With another assist in the Premier League, Mark Flekken made history in the English competition on Thursday evening. The Brentford goalkeeper set up teammate Yoane Wissa to make it 0-2 in the away match against Nottingham Forest, marking the ninth assist by a goalkeeper in the Premier League this season. Never before have goalkeepers contributed so many assists in a single season in the English top flight.
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Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken made Premier League history on Thursday evening during his team’s 2-0 away victory over Nottingham Forest.
With a superbly executed assist for Yoane Wissa’s goal, Flekken became part of a landmark moment in English football. His long ball from a goal kick, delivered in the 70th minute, bypassed Nottingham Forest’s defensive line and caught defender Nikola Milenkovic off guard. As the ball bounced, Milenkovic hesitated, unaware that Wissa had read the play perfectly. The Brentford striker raced in behind, controlled the situation with composure, and lifted the ball neatly over the goalkeeper with a clever chip to make it 2-0.
This assist was not only a significant contribution to Brentford’s victory but also a record-breaking moment in the Premier League. Flekken’s pass marked the ninth assist provided by a goalkeeper in the 2024/25 season, setting a new all-time record for the competition. The previous record stood at eight assists, achieved in both the 1992/93 and 2007/08 seasons. With nearly half of the season still to be played and around forty matches remaining, the likelihood of this record being extended further is high.
Flekken has now registered two assists this season, highlighting his role not just as a shot-stopper but as a key part of Brentford’s build-up play. His ability to distribute the ball with precision from the back has become a powerful weapon in Brentford’s tactical approach, especially given their direct style of play that emphasizes quick transitions and vertical movement. However, Flekken is not alone in contributing to this remarkable trend. Ederson, Manchester City’s Brazilian goalkeeper, has been the standout figure, recording four assists so far this season. Known for his exceptional vision and passing range, Ederson has set a new standard for modern goalkeepers, and his total of seven assists in the Premier League across his career is already the most ever by a keeper.
Ederson’s current tally has surpassed that of Paul Robinson, the former England international who played for Leeds United, Tottenham, Blackburn, and Burnley between 1997 and 2017. Robinson had accumulated five assists throughout his two-decade career, a record that long stood unchallenged until the rise of goalkeepers like Ederson who are comfortable and even dangerous with the ball at their feet. This evolution in the role of the goalkeeper reflects a wider tactical shift in football, particularly in the Premier League, where teams increasingly rely on their goalkeepers to initiate attacks.
Alongside Ederson and Flekken, three other goalkeepers have also contributed to the record-breaking total this season: Bernd Leno of Fulham, Jordan Pickford of Everton, and Bart Verbruggen of Brighton & Hove Albion, each with one assist. This collective contribution from goalkeepers across various teams underlines a broader trend rather than isolated incidents. Teams are now training goalkeepers not just in shot-stopping and command of the penalty area, but also in long passing, quick distribution, and decision-making under pressure.
The assist from Flekken on Thursday night was also the first of the season to come directly from a goal kick, a rarity in football and a testament to the technical and tactical precision involved. That such a moment came in a top-flight match and contributed to a crucial win makes it all the more significant. Brentford’s performance overall was disciplined and effective, and Wissa’s goal was a just reward for their organization and awareness.
As the season progresses, the number of goalkeeper assists could continue to rise, especially with players like Ederson and Flekken in form. The 2024/25 season is fast becoming a turning point in how the role of the goalkeeper is viewed no longer simply the last line of defense, but increasingly, the first spark of attack. Whether through long balls that catch defenses off guard or sharp passes that bypass pressing opponents, goalkeepers are now being judged as complete footballers, and the statistics are beginning to reflect that shift in mindset.
Flekken’s moment of brilliance is not just a personal milestone or a quirky stat it is a reflection of a changing game, one where every player on the pitch, including the one with gloves, has the power to shape the outcome. And with plenty of football still to play, there’s every chance we haven’t seen the last of the goalkeeper assists this season.
