Once again Liverpool top a Spreadex study, with the club producing the single fastest scoring team in Premier League history. But rather than this season’s champions-elect, or 2018/19’s unlucky runners-up, the table-toppers come from the pre-Klopp era.

That’s right, Brendan Rodgers’ 2013/14 side – that of Gerrard slip infamy – were quickest off the mark, with their first goal coming after an average of 27.13 minutes a game thanks to the electric combo of Luiz Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

That’s ahead of any of Man City’s title-winning teams. City are, however, the most well-represented club in the top 10, with 3 appearances. They are also the only club to feature in both the top 10 fastest AND slowest teams in Premier League history.

Spreadex calculated these stats by averaging the time of the 1st goal scored in every match for each club, penalising a team for not scoring by classing that as a 90th minute ‘goal’.

Another near-constant of our Spreadex studies – much to the chagrin of Gunners’ fans – is the absence of Arsenal’s Invincibles. Instead their 2001/02 and 2002/03 sides both make the cut.

So let's get into it - who makes up the rest of the top 10? Or, alternatively, check out the top 10 slowest scoring teams in Premier League history!

1. Liverpool 2013/14 – 27.13 minutes
With 52 league goals between them, Suarez and Sturridge were terrorizing backlines in 2013/14. And in more than a quarter of their games that season, the club managed to score a goal within 6 minutes of kick-off, leading to an average 1st goal time of 27.13 minutes.

2. Manchester City 2018/19 – 28.03 minutes
The defending champions at the time of writing, Man City managed an average 1st goal time of 28.03 minutes. Sergio Aguero really brought that number down, especially his back-to-back 1st minute goals against Newcastle and Arsenal.

3. Manchester City 2013/14 – 31.00 minutes
City’s last title win of the pre-Guardiola era, the 2013/14 champions managed an average 1st goal within 31 minutes of kick-off. Interestingly, though Yaya Toure was the club’s top scorer in the league that season, only 4 of his 20 goals came before that 31 minute average.

4. Arsenal 2002/03 – 31.37 minutes
Following Liverpool’s 2013/14 table-toppers, Arsenal’s 2002/03 runners-up – one season before the Invincibles – are the highest team on this list not to win the title, with an average 1st goal time of 31.37 minutes.

5. Manchester United 2012/13 – 31.53 minutes
Far from the ‘best’ Man United side in Premier League history, Fergie’s 2012/13 – his final season in charge – are shockingly the club’s sole entry on this list, with a 1st goal average of 31.53 minutes.

6. Manchester City 2017/18 – 34.24 minutes
City’s third and final appearance in the top 10, Pep Guardiola’s inaugural title-winners from 2017/18 managed a 1st goal in an average of 34.24 minutes per game.

7. Chelsea 2009/10 – 34.37 minutes
During the Blues’ one and only title win under Carlo Ancelotti they managed to score their 1st goal in 34.37 minutes per game.

8. Arsenal 2001/02 – 34.63 minutes
Another non-Invincibles Arsenal side, the 2001/02 Double winners scored their 1st league goal in an average of 34.63 minutes.

9. Chelsea 2016/17 – 35.08 minutes
Champions under Antonio Conte, Chelsea’s 2016/17 side managed their 1st match goal in an average of 35.08 minutes.

10. Blackburn 1994/95 – 35.12 minutes
The sole side from the 90s era of Premier League football, Blackburn’s Alan Shearer-led 1994/95 champions slip into 10th place, with a 1st match goal average of 35.12 minutes.

Dig into the details with our infographic below: