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Sergio Aguero wins the league in dramatic styleSince its 1992 inception, the Premier League has grown into a global phenomenon and is widely accepted as the most exciting domestic league in world football.Naturally, there have been dozens of fascinating matches over the past two decades or so and weve been blessed with hundreds of memorable moments. But which games provided the most thrilling drama?Here are my top ten picks for the top greatest Premier League matches of all time:
#10 Portsmouth 7-4 Reading: September 29th 2007
What better way to start our list than with the Premier League’s highest scoring game ever.
An early season clash between Portsmouth and Reading hardly stands out as a potential thriller but, after an incredible 90 minutes of end-to-end action, the two sides had surpassed the
It took just seven minutes for Benjani Mwaruwari to fire Pompey into the lead, before doubling their advantage after 37. A routine home win seemed inevitable but was suddenly under threat as Stephen Hunt halved the deficit in the dying embers of an entertaining first-half.
The action was ramped up a gear after the interval, though, as Reading temporarily restored parity as Dave Kitson capitalised on a David James howler, before Herman Hreidersson’s header restored the home side’s advantage. Benjani then completed his first ever Premier League hat-trick before Niko Kranjcar made it 5-2 with just 15 minutes to play.
A frantic final quarter of an hour would see both sides find the target twice more, culminating with a Sol Campbell own goal to produce a phenomenal 7-4 full-time scoreline.
#9 Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool: May 11th 2003
The modern day rivalry between Chelsea and Liverpool really got going with this epic final day climax to the 2002/02 season as Jesper Gronkjaer fired the Blues to Champions League qualification.
Both sides entered the showdown at Stamford Bridge knowing that a win would be rewarded with a top-four finish and that ensured for a nervy but passionate battle fuelled by a mutual determination for victory. When the Reds struck first through Samiu Hyppia’s emphatic 11th-minute header, it appeared as though Gerard Houllier’s men could be set for the ultimate away triumph.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, that lead lasted just over a minute as Marcel Desailly’s nodded the Blues level. Just 10 minutes later, the Chelsea turnaround had been complete as Gronkjaer cut in from the right wing to unleash a terrific curler towards the back post.
Chelsea managed to hold on to their slender advantage for over an hour to seal their place in Europe’s elite competition. At the time, their prize was thought to be worth £20 million, but that victory is attributed as the deciding factor behind Roman Abramovich’s decision to buy the club and has since been touted as the £1 billion goal.
In hindsight, it has to be one of the most significant games in Premier League history. Even without that context, it was still an incredible match.
#8 Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United: May 13th 2007
The entire football world was stunned in August 2006 as West Ham United announced the arrival of Argentine duo Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez in what would become one of the most bizarre transfer sagas in history.
While the former wouldn’t taste success until he made the switch to Liverpool, Tevez would become a Hammers’ hero thanks to his heroic end of season forming, culminating with a memorable winner at Old Trafford on the final day.
Tevez endured a slow start to life at the Boleyn before turning things around during the closing stages. His performances had been the driving force behind West Ham’s resurrection, but they still needed a miracle against the newly crowned champions. Inevitably, it was the No.32 who would provide that moment of magic by nipping in just before half-time to net the game’s only goal to complete a one-man mission to save the club from relegation.
His heroics were then rewarded with a summer switch to Old Trafford, where he would win two league titles and a Champions League winners’ medal before joining arch rivals Manchester City. For all of his success on these shores, though, Tevez will always be best remembered for dragging the Hammers to safety.
#7 West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Portsmouth: May 15th 2005
Sticking with the theme of final day rescue missions, they don’t come any better than West Brom’s miraculous efforts in 2005.
The Baggies were seemingly gone for weeks before the season’s end but a late revival had given Bryan Robson’s men a slight chance of beating the drop in what had been billed as Survival Sunday. Despite holding a mathematical chance, the rock-bottom Baggies would need a miracle to remain in the division. Strange things happen in football.
Goals from Geoff Horsfield and Kieran Richardson meant West Brom had done all they could to hold onto their top-flight status, but they would still need other results to go their way. Incredibly, they did, with Charlton drawing while both Norwich and Southampton lost. The Great Escape had been completed as Robson’s side became the first club to survive in spite of being bottom of the league on Christmas Day.
Those images of Richardson being held aloft by the Baggies supporters remains one of the most iconic in Premier League history.
#6 Norwich City 4-5 Southampton: April 9th 1994
It took 47 minutes for Norwich substitute Mark Robins to break the deadlock in this 19Easter Monday showdown at Carrow Road, but what followed was a roller coaster ride of energy and goals.
Alan Ball’s Saints were back on level terms just before half-time courtesy of an own-goal. That inevitably changed the half-time team talks, but nobody could have anticipated the drama that was to unfold after the interval.
The Canaries quickly opened up a two-goal advantage through goals by Jeremy Gross and Chris Sutton. However, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier reduced the deficit almost immediately as his left-footed strike squirmed past a disappointed Dave Beasant. The same player then converted from the spot to bring the scores level once more.
Within seconds, though, Norwich had gone up the other end as a quick free-kick left Southampton bemused, allowing Sutton to nod the home side back in front with his second. That lead lasted just 10 minutes, however, as Le Tissier completed his hat-trick with a fine header to make it 4-4.
Then, just as a fantastic affair look destined for a draw, the unlikeliest of heroes emerged as, with virtually the last touch of the game, defender Ken Monkou steamed in to meet Le Tissier’s corner to nod Saints to a memorable victory - an extraordinary finish to an equally mesmerising 90 minutes.
#5 Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City: September 20th 2009
For a long time, the Manchester derby didn’t mean much to people outside of the area. However, the injection of cash at City suddenly thrust this rivalry back into the spotlight and this early season showdown in 2009/10 would set the bar for what was to come over the subsequent years.
Wayne Rooney had set the tempo with a second-minute opener before Gareth Barry’s smart finish on the quarter-hour mark confirmed that this was going to be an epic battle. Darren Fletcher’s header restored United’s lead shortly after the break, but City hit back quickly through Craig Bellamy’s stunning dribble and curled finished.
A second Fletcher header put the home side in front for a third time in the match, but Mark Hughes’ men were far from finished. On the stroke of entering stoppage time, Bellamy capitalised on a disastrous piece of defending from Rio Ferdinand to run down the left flank and pull the visitors level once more.
However, the Red Devils were the kings of late winners during the Ferguson era and, in the sixth minute of injury time, Ryan Giggs would provide the perfect pass to slide Michael Owen for a memorable derby winner.
A thrilling climax to a truly wonderful Manchester derby and arguably the greatest example of ‘Fergie time’ at Old Trafford.
#4 Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United: November 25th 2001
The Arsene Wenger v Ferguson rivalry is by far the biggest in Premier League history and we’ve seen plenty of classic battles throughout the years. This war boasts everything from 8-2 hammerings to Arsenal winning the title at Old Trafford. However, this 2001/02 clash has to be regarded as one of the most memorable – if only for the ending.
Paul Scholes had swept the visitors into an early lead and things were going well for the Champions as they entered half-time with that one-goal advantage. However, a cheeky chip Freddie Ljungberg drew Arsenal level shortly after the interval to set up a ferocious second period.
Just as things looked to be destined for a draw, the game descended into madness. Fabian Barthez had been given no chance with the equaliser, but his mistakes in the closing moments allowed compatriot Theirry Henry to capitalise and give the Gunners a crucial victory.
Barthez’s first gift came courtesy of a nonchalant clearance, which landed straight at the feet of a grateful Henry, who was never going to squander such an easy opportunity. Five minutes later, the Arsenal striker chased a seemingly lost cause only to see the Manchester United goalkeeper inexplicably drop a routine catch, presenting the Gunners hero with the easiest of tasks as he confirmed the three points,
The momentum from that triumph would prove vital as Arsenal went on to lift the Premier League crown, ironically sealing the title with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
#3 Newcastle United 5-0 Manchester United: 20th October 1996
One of the most iconic matches in Premier League history has to be Newcastle’s mind-blowing demolition of Manchester United in 1996/97.
Only a few months earlier, Magpies chief Kevin Keegan had uttered his infamous “I’ll love it” rant and the anticipation surrounding this was palpable. However, even the most optimistic Geordie supporter could have never envisaged what was about to unfold.
Newcastle blitzed the champions with goals from Darren Peacock, David Ginola, Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer leaving Sir Alex Ferguson’s side wounded. However, the best was yet to come as defender Philippe Albert embarrassed Peter Schmeichel with a delicate lob to provide a fitting end to a magical night. That fifth goal remains one of the most memorable in Premier League history.
Just one week later, the Red Devils would lose another thrilling encounter as Southampton fired six past them in an incredible 6-3 win at the Dell.
#2 Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle United: April 3rd 1996
If you’re ever in need of watching 90 minutes of pure drama, your best bet is to dig out this classic from the archives. It is the Premier League match that had everything.
It took just two minutes for Liverpool to start the party as Robbie Fowler converted Stan Collymore’s inviting cross, but the visitors were back on level terms just eight minutes later as Les Ferdinand fired a rocket past David James following some great attacking player from Faustino Asprilla.
Newcastle then doubled their delight as David Ginola beat the offside trap to collect a Les Ferdinand through ball on the halfway line, before dribbling and calmly slotting the Geordies into a 2-1 lead.
After half-time Fowler struck a sweet left-footed effort into the bottom corner, celebrating the equaliser by diving straight into the net. The deadlock was broken just two minutes later, though, as Asprilla beat an onrushing James to put Newcastle back in front.
Parity was restored 20 minutes before time as Stan Collymore latched onto a precise Jason McAteer cross. Liverpool’s jubilation then reached euphoria as Collymore fired a venomous injury time winner past a helpless Pavel Srnicek to send Anfield into raptures and leave Keegan slumped over the advertising boards.
Just 11 months later, Liverpool would edge another seven-goal thriller between the two rivals.
#1 Manchester City 3-2 QPR: May 13th 2012
“AGUEROOOO!” It’s a piece of football commentary that even rivals the infamous “they think it’s all over” and it just so happens to provide the perfect soundtrack to what is easily the most mind-blowing end to a Premier League season we’ll ever see.
Manchester City only required a home win against struggling QPR to pip fierce rivals United to the title and end 44 years of heartache. However, the Hoops hadn’t read the script and led 2-1 heading into injury time. With the Red Devils winning at Sunderland, City’s perfect season was on the verge of ending in tragedy.
Cue the most incredible five minutes of Premier League history. An Edin Dzeko header levelled the scores to restore hope and then, in the dying embers, Sergio Aguero latched on to a Mario Balotelli pass to drill a rocket into Paddy Kenny’s net and secure his place in football folklore.
The Etihad erupted into pandemonium as Aguero was mobbed by his teammates and City were crowned champions. The ultimate climax to any Premier League campaign.
If that goal doesn’t give you goosebumps, it’s time to find another sport.
