Raúl Jiménez has etched his name into Premier League folklore, becoming the competition’s most reliable penalty taker in history after converting his 12th consecutive spot-kick during Fulham’s narrow 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Mexican striker’s latest penalty, taken with characteristic composure under intense pressure at one of English football’s most intimidating venues, moved him ahead of Manchester City legend Yaya Touré in the all-time rankings, according to statistical analysis published on the Premier League’s official website.
The breakdown, titled “Jimenez overtakes Yaya Toure as Premier League’s best-ever penalty-taker,” confirmed that Jiménez now stands alone as “the only player to have taken and converted 12 spot-kicks” without a single miss in the competition’s 33-year history.
Touré, whose ice-cold temperament from 12 yards earned him widespread admiration during his trophy-laden spell at Manchester City, had maintained a perfect record of 11 penalties from 11 attempts. The Ivorian midfielder now drops to second place in the rankings, while former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov holds third position with nine successful conversions from nine attempts.
What distinguishes Jiménez’s achievement is not merely the perfection but the volume. In modern football, where penalty-taking has evolved into a blend of technique, psychology, and theatre, maintaining an unblemished record beyond a handful of attempts has proven extraordinarily difficult.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, one of the league’s most clinical finishers, saw his flawless run end last season after successfully converting 12 consecutive penalties before eventually missing. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo maintained perfection through 10 spot-kicks before his streak concluded. Even Southampton legend Matthew Le Tissier, long regarded as the benchmark for penalty reliability during the 1990s, registered one miss across 26 attempts throughout his career.
Jiménez, by contrast, has shown no vulnerability. His approach eschews the elaborate run-ups and psychological gamesmanship that have become commonplace in contemporary football, favouring instead a straightforward method: identify the target, execute with precision, convert.
The goal arrived during a pulsating encounter at Old Trafford in which Manchester United, under interim management, claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory. Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick extended his perfect start as Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time strike sealed the win over the west London side.
Despite the defeat, Jiménez’s individual milestone offered Fulham a moment of historical significance amid the disappointment. The 33-year-old forward, who joined Fulham in 2022 following a successful spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers, has steadily built his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most dependable penalty takers across multiple seasons.
Penalty-taking remains one of football’s most psychologically demanding skills. The expectation of success, combined with the isolation of the moment and the pressure of high-stakes situations, has undone countless accomplished players. Research into penalty psychology consistently highlights the mental fortitude required to maintain composure when entire matches, seasons, or careers can pivot on a single kick.
Jiménez’s record speaks to a rare combination of technical proficiency and mental resilience. His ability to perform under scrutiny at venues such as Old Trafford—where hostile crowds and unforgiving atmospheres test even the most experienced professionals—underscores the quality that separates elite penalty takers from merely competent ones.
The Mexican international’s achievement also highlights the evolution of penalty-taking in the Premier League era. In the competition’s early years, designated penalty takers were often midfielders or defenders known for composure rather than forwards. Over time, responsibility has increasingly shifted to attackers, whose goal-scoring instincts and confidence in front of goal are deemed advantageous in high-pressure situations.
