Scoring a goal is a beautiful thing. But there are different ways to score, and some aren't as beautiful as a 45-yard shot into the top corner. In fact, two types of goals receive more criticism than the rest of the types. They are quite easy identify: penalties and back-post goals, aslo called tap-ins. Scoring a penalty only takes beating a goalkeeper, so it's easy to get why penalties are downplayed so frequently. The criticism for the tap-ins looks disproportionate, but at first glance, it might even seem easier than scoring a penalty, as these goals are often netted while the goalkeeper has already been beaten.
However, there are many ways to score from the back post, and some are more difficult than others. We’ve highlighted two areas in the box to focus on finishes near the posts—both on the left and right sides. Not all of these finishes come from plays than end in side-to-side crosses, but in most of the notable cases, they do. Let's take a look at the players who excel in these situations:
Denzel Dumfries - Inter FC
We must consider that Inzaghi’s Inter plays with wing-backs. In this system, Dumfries, one of the most explosive and powerful wing-backs in Europe, starts from the right flank but plays as a regular attacker. In Serie A, 47% of his touches have taken place inside the opponent's half. The Dutchman joins the attack with ease, effectively using the element of surprise that comes with him arriving from deeper positions—the classic case of not being already there, but appearing.
Dumfries has attempted 12 shots from this designated back-post area. In Serie A, only Roberto Piccoli has more shots from that position. However, when it comes to finishing, there's no comparison. Dumfries has scored four goals arriving at the back post, making him the highest-scoring non-striker from that position.
Ademola Lookman - Atalanta
On the opposite side, we've chosen another Serie A player, but for different reasons. Lookman, a left forward in Atalanta’s three-at-the-back system with high wing-backs, relies on precision and intelligent movement.
Unlike Dumfries, Lookman doesn't shoot as often from that zone, but his efficiency is outstanding: he has scored five goals from six shots. His 0.44 xG per shot from that position ranks as the 5th highest in the top five European leagues among players with at least five attempts from that area. This aligns with his overall season average. Now playing as a forward, the opposite to him being played as an out-an-out winger not so long ago, Lookman averages 0.47 xG per game, ranking 27th in the top five leagues and 6th in Serie A—all while being much more than just a striker for Gasperini.
Scott McTominay - Napoli
McTominay's case deserves a brief mention: with just six shots from the back post, he has generated 3.26 xG. He possess the highest xG per shot ratio in the top five leagues (0.54). While his goals have been crucial for Antonio Conte, McTominay seems to score more easily when shooting from slightly farther out.
Except for his goal against Inter—the only one he scored from the left-side back post—all his other goals have come from shots taken no farther than the penalty spot. Thirty percent of McTominay's touches occur in the final third, while only 17% happen in the defensive third. A goal-scoring midfielder.
Oihan Sancet - Athletic Club
We've already discussed Sancet’s leap in performance at length this season, but his progress remains remarkable. Athletic Club fans have been enjoying his connection with Nico Williams—two of the team’s best players or, at least, the ones with the most potential. Nico Williams has provided eight key passes to Sancet, resulting in three assists—no other combination in the squad has reached three assists.
A great example of this link was his goal against Real Sociedad: Nico delivers a cross to the back post, and Sancet times his jump perfectly to beat Javi López in the air and put Athletic in front. Previously, we highlighted Sancet’s growing ability to capitalize on his runs into the box, which have become less frequent this season but of higher quality.
If we exclude strikers from the list, only Raphinha (10) has taken more shots from this area (but from the other side of the pitch, as he benefits from the inswinger crosses from Yamal) than the Basque midfielder (8). However, no non-striker has scored more back-post goals than Sancet (4).
Chris Wood - Nottingham Forest
In his breakout season under the Premier League spotlight (even though those who know him are aware he's been a top-level scorer for nearly a decade), Chris Wood has decided that almost all his goals will come from the left side of the box—and that he'll outperform expectations. He currently has a +6.9 xG difference.
In his case, there's no need to highlight the zone—it’s clear. The difference between his left and right-sided finishes is significant. He has netted three goals from the right side, none from our highlighted post zone, while scoring 12 from the left. Seven of those have come from the left post area—no player in the top five leagues has scored more from that specific zone.
What’s incredible is that he has needed just nine shots to score seven goals, accumulating 2.92 xG. Wood's season, while maintaining a similar goal tally to previous years, is unusual. But if there’s one goal that defines it, it’s this: Forest’s winger Elanga reaches the byline and cross for the towering Wood to head home at the back post. His lack of agility in making near-post runs can make defending him easier, but his physical presence and the fact that his teammates always know where he’ll be are advantages for the Australian striker.
Brennan Johnson - Tottenham Hotspur
If there’s one player who relies on this type of goal, it’s the Welshman. That said, he's also the best in the Premier League at executing these plays. First, because his team prioritizes them as a main offensive weapon, and second, because Johnson is so fast that he can afford to start slow and still beat defenders to the ball.
Last season, Johnson was the one delivering crosses for others to finish at the back post. This year, he has flipped his role and is now attacking those crosses, which usually come from the left side of Tottenham’s attack. His expected assists (xA) have dropped from 0.24 to 0.07 per game, and his key passes per game have dropped from 1.21 to 0.46. Last season, he provided nine assists—this season, he has already matched that tally in goals.
He ranks 5th in back-post goals and 5th in shot-to-goal efficiency (2.25 shots per goal). Additionally, he is the 9th closest-range shooter in the Premier League, with an average shot distance of 11.7 meters from goal.
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