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There is something almost mythical about Alan Shearer’s Premier League goal record.
Shearer stands as the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer with 260 goals, ahead of Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.
Challengers have come and gone across the last two decades, but none have come within genuine danger of breaking Shearer's mark. Shearer scored for fun at Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, collecting Golden Boots and breaking countless records along the way.
He was a phenomenon during the mid-nineties, scoring 30+ league goals in three consecutive campaigns. No player has ever matched that, and only Harry Kane has scored 30+ in multiple campaigns, six seasons apart.
He scored his 260th goal in the Premier League on his final appearance, with a trademark spot-kick dispatched with Shearer-like emphasis.
Kane looked like the man to break that record for a while, breaching the 200 barrier, but the lure of trophies at Bayern Munich has put his chase for Shearer's legendary status on hold - for now.
Elsewhere, Wayne Rooney finished on 208. Mohamed Salah became the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history, and Thierry Henry scored 175 goals while frequently giving the impression that goalscoring was merely one of his hobbies.
Erling Haaland looks the likeliest contender for the throne, should he remain around long enough. For now, Shearer remains out in front, arms raised, waiting for a challenger.
The Premier League’s all-time top goalscorers
| 1. | Alan Shearer | 260 goals | 441 appearances |
| 2. | Harry Kane | 213 goals | 320 appearances |
| 3. | Wayne Rooney | 208 goals | 491 appearances |
| 4. | Mohamed Salah | 193 goals | 328 appearances |
| 5. | Andy Cole | 187 goals | 414 appearances |
| 6. | Sergio Aguero | 184 goals | 275 appearances |
| 7. | Frank Lampard | 177 goals | 609 appearances |
| 8. | Thierry Henry | 175 goals | 258 appearances |
| 9. | Robbie Fowler | 163 goals | 379 appearances |
| 10. | Jermain Defoe | 162 goals | 496 appearances |