On March 14, 2026, Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman etched his name into the history books as the youngest scorer in Premier League history. It was a strike of so much significance, as it marked his first senior goal for Arsenal while also breaking a record that had stood for over 20 years.
Dowman now leads an elite company of youngsters who have scored in the English top flight at a very young age.
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In light of the foregoing, Sportskeeda takes a look at the 10 youngest players to have ever scored in the Premier League.
#10 Lewis Miley – 17 years, 229 days old
Lewis Miley wrote his name into the annals of the Premier League as one of the youngest players to score in the division when he scored his first professional goal in Newcastle United’s 3-0 thumping of 10-man Fulham at St. James’ Park in December 2023.
At just 17 years and 229 days, Miley opened the scoring for Newcastle with a cool, composed finish, sliding the ball past goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
#9 Federico Macheda – 17 years, 226 days old
During his time at Manchester United, Federico Macheda scored only four Premier League goals. However, his maiden strike against Aston Villa in 2009 earned him a spot among elite Premier League youngsters.
With Manchester United in a title race and the match level at 2-2, a then-17-year-old Macheda emerged as the Red Devils’ knight in shining armour, scoring a 93rd-minute goal to give his side a crucial win.
#8 Andy Turner – 17 years, 166 days old
Andy Turner’s goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Everton during the Premier League’s inaugural season in September 1992 saw him become the youngest scorer in the English top flight at the time.
Aged 17 years, 166 days, Turner held the record for almost five years until it was broken by Michael Owen.
#7 Michael Owen – 17 years, 143 days old
In a bittersweet match, Michael Owen made history after scoring on his debut for Liverpool in 1997. However, it was a game to forget for a young Owen as Liverpool fell to a 2-1 defeat to Wimbledon.
#6 Cesc Fàbregas – 17 years, 113 days old
Cesc Fabregas opened his EPL account in August 2004 in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. However, the strike wasn’t really befitting of a first league goal, as he found the net in fortuitous fashion after Gilberto Silva’s header ricocheted off his knee from close range before crossing the line.
#5 Rio Ngumoha – 16 years, 361 days old
In a true nail-biter at St. James’ Park in August 2025, Rio Ngumoha emerged as Liverpool’s hero, scoring a 3-2 winner in the 100th minute. The teenage sensation came on as a substitute and marked his appearance with a brilliant, first-time finish. The goal saw him become the first 16-year-old since Wayne Rooney to score a Premier League winner.
#4 Wayne Rooney – 16 years, 360 days old
The third all-time leading EPL scorer, Wayne Rooney, announced himself to the world by scoring a stunning winner for Everton against Arsenal in October 2002, ending the Gunners’ long unbeaten run in the process. However, his record was short-lived, as it was broken by James Milner two months later.
#3 James Milner – 16 years, 356 days old
Currently the player with the most Premier League appearances, James Milner scored his first goal for Leeds United during a 2-1 comeback win against Sunderland in December 2002. Now 40, Milner is still plying his trade in the league with Brighton & Hove Albion.
#2 James Vaughan – 16 years, 270 days old
As of April 10, 2005, James Vaughan became the youngest player to score in Premier League history, dethroning Milner. Vaughan found the net for Everton against Crystal Palace and held the record for over two decades until the honour fell to Dowman.
#1 Max Dowman – 16 years, 73 days
Dowman rewrote the Premier League history books of the youngest scorer after sealing a 2-0 win for Arsenal against Everton at the Emirates. The youngster came on as a substitute in the 74th minute but found the net in stoppage time after Arsenal broke on the counter.
Edited by Ezekiel Olamide