Strike partners have always been an important part of the English game and this week we celebrate ten of the best duos to grace the Premiership.

10. Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand (Newcastle) – Overall 28/ 21

97/98 – 28 and 21 = 49 goals

(In all competitions- applies to all)

Unfortunately, Shearer and Ferdinand only played with each other for one season but in that short amount of time they clicked. With a total of 49 goals in one season just imagine what they could have done in 98/99.

9. Jurgen Klinsmann and Teddy Sheringham (Spurs) – Overall 29/ 23

94/95 – 29 and 23 = 52 goals

Again, two great players who only had the pleasure of one season together. Who knew a German powerhouse and a footballing genius would combine to such devastating effect? Klinsmann returned in 1998 on a season long loan, but unfortunately for Spurs Teddy had ventured north to Manchester.

8. Michael Owen and Emile Heskey (Liverpool) – Overall 73 / 32

01/02 – 26 and 11 = 37 goals,

02/03 – 28 and 9   = 37 goals

03/04 – 19 and 12 = 31 goals

Ok, Owen was the star of the show at Liverpool, but sometimes it goes un-noticed how vital Heskey was as support striker. The little man owes a lot to the big man for his ability to hold up the ball and bring his team mates into play – it was a perfect combination of power complementing pace. They have also proved to be the most effective partnership England have had in recent years.

7. Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore (Liverpool) – Overall 65 / 35

95/96 – 34 and 19 = 53 goals

96/97 – 31 and 16 = 47 goals

In1995 Robbie was at the height of his football career while Collymore (a new signing for Nottingham Forest) looked like a player destined for greatness. These two where great on paper and delivered to devastating effect…unfortunately, for Liverpool fans, only for two seasons.

6. Nial Quinn and Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) – Overall 35 / 55

99/00 – 14 and 30 – 44 goals.

98/99 – 21 and 25 – 46 goals

After ripping up the first division (now the Championship) during the 1997-1998 season Quinn and Phillips where now ready to show their stuff at the top level (with Sunderland!!!). Did they succeed? – They sure did.

5. Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) – Overall 51 / 57

00/01 – 13 and 26 = 39 goals

01/02 – 23 and 29  = 52 goals

02/03 – 10 and 15 = 25 goals

03/04 – 18 and 13  = 31 goals

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was brought to Chelsea to partner Zola in an all star blues attack. However, Eidur, a player brought in as cover, thought differently. They developed a natural goal scoring partnership, peaking in the 2001-2002 season, accumulating an impressive 53 goals.

4. Andrew Cole and Peter Beardsley (Newcastle) – Overall 56 / 38

93/94 – 41 and 24 = 65 goals

94/95 – 15 and 15 = 30 goals

The Cole/ Beardsley partnership of 93/94 still holds the premiership record for the most deadly partnership with a breathtaking 65 goals. However, they could not repeat the feat the following season, as Beardsley aged and speculation regarding Cole’s future grew.

3. Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke (Manchester United) – Overall 46 / 51

98/99 – 24 and 29 = 53 goals

99/00 – 22 and 22 = 44 goals

These two were perhaps the greatest example of a striking pair. They were completely in sync knowing exactly how to play to each others strengths. The deadly duo where an integral part of Manchester United’s treble winning season with a return of 53 goals in all competitions…outstanding.

2. Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton (Blackburn) – Overall 73 / 22

94/95 – 37 and 21 = 58 goals

95/96 – 36 and 1 = 37 goals

Goal machine is the only word to describe this pair and yes – the ‘key’ reason for Blackburn winning the Premiership Title in 1995.  Sutton’s prolific striking partnership with Alan Shearer was dubbed the “SAS”, an acronym for “Sutton and Shearer” and the elite British special forces unit the SAS. – You can’t argue with that, although it’s a shame they didn’t last longer as a duo.

1. Thierry Henry + Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) – Overall 179 / 40

00/01 – 19 and 4 = 23 goals

01/02 – 30 and 13 = 43 goals

02/03 – 28 and 7 = 35 goals

03/04 – 39 and 5 = 34 goals

04/05 – 30 and 8  = 38 goals

05/06 – 33 and 3 = 36 goals

It is a little controversial putting this pair at the top because it’s questionable whether they were a duo or a quintuplet – aided by Ljungberg and Pires. Either way Henry racked up the goals for Arsenal, while Bergkamp picked out the killer ball to start the attacks. When they played together they were the perfect combination of pace and pin-point finishing fused with world-class skill and intelligence – this could only equal  ‘Genius’.

Most prolific during the 01/02 season when Arsenal achieved the double, the two were also centre stage during the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ era. A truly fantastic partnership.

Have we missed anyone? – If so have your say!

Related posts:

1. Top Ten of the Week – Premiership Foreign Imports.
2. Danielle Lloyd – where will she strike next?
3. Top 10 of the week – Top 10 A-Lister fans!
4. Top 10 of the week – Bad football adverts
5. 11 Premiership players to look out for next season.

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