Since its inception in 1992, the EPL has seen its share of memorable goalkeepers—for reasons both good and bad.
We've seen even the best keepers make howlers on occasion, and we've seen the worst keepers make mistakes in what seemed like every match.
From Peter Enckelman's miscontrol on a throw-in in the Birmingham-Villa derby to Massimo Taibi's weekly circus act, the "dodgy keeper" never fails to provide entertainment—except when he's on your team, of course.
But which goalkeepers have set the standard with solid, match-winning performances week-in, week-out?
From expensive imports to homegrown stoppers, we've seen many top-drawer keepers take centre stage in the past 15 years. Here's my take on the best of the best...
10. Fabian Barthez
Love him or hate him, Barthez was undoubtedly a brilliant keeper who was prone to moments of madness. Reminiscent of Bruce Grobbelaar in his pomp, Barthez was responsible for moments of match-winning brilliance and Cup-run-ending lunacy.
9. Edwin van der Sar
Consistent and capable, van der Sar has graced the Premiership for the past seven seasons, first at Fulham and now at Manchester United.
Holland's No. 1 keeper is an imposing presence who's hard to beat in one-on-ones. He also commands his box well.
8. Neville Southall
Southall was entering the final stages of his career when the Premiership began, but still managed the first three or four seasons as No. 1 at Everton.
Massively built but with surprising agility, the surly Welshman was renowned for making superb reflex stops and dominating his penalty area.
- B/R Ticket Guide
7. Nigel Martyn
David Seaman's understudy at the international level, Martyn kept goal in the Premier League for Crystal Palace and Everton—but was most renowned for his spell at Leeds United.
His six years as first choice at Elland Road saw Martyn establish himself as a fearsome competitor, a great shot-stopper, and the focal point for many of Leeds' attacks.
6. Tim Flowers
England, Southampton, and Blackburn reaped the benefits of having Tim Flowers as their keeper.
Flowers was so utterly dependable and consistent that I can only remember him being embarrassed once—on a weak Stan Collymore shot that hit a divot and bounced over his shoulder as he bent to collect it.
Once described his best moment in football as saving an Alan Shearer penalty.
5. Brad Friedel
After a less-than-successful spell at Liverpool, Brad Friedel has established himself at Blackburn as the EPL's best North American import.
Capable of making brilliant stops and launching quick attacks, Friedel controls his defence superbly—and even has the honour of being a scorer in the Premiership after his goal versus Charlton.
4. Pepe Reina
Reina arrived at Liverpool in summer of 2005 and has since set about to break all the records. He went on a run of 11 games without conceding in his debut season, and kept more clean sheets in his first 50 league games than any goalkeeper in Liverpool's history.
Reina saved vital penalties in the 2006 FA Cup Final and 2007 Champions League semifinals. He's another keeper who marshals his defence superbly, and is as safe and assured as they come.
3. Petr Cech
In my opinion the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment—by a hair over Reina.
Tall, athletic, and with great agility, Cech is an extremely difficult keeper to beat. Chelsea's No. 1 stopper has great handling skills and is capable of reaching shots that look destined for the corner of the goal.
2. David Seaman
England and Arsenal No. 1 for years, Seaman in his prime was a true legend of the game. He had great reflexes and very sure hands, and his distribution was of the highest order.
Maybe went on a couple of years too long—but it was only because teams depended on him so much.
1. Peter Schmeichel
The best of the best.
Imposing, fearless, and absolutely huge, Schmeichel at times seemed to make more match-winning saves than Man United's forwards scored goals. Excellent distribution added to his game, but it was the Great Dane's organisation of his defence and his hatred of anyone scoring on him that made him so good.
Best of the Rest
Jussi Jaaskelainen, current Bolton keeper, is one of the most consistent around—he's missed just six league games in the past seven seasons.
Shaka Hislop played at Newcastle and West Ham, where he produced his best form. Later appeared as a veteran at Portsmouth.
Carlo Cudicini came from the Milan bench to play as Chelsea's first choice for four seasons, but loss of form and Cech's arrival has put him back as No. 2.
Steve Ogrizovic spent six years as first-choice keeper for Coventry in EPL play and was a stalwart figure for them for many years beforehand.
Ludek Miklosko was West Ham's goalkeeper for five Premiership seasons and was a steady presence behind a leaky defence.
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about 1 year ago
How could you miss out the veteran of Newcastle, Shay Given? He has had some good times too...and i'm also surprised not to see the eccentric David James. Neways, a nice outline.
about 1 year ago
i reaaaaaaally dont rate david james as one of the best ten keepers the prem has seen! given is a good good keeper yeah but still not as good as any of those above (in my opinion of course!)
from about 1 year ago
you consider Jaaskaleinen worthy of a mention than James? james have been terrific in his early Liverpool days. But Jussy has never matched James' consistency by any means...okay Givn may not be among the bests..but i defy about James' exclusion (though i cant stand that guy!)
from about 1 year ago
yeah i do. james is a great shot stopper and always has been. but he is not a good goalkeeper. its not just about saving shots which makes keepers the best, and james has never been able to dominate his area or organise his defence or come off his line convincingly, not at villa, liverpool or even watford as a kid.
jaaskelainen on the other hand has been one of the best over the last few years at commanding his area, and do u think someone like allardyce wouldve kept him if he didnt organise the defence? jussi never stops talking to the players in front of him, as well as being a very good shot stopper.
from about 1 year ago
So does James...we or rather i have seen him doing that in his Leeds and Portdmouth days..and still he's doing now..look where Portsmouth is!! THey had a fantastic last season too...yeah Bolton did qualify for two seasons or so for the UEFA Cup spots, but if i m not wrong, Liverpool achieved the same feat but for a bigger competition, i.e. the Champions League for a couple of occasions when James was there.
Now, i have the name of Jens Lehmann popping up in my mind. They had the highest no of clean sheets on the season where they had an unbeaten streak of 49 matches (2004). THough his form dipped recently, i must say that he's far superior than Jussy in all departments
about 1 year ago
I believe Given to be amongst the best......Was nice hearing some old names again tho
about 1 year ago
Gotta say I think Shay Given would be in the top five personally - he has single handedly kept Newcastle in many, many games over the last ten years.
Schmeichel was undoubtedly number one though - good article.
about 1 year ago
So here's a big question: what do you think of the future for Schmeichel the Younger? I believe that great keepers get better with age, and if that's the case, then he has such a great future ahead of him, that it's almost hard to imagine him not being on an eventual Top 10 list.
If Kasper were to one day join his father atop this list, that sure would put pressure on the grandson/son to take up the family's profession!
about 1 year ago
Petr Cech is clearly the best in the world currently in my eyes as well. He makes some saves look so easy. Good article Karl.
about 1 year ago
WHERE THE HELL IS LEHMAN? lol :)
from about 1 year ago
on the bench ;)
about 1 year ago
barthez was absolutely awful, they said schmeichel gained united 10-15 points a season on his own, well barthez cost them at least that number every year he was there. Van Der Sar too is massively overrated, lets in far too many tame shots. apart from that the top 8 is pretty much spot on
from about 1 year ago
Van der Saar is massively overrated? Do you understand what goalkeeping is dude?
Somebody please tell him who Van der Saar really is...
10 days ago
why Bruce Grobbelaar is not on the list? hmmm... maybe this dude is a Man Utd supporter. hehehe...
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