Fastest Manchester Derby Goal

I’ve been asked whether Gundogan’s goal in the FA Cup final was the fastest Manchester City goal of all time. Sadly, it’s impossible to prove as we do not have accurate times for the majority of goals scored throughout football history. Often in the past reports would say things like: ‘From the kick-off City rushed forward and scored.’ No time and even when this is said in reports highlights that have been found often show that this was not the case, so it’s impossible to say conclusively.

We know it’s the fastest FA Cup final goal of all time and, at 12 seconds, it’s also the fastest goal in a Manchester derby. Back in 1975 Dennis Tueart netted what was claimed to be the fastest derby goal at 35 seconds. I interviewed him about it a few years ago:

GJ: ‘You played in lots of significant derbies over the years, but there is one, above all others, that we should mention – the November 1975 League Cup tie at Maine Road.‘

DT: ‘I scored the first goal after about 35 seconds and that is the fastest goal in a Manchester derby.  It was a midweek game at Maine Road and I loved night matches, under the floodlights, packed stadium.  Incredible.  The lights meant that the stadium shone out amongst the dark streets – it was the whole focus.

‘We were 1-0 up and played great football.  3-0 up after 36 minutes when I got my second goal after Asa Hartford had got City’s second. Colin Bell was injured and stretchered off which was by far the worst moment of the evening and would impact us for the next few years. 

‘After the game we went to Cellar Vie in the city centre, and I walked in and I got a standing ovation from everyone in there.  Again it hit home how important the derby was to the city of Manchester.’

Now Gundogan holds the record but we should also mention Shaun Goater who in 2003 netted after only 9 seconds of coming on as substitute. You can read about that here:

Today in 2003: Goater’s 9 Second Old Trafford Goal

Gundogan’s goal is the fastest in a derby, while Goater’s goal was the fastest ever netted in a derby from a player’s arrival on the pitch, regardless of stage of the game.

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