Top of the Stops: EPL's Best Goalkeepers

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.

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.