The all-time leading Northern Irish goalscorers in Premier League history include Iain Dowie, Chris Brunt, Steven Davis, Keith Gillespie and Michael Hughes. This page ranks the top 30 players from Northern Ireland by Premier League goals, covering the competition from its inaugural 1992/93 season to the present day.
Northern Ireland has produced a long line of talented Premier League players, from Iain Dowie’s goalscoring exploits in the early years of the competition to the later contributions of Chris Brunt, Steven Davis, Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley.
All-Time Premier League Top Northern Irish Goalscorers
Here is the current top 30 ranking of Northern Irish footballers by Premier League goals. The figures include goals scored for all Premier League clubs during each player’s career.
| Rank | Player | Premier League Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iain Dowie | 33 |
| 2 | Chris Brunt | 24 |
| 3 | Steven Davis | 17 |
| 4 | Keith Gillespie | 17 |
| 5 | Michael Hughes | 15 |
| 6 | Jim Magilton | 15 |
| 7 | Gareth McAuley | 15 |
| 8 | Jonny Evans | 14 |
| 9 | Steve Lomas | 14 |
| 10 | Stuart Dallas | 9 |
| 11 | Gerry Taggart | 9 |
| 12 | Kingsley Black | 7 |
| 13 | Lawrie Sanchez | 6 |
| 14 | Craig Cathcart | 5 |
| 15 | David Healy | 5 |
| 16 | Aaron Hughes | 5 |
| 17 | Neil Lennon | 5 |
| 18 | Chris Baird | 4 |
| 19 | Damien Johnson | 4 |
| 20 | Ian Nolan | 4 |
| 21 | Martin Paterson | 4 |
| 22 | Mal Donaghy | 3 |
| 23 | Alan McDonald | 3 |
| 24 | Danny Sonner | 3 |
| 25 | Andy Turner | 3 |
| 26 | Nigel Worthington | 3 |
| 27 | Kevin Horlock | 2 |
| 28 | Paul McVeigh | 2 |
| 29 | Oliver Norwood | 2 |
| 30 | Danny Wilson | 2 |
Statistics updated September 2026. Rankings are based on Premier League goals scored by players representing Northern Ireland.
Iain Dowie – Northern Ireland’s All-Time Premier League Top Scorer
Iain Dowie remains the leading Northern Irish goalscorer in Premier League history with 33 goals. The striker played for Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham United during his Premier League career and was one of the division’s most productive Northern Irish forwards during the 1990s.
Dowie was particularly prolific for Crystal Palace, where his goals helped establish him as one of the most recognisable Northern Irish forwards of the early Premier League era.
Chris Brunt – West Bromwich Albion Record Holder
Chris Brunt is second on the all-time Northern Irish Premier League goalscoring list with 24 goals. The left-footed midfielder spent the vast majority of his Premier League career with West Bromwich Albion and made 269 Premier League appearances.
Brunt’s 24 Premier League goals included five direct free-kicks, underlining the importance of his set-piece ability. He became one of West Bromwich Albion’s most experienced Premier League players during his long spell at The Hawthorns.
Steven Davis and Keith Gillespie
Steven Davis and Keith Gillespie are level on 17 Premier League goals. Davis played in the competition for Aston Villa, Fulham and Southampton, while Gillespie represented Manchester United, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City and Sheffield United.
Davis was primarily a midfielder and became one of Northern Ireland’s most capped players. He made 306 Premier League appearances and scored 17 goals during his career in England.
Michael Hughes, Jim Magilton and Gareth McAuley
Michael Hughes, Jim Magilton and Gareth McAuley each scored 15 Premier League goals. Hughes played for West Ham United, Wimbledon and Crystal Palace, while Magilton represented Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday before becoming closely associated with Ipswich Town.
Gareth McAuley was a defender rather than a forward, but his 15 Premier League goals place him alongside Hughes and Magilton. Much of his Premier League career was spent with West Bromwich Albion.
Jonny Evans and Steve Lomas
Jonny Evans and Steve Lomas are next on the list with 14 Premier League goals each. Evans enjoyed a long career with Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City, while Lomas played for Manchester City and West Ham United.
Evans’ total is particularly notable for a centre-back. He made more than 400 Premier League appearances during his career and won three Premier League titles with Manchester United.
Northern Irish Goalscorers with Nine or Fewer Goals
The next group includes several players who made significant contributions during different Premier League eras. Stuart Dallas and Gerry Taggart each scored nine goals, followed by Kingsley Black with seven and Lawrie Sanchez with six.
Craig Cathcart, David Healy, Aaron Hughes and Neil Lennon all scored five Premier League goals. Chris Baird, Damien Johnson, Ian Nolan and Martin Paterson each finished with four.
Danny Wilson Scored Northern Ireland’s First Premier League Goal
Danny Wilson holds a place in Premier League history as the first player to score for Northern Ireland in the competition. He scored for Sheffield Wednesday against Southampton on 22 August 1992, during the opening weeks of the Premier League.
Wilson eventually finished his Premier League career with two goals, putting him level with Kevin Horlock, Paul McVeigh and Oliver Norwood among the players in the current top 30.
Northern Ireland in Premier League History
Northern Irish players have featured in the Premier League since the competition’s first season in 1992/93. Danny Wilson was the first Northern Irish player to score, while Iain Dowie went on to establish the highest individual goals total among players from Northern Ireland.
The list has included players in almost every position, from prolific forwards such as Dowie and David Healy to midfielders including Chris Brunt, Steven Davis and Keith Gillespie and defenders such as Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the all-time top Northern Irish goalscorer in the Premier League?
Iain Dowie is the all-time leading Northern Irish goalscorer in Premier League history with 33 goals.
How many Premier League goals did Chris Brunt score?
Chris Brunt scored 24 Premier League goals during his career, all while playing for West Bromwich Albion.
How many Premier League goals did Steven Davis score?
Steven Davis scored 17 Premier League goals during his spells with Aston Villa, Fulham and Southampton.
How many Premier League goals did Jonny Evans score?
Jonny Evans scored 14 Premier League goals during his career with Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City.
Who scored Northern Ireland’s first Premier League goal?
Danny Wilson scored Northern Ireland’s first Premier League goal for Sheffield Wednesday against Southampton on 22 August 1992.
Related: All-Time Premier League Goalscorers by Nation & Region | Premier League All-Time Top 100 Goalscorers | Premier League Statistics
