Nigerian defender, Leon Balogun opened his Brighton & Hove account on Tuesday night as they claimed a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in a Premier League match at the American Express Community Stadium.
A red card at the half hour mark was shown to Shane Duffy for a headbutt on Patrick van Aanholt, forcing the Seagulls manager to bring on Balogun to bolster his defense.
And with his first touch of the ball, the Brighton & Hove number 14 smashed home low from a set-piece to double the home team’s lead 25 seconds after he came off the bench.
The Nigerian International’s goal is the second fastest goal scored by a substitute this season, behind Daniel Sturridge who found the net 24 seconds after his introduction against West Ham on the opening round of the season.
The quickest goal by a substitute in Premier League history was scored by former Nigeria U20 international Sammy Ameobi who found the net eight seconds after his introduction in Newcastle United’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in October 2014.
Balogun also did not come close to YakubuAiyegbeni who got on the scoresheet for Everton 18 seconds after his introduction as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers in the 2009-10 season, assisted by Victor Anichebe.
