In a harsh and competitive football environment like the Premier League, defenders are often known for their role in protecting the goal and blocking dangerous attacks. However, many defenders have surpassed the usual limits, making their mark with valuable and surprising goals. They are not only the anchors of the defense but also the inspiration in the attack, especially in set pieces. Below are the top 10 top scoring defenders premier league that Bestsoccertips.com shares, please refer to it!
10 top scoring defenders Premier League
Below are the prominent names in the list of 10 defenders with the most goals in the Premier League, who are not only solid in defense but also excellent in creating breakthroughs on the attacking front.
Top 10: Joleon Lescott – 22 Goals
Joleon Lescott was a familiar name on the scoresheet, especially during his peak years at Everton. The 2007-08 season was particularly remarkable, as he scored eight goals—an extraordinary number for a central defender. With strong aerial ability and excellent positional awareness, Lescott frequently posed a serious threat during set pieces, on par with many strikers. For bettors, Lescott was once an ideal pick in markets such as “defender to score” or “anytime goalscorer,” especially in matches where Everton or, later, Manchester City earned multiple set-piece opportunities.
Although his scoring record declined during his time at Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion, Lescott retained a crucial quality: the ability to be in the right place at the right time inside the box. This trait made him a constant wildcard for punters, especially those looking for value in lesser-known or secondary betting markets. With 22 Premier League goals to his name, Lescott was not just a solid defender but also a hidden attacking asset an important consideration for any bettor analyzing a match involving defenders with goal potential.
Top 9: Sami Hyypiä – 22 Goals
Sami Hyypiä scored a total of 22 Premier League goals for Liverpool, a notable achievement given that all of them came from open play or set pieces, with no penalty goals included. Across his 10 seasons at Anfield, the Finnish center-back maintained a consistent form, scoring in every campaign without ever exceeding four goals in a single season. This consistency made him a popular target in betting markets like “defender to score anytime,” particularly in matches featuring numerous corners or free kicks delivered into the box.
While Hyypiä lacked pace or flashy technique, he made up for it with his intelligent movement and aerial prowess in the opponent’s penalty area. He represented the ideal example of a center-back capable of breaking the deadlock from a set piece a valuable angle for bettors seeking high-return side bets. Even though he has since left Brighton and is now pursuing opportunities in management, Hyypiä’s knack for disrupting defences in dead-ball situations remains a key reference for betting analysis, especially in matches where tall defenders are expected to join the attack.
Top 8: Matt Elliott – 22 Goals
Matt Elliott scored 22 Premier League goals, with only two coming from the penalty spot. The rest were mostly from set pieces, where he had a reputation for being extremely effective. One of his career highlights was scoring twice in the 2000 League Cup Final, but in the Premier League, he embodied the classic Leicester City centre-back under Martin O’Neill—strong, decisive, and a constant source of chaos in the opponent’s box during corners and free kicks. For bettors, Elliott was a valuable name to watch in niche markets such as “headed goalscorer” or “defender to score anytime,” especially in matches where Leicester had a high volume of set plays.
Elliott’s main strength was his ability to find space early and position himself for a powerful aerial finish. If he found any gap in the box, it was extremely difficult to stop him from connecting with the ball. That made him a golden opportunity for punters who looked for value in long-odds scorer markets. After retiring, Elliott transitioned into coaching and worked with Leicester’s academy, passing on his expertise from the years when he was a genuine set-piece threat—a legacy still relevant for today’s betting enthusiasts.
Top 7: Dan Petrescu – 23 Goals
Dan Petrescu was the first right-back to feature among the Premier League’s top-scoring defenders, and his style was more about finesse than brute strength. As a modern full-back ahead of his time especially popular in the 1990s Petrescu regularly pushed forward and exploited space on the wings to join attacks. Nearly three-quarters of his goals came in a Chelsea shirt, where he showcased his knack for positioning and clinical finishing, often resembling an attacking midfielder. For bettors, Petrescu was a tempting option in “defender to score” markets, particularly in matches where Chelsea dominated possession and generated frequent wide-play opportunities.
Beyond his ability to break into the box, Petrescu also capitalized on open-play combinations rather than relying solely on dead-ball situations. This made him a particularly appealing choice for punters searching for surprise goalscorers from deeper positions. After retiring, he moved into coaching, most recently managing Al-Arabi in Qatar. While currently awaiting his next challenge in management, Petrescu remains a prime example of an attacking full-back capable of influencing betting outcomes both on the pitch and in side markets.
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Top 6: Julian Dicks – 24 Goals
Julian Dicks stood out for his exceptionally powerful left-footed shots, especially in set-piece scenarios. He didn’t rely on finesse to make an impact just a small opening was enough for him to unleash a thunderous strike. Dicks scored many goals from the penalty spot and never missed during the Premier League era, making him a strong candidate for betting markets like “goalscorer from penalty” or “defender to score.” If we include his five goals from before the Premier League era, his scoring record becomes even more impressive.
Not only was Dicks a physically dominant left-back, but he also excelled under pressure an important quality for punters wagering on key moments within a match. Every time West Ham were awarded a penalty, Dicks represented a golden opportunity in markets with high odds. After retiring, he continued sharing his knowledge by coaching the West Ham women’s team, but his legacy as a set-piece specialist remains a valuable lesson for bettors looking for under-the-radar options beyond the front line.
Top 5: William Gallas – 25 Goals
William Gallas may not be the first name that comes to mind for most bettors when thinking about goal-scoring defenders, but in reality, he played a crucial role in the opposition’s penalty area, especially during his time at Chelsea and Arsenal. Despite often being underrated due to some controversial off-the-pitch incidents, Gallas possessed excellent positional awareness and the ability to read the game effectively qualities that are highly valuable for defenders frequently involved in set-piece situations. His goals, including a memorable match-winner against his former club at the Emirates Stadium, became decisive highlights in big matches. These were precisely the kind of games where betting markets like “defender to score” offered high odds and could yield significant returns if selected at the right moment.
Gallas was not the type of defender who constantly pushed forward throughout a match, but he had a knack for appearing in the right place during dead-ball situations, particularly corners and indirect free kicks. For sports bettors especially those who favor niche markets or enjoy wagering on surprise goal scorers—Gallas represented a valuable option in matches with a high volume of set pieces. Although he retired rather quietly last year, his attacking influence remains a clear example of the hidden value that a goal-scoring center-back can bring in sports betting.
Top 4: Leighton Baines – 26 Goals
Leighton Baines was a complete left-back solid defensively and incredibly dangerous when moving forward into attack. With a technically gifted and highly accurate left foot, Baines scored the majority of his goals from penalty kicks, but he also possessed a free-kick ability that was comparable to specialists like Ian Harte. His curling efforts over the wall, such as his goal against Tottenham in 2010, serve as prime examples of his skill. In betting markets such as “score from a set piece” or “defender to score at any time,” Baines was consistently a player who could deliver high returns due to his reliability and precision in dead-ball scenarios.
Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Baines stood out for his playmaking contributions from the left flank. In January 2015, he became the defender with the most assists in Premier League history a statistic of particular importance to those placing bets in markets like “player to assist” or betting based on in-play events. As a player who regularly pushed forward and took charge of most set pieces, Baines offered valuable betting opportunities in both main and side markets, especially in matches where Everton adopted an attacking approach or were likely to win free kicks near the penalty area.
Top 3: Ian Harte – 28 Goals
Ian Harte scored a total of 28 goals in the Premier League, with an impressive 10 of those coming from the penalty spot a remarkable achievement for a full-back. Known for his powerful left foot, Harte earned a reputation for his direct free-kick technique, which combined intense spin and striking power. At the height of his career, he was one of the league’s leading set-piece specialists. Because of this, Harte frequently emerged as an appealing option in betting markets such as “player to score from a free-kick” or “anytime goal scorer.”
His value in betting did not rely solely on his dead-ball ability. Harte was also known for pushing forward into attacking positions, often attempting shots from long distance with either foot when the opportunity arose. This created unexpected scenarios that opposing defenders found hard to anticipate. For bettors, Harte was the kind of player ideally suited to capitalize on in side markets where a single long-range strike or set-piece opportunity could result in a sizable payout if the bet was placed under the right match conditions.
Top 2: David Unsworth – 38 Goals
David Unsworth, a former defender who played for clubs such as Everton and West Ham United, was not recognized for his pace or agility, but he had a powerful weapon that set him apart an incredibly strong left foot that made him a threat in front of goal. With a total of 38 goals in the Premier League, including 22 from penalty kicks, Unsworth proved that defenders could do far more than just defend. He was often entrusted with penalty duties, a significant advantage for bettors considering unconventional choices in markets like “anytime goal scorer” or “score from the penalty spot.” His combination of striking power and composure made him a dependable option when stepping up to take spot kicks.
In addition to scoring from set pieces, Unsworth also contributed in open play by joining the attack from his left-back position. This added another layer of potential in betting, especially in matches where he was in the starting lineup and the likelihood of Everton or West Ham earning a penalty was relatively high. In an era where attacking full-backs and center-backs have become increasingly influential, Unsworth alongside John Terry stood out as a prime example of defenders who could make a substantial impact on the scoreboard. Today, even though he has moved into coaching and currently leads Everton’s U-21 team, his goal-scoring legacy remains a valuable lesson for bettors seeking to identify non-traditional scoring threats.
Top 1: John Terry – 39 Goals
In Premier League history, John Terry is not only remembered as one of the league’s greatest defenders but also as one of its highest-scoring defenders. What made Terry stand out was his exceptional ability to position himself and time his movements with precision during set-piece situations an aspect that sports bettors closely examine when placing wagers in markets like “surprise goal scorer” or “defender to score.” With a striker-like spatial awareness, Terry consistently exploited small gaps in the opposition’s penalty area to unleash dangerous headers from corners and free kicks. Although he was not a professional striker, his aerial threat was a constant menace.
What’s particularly notable about Terry’s goals is that they never relied on flashy moves or complex techniques. Instead, he simplified every scenario: moved at the right time, positioned himself effectively, and used his physical dominance to deliver clinical finishes. He is precisely the kind of defender that bettors should keep an eye on, especially in games featuring frequent set pieces or where his team was actively pushing forward in search of goals from dead-ball situations. In side betting markets such as “defender to score” or “anytime goal scorer,” selecting a name like Terry even as a center-back could result in unexpected profits, provided the bettor properly analyzed the match context and the tactical setup.
Conclusion
The goalscoring record of the defenders in this list of top 10 top scoring defenders premier league is a testament to the development of modern football, where every position on the pitch can create breakthroughs. These players have surpassed the limits of a traditional defender to become key factors in both defense and attack. Not only contributing to the overall success of the team, they also left a strong mark in the history of the most prestigious tournament in England.
