Fulham's Raul Jimenez has carved his name into Premier League folklore, establishing a new benchmark for penalty perfection during Sunday's thrilling encounter with Manchester United. The Mexican international's late spot-kick in the 3-2 defeat at Craven Cottage marked his 12th consecutive successful penalty in the competition, breaking the previous record held by Yaya Toure.
A Flawless Record From Twelve Yards
Jimenez's remarkable achievement sees him become the first player in Premier League history to score 12 penalties without a single miss. His unerring accuracy from the spot has become a defining characteristic of his career in English football, demonstrating remarkable composure under the intense pressure of Premier League football.
Journey to Perfection
The striker's perfect penalty record began during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers, with his first successful conversion coming in a 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in November 2018. From that moment, Jimenez established himself as one of the league's most reliable penalty takers, consistently delivering crucial goals from 12 yards.
Even after suffering a serious skull fracture that threatened his career, Jimenez maintained his impeccable record upon returning to action. He demonstrated remarkable resilience by converting another penalty against Southampton in a 3-1 victory for Wolves, proving his mental fortitude matched his technical ability.
Continuing Excellence at Fulham
Following his move to Fulham, Jimenez has continued his clinical form from the penalty spot. His first league penalty for the Cottagers against Nottingham Forest was particularly significant, marking his 50th Premier League goal. This milestone moment showcased how integral his penalty expertise has been to his overall goal contribution in England's top flight.
Further spot-kick successes against Ipswich Town saw Jimenez become Mexico's highest-scoring Premier League player, now with 65 goals to his name. Another penalty against Forest allowed him to draw level with Yaya Toure's record of 11 perfect conversions, setting the stage for Sunday's historic moment against Manchester United.
Historical Context and Elite Company
Yaya Toure previously held the Premier League record, converting all 11 of his penalties for Manchester City between 2013 and 2017. Jimenez and Toure now stand alone as the only players with perfect double-digit penalty records in the competition's history.
Dimitar Berbatov comes closest to this elite group with nine successful penalties from nine attempts, while Chelsea's Cole Palmer once boasted a 12-from-12 record before his 13th attempt was saved. The legendary Matt Le Tissier converted 25 of his 26 Premier League penalties, including his final 23 attempts, while Alan Shearer holds the record for most penalties scored (56) but also shares the unwanted distinction of most misses (11) with Wayne Rooney.
Remarkable Career Statistics
Jimenez's Premier League perfection becomes even more impressive when considering his overall penalty record. From 45 career penalty attempts across all competitions, the Mexican striker has missed just twice - both occurring outside Premier League play. His only failures came in the Europa League for Wolves in 2020 and for the Mexican national team in 2018.
This exceptional consistency places Jimenez among the most reliable penalty specialists the Premier League has ever seen. His ability to maintain perfect technique and composure through injuries, club changes, and high-pressure situations represents a remarkable achievement in modern football.
As the Premier League continues to evolve with increasing pressure and scrutiny on every moment, Jimenez's record stands as testament to extraordinary skill and mental strength. His achievement against Manchester United not only secures his place in the history books but also establishes a new standard of excellence for future penalty takers to aspire towards.
