Goals)
Clubs: Aston Villa, Liverpool, Crystal Palace
Belgium striker Christian Benteke was another classic target man, using his strength and height to power through defenders and score headers with ease.
He racked up 33 headed goals in 280 matches, making him one of the Premier League’s most dangerous aerial threats during his peak years.
His ability to dominate the air for Aston Villa and later Crystal Palace showcased his physicality and goal-scoring ability.
4. Olivier Giroud (32 Headed Goals)
Clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea
Olivier Giroud’s heading ability is one of the most underrated aspects of his game. The Frenchman may not be as tall as some others on this list, but his strength, technique, and precise positioning made him a real danger in the air.
Whether it was for Arsenal or Chelsea, Giroud’s 32 headed goals in 255 league matches are proof of his skyward dominance and composure in the box.
5. Chris Wood (29 Headed Goals)
Clubs: West Brom, Leicester, Burnley, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest
Still active in the Premier League, Chris Wood is known for his headed ball expertise. Despite not being as physically imposing as some, his heading ability has been a key feature of his game, helping him rack up 29 headed goals across his career.
His time at Burnley and now at Nottingham Forest has seen him excel in the air, and he could yet climb higher on this list if he continues his form.
6. Romelu Lukaku (25 Headed Goals)
Clubs: Chelsea, West Brom, Everton, Manchester United
Romelu Lukaku is another forward who blends power with finesse, and his heading ability is a big part of that. The Belgian international’s 25 headed goals demonstrate his strength and ability to rise above defenders, despite not being known exclusively for his aerial prowess.
Lukaku’s all-around forward play, including his heading ability, helped him succeed across multiple Premier League clubs, with a total of 278 appearances in the competition.
6. Michail Antonio (25 Headed Goals)
Club: West Ham
A fan favourite at West Ham, Michail Antonio has proven to be one of the most dangerous headers of the ball in the Premier League. His 25 headed goals come from his raw power, excellent timing, and leaping ability, despite not being among the tallest players.
Antonio’s athleticism makes him a tough opponent in the air, and he’s West Ham United's all-time leading scorer in the Premier League.
8. Andy Carroll (24 Headed Goals)
Clubs: Newcastle, Liverpool, West Ham
Andy Carroll may not have had the most prolific career in terms of total goals, but his heading ability was a real weapon. Standing at 6'4", Carroll was a classic target man, scoring 24 headed goals for clubs like Newcastle and West Ham. His ability to dominate defenders and find the back of the net with his head made him a constant aerial threat.
9. Tim Cahill (22 Headed Goals)
Club: Everton
At just 5'10", Tim Cahill defied the odds with his heading ability. Known for his incredible leap and timing, Cahill scored 22 headed goals during his career at Everton, where he became a club legend.
Despite his height, Cahill's relentless work ethic and vertical awareness made him one of the Premier League's most dangerous headers, often scoring crucial goals for his team.
9. Kenwyne Jones (22 Headed Goals)
Clubs: Sunderland, Stoke
Kenwyne Jones may not have scored as many goals as some others on this list, but when he did, it was often with his head. The Trinidad and Tobago international’s strength in the air helped him score 22 headed goals, a significant portion of his overall total.
Whether at Sunderland or Stoke, Jones was a constant aerial threat, using his physicality to score goals for his sides.
Comentarios