The Premier League is one of the most entertaining leagues in the world and is host to a number of sparkling players who can take the league by a storm. A number of impressive strikers have played in the league and there have been a number of records set at high standards. Recently, Leicester City’s forwards Jamie Vardy broke a 12 year old record held by Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United.
Vardy scored in his 11th consecutive Premier League goal when he put one past United ironically and now holds the record for the scoring in the most consecutive Premier League matches in the history of the domestic league. However, many players came close to the record of Van Nistelrooy but could not keep their scoring streak going for so long.
Here is a list of players who came close to breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record before Jamie Vardy did.
1. Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal; 2007-08) – 7:
Adebayor was one of the most prolific goal scorers in the Premier League for a couple of years for Arsenal in the last decade. Adebayor was a player who had all the attributes to become a great striker and also played for the Los Blancos for a year on loan. The Togo International was in great form in the 2007-08 season as he looked un-stoppable in a run when he scored for his club in 7 consecutive appearances. Adebayor, at 31 years of age is a free agent this season and still has it in him to make an impact on many teams.
2. James Beattie (Southampton; 2002-03) – 6
The present Swansea team assistant coach James Beattie was a solid presence in front of goal for Southampton for a number of years. He was tall, quick and had amazing finishing ability and was a beast in front of goal for the Saints in the 8 years he was with the club. Beattie went on a stellar goal scoring streak in the 2002-03 season where he scored in 6 consecutive matches but was not able to keep up his goal scoring form to break Van Nistelrooy’s record. The 6’ 1” striker scored 68 goals in 204 appearances in his career with Southampton.
3. Papiss Cisse (SC Freiburg; 2011-12) – 6
Cisse was a star in Germany for Freiburg where he impressed one and all with his pace and skill in front of goal. He played in different positions for the club and made himself a huge name in Europe. His impressive season for Freiburg where he scored 9 goals in 17 appearances for the club earned him a transfer into the Premier League. Cisse scored 6 of those 9 goals in consecutive matches and came close to Van Nistelrooy’s record when he was in the form of his life.
4. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea; 2002-03) – 6
The Netherlands International had a very bright career as he played for a number of teams all over Europe. His bets times came in a Chelsea shirt as he scored 70 goals in 136 appearances for the club. His best run of form was in the 2002-03 campaign where he stuck in 6 consecutive Premier League matches for the Blues. Hasselbaink was one of the best strikers in Europe in his prime and was a predator in front of goal. The opposition defenses always had a hard time in keeping him quite. The 6ft striker is now the manager of the Burton Albion in England’s domestic football circuit.
5. Michael Owen (Liverpool; 2002-03) – 6
One of the few players to play for Liverpool and Manchester United, Michael Owen is a true legend of English football in every sense of the word. His eye for goal was extra-ordinary and he was a true warrior who gave his all for his club. Owen had a glorious career with the Kop and took them to many successful moments in his career with the club. He scored in 6 consecutive matches in the 2002-03 Premier League season and holds the record for the club. Michael is still one of the most respected players at every club he played and is a player who was a joy to watch.
Scoring goals game after game is not an easy task but players in the Premier League tend to go on fine runs of form where they end up scoring in consecutive matches. However, Vardy is far from breaking the record in Europe but with the form he is in, he should definetely eye for more goals and record.
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