Stoppage-time goals confirm this is the season of late drama

There has never been a season for late drama such as this one in the Premier League, and the three goals in stoppage time of each of Saturday’s three 15:00 matches confirmed that as a record was set for late goals in the competition. 

Three goals were scored in the 90th minute or later in the matches.

Enes Unal struck AFC Bournemouth’s equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time against Sheffield United. Cauley Woodrow did similar for Luton Town at Crystal Palace in the sixth minute of time added on, while Alex Iwobi struck eight minutes after the 90 as a late consolation for Fulham at Wolverhampton Wanderers in their 2-1 defeat. 

These goals took the total number scored in the final minute of normal time or later in the 2023/24 Premier League to 87, two more than the previous high of 85, which was set in two campaigns: 2018/19 and 2021/22.

Of course, the longer match times this season have played a role in this, as match officials have clamped down on time-wasting. 

After the Saturday 15:00 matches, Premier League fixtures have averaged 101 minutes and 39 seconds in length, the highest since such data was measured. 

This is at least four minutes more than the four other seasons that recorded the highest number of late goals. 

But the record total of 87 has come from only 273 matches played, more than 100 fewer than the complete 380-match seasons.

Most goals in 90min or later in a season