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Records are meant to be broken. In the Premier League, where crazy things happen every game-week, it applies even more. One can try to make a montage of all the bizarre incidents that have taken place in the English top flight, and it would certainly be a few hours long. However, even the Premier League has witnessed some unbelievable records.
While it would take some doing to break Alan Shearer's 260 goals tally, Ryan Giggs' 162 assists and Petr Cech's 159* clean sheets, these are all based on performances over their careers, and we could always expect some inspired individual to go on and break them.
However, the following list of records are special in their own right, and some of them rather unusual. Grit and determination isn't what's behind these records. Perhaps, it is that one bit of madness that makes the Premier League so enjoyable. And unpredictable, for that matter.
These records are so incredible, that it would take more than some doing to break them. If we are being honest, they might never be broken at all:
#5 Quickest Red card - Steven Gerrard
We all know this one. Steven Gerrard is known for a lot of great things he has done for Liverpool, but there are a number of them he wouldn't be too proud of - including this one. It was the start of the second half of the Liverpool-Manchester United derby when manager Brendan Rodgers decided to bring on Gerrard for the remainder of the match. Liverpool were trailing 0-1 and were in search of some inspiration. Gerrard entered the pitch amidst great applause from the KOP, but a minute later, he wasn't on the pitch anymore.
Under 38 seconds, he had managed to lunge wildly into Ander Herrera, taking the Spaniard down, and referee Martin Atkinson sent him off. Madness.
Gerrard did later explain what occurred to him:
The emotions got the better of me on the day, I was just full of anger.
#4 Longest Goal - Asmir Begovic
This isn't just the longest (longest distance between the goal and the scorer) goal in Premier League history. It is the longest among all goals ever recorded. You can just tell it's going to be tough to beat this one.
This was a fluke effort from Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic (currently at Bournemouth). In the match between Stoke City and Southampton on the 11th of November, 2013, with only 13 seconds on the clock, Begovic casually served a long kick downtown with plenty of power.
The ball bounced on the edge of the opposition penalty box, rose to an unusual height, and looped over Southampton's keeper Artur Boruc. It covered a great distance of 91.9 meters. The home fans were delirious, hardly believing how easily they had broken the deadlock. Sadly, they only drew 1-1.
#3 Most Appearances - Gareth Barry
How many players play 653* league games in their career, let alone in the Premier League? Gareth Barry might not have won too many titles, but he can be proud of his longevity, alongside the Premier League title he won with Manchester City.
When he was eventually released by the Citizens in 2013, people wondered if it might be the start of the slump for Barry. Instead, he had one of the best seasons of his life at Everton. He wouldn't go down so easily.
Why wouldn't this record be broken? Well, most players don't play for over 20 years at the top level anymore. Moreover, few players these days are as injury resistant as Barry was throughout his career.
Then there is the added factor of excessive monetary funds made available to Premier League clubs nowadays that allow them to invest in an experienced player rather than giving a breakthrough to a 17-year-old lad.
#2 Most Matches Managed - Arsene Wenger
It is not easy to beat Sir Alex Ferguson's enviable records, let alone one that concerns his longevity. While none can match the glory the Scot enjoyed during his time with Manchester United, Arsene Wenger created a monumental record when he eclipsed Ferguson in terms of Premier League games managed.
Wenger took charge of Arsenal in their match against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on New Year's Eve, 2017. It was his 811th Premier League game, one more than Ferguson's 810, which (interestingly), was at the Hawthorns too.
Wenger will end the season with 828, and will officially end his memorable association with Arsenal. One that changed the Premier League and proved that it is indeed possible to go an entire season unbeaten.
#1 Fastest Hat-Trick - Sadio Mane
On the 16th of May, 2015, Southampton piled on the misery for a hapless Aston Villa, who slumped to a 6-1 defeat on the day. Half of Southampton's goals, which happened to be the first three, were scored by a red-hot Sadio Mane. Inside 2 minutes and 56 seconds and broke Robbie Fowler's record in the process.
Shane Long added two more to make it 5-0, before Christian Benteke scored a consolation to make it 5-1. All in the first half. The second was rather forgettable to all, except for Graziano Pelle who made it 6 for the Saints. Imagine Southampton scoring six goals in a game now.
