Highlighted Points:
- Premier League, home to historic football matches with intense competition.
- A list of the top 12 matches features incredible comebacks and thrilling moments.
- These matches exemplify the excitement that makes the Premier League the world’s premier football division.
Since its inception in 1992, the Premier League has been the stage for some of the most memorable football moments. Commentators often exclaim, ‘Only the Premier League writes scripts like this!’ This fiercely competitive league has witnessed epic battles for titles, survival, and coveted top-four spots, leading to encounters between some of the greatest football managers.
Our curated list unveils the twelve best matches in Premier League history. While not all are defined by crazy scorelines, each match is included for the high stakes involved, adding to the thrill for spectators. If your favorite game is missing, check our list ranking fourteen of the craziest matches through the years. Join us at GIVEMESPORT as we count down the 12 best matches in Premier League history.
12 Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur (2015/16)
Tottenham understood the imperative of securing a victory against Chelsea to stay relevant in one of the most peculiar title races in Premier League history, competing with Leicester City. Initially, things went according to plan, as Harry Kane and Heung-min Son’s goals gave Spurs a 2-0 lead. However, in the second half, Chelsea found a way back, and Eden Hazard’s late equalizer triggered jubilant celebrations at Stamford Bridge. The impact rippled beyond West London to Leicester, as this outcome secured the Foxes their inaugural Premier League title. This intense match witnessed nine Tottenham players receiving bookings and culminated in a tunnel scuffle at the game’s conclusion.
11 Everton 5-3 Blackpool (2010/11)
In their sole Premier League season, Blackpool emerged as the division’s captivating team, consistently delivering surprising outcomes, such as their notable 2-1 victory at Anfield against Liverpool – a renowned fortress in football. On a rainy February afternoon, there was a momentary glimpse of a double triumph in Liverpool as Jason Puncheon and Charlie Adam’s goals propelled Ian Holloway’s side to a 3-2 lead against Everton. However, in a thrilling contest, the Toffees rallied, with Louis Saha securing four goals to reclaim the lead.
10 Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal (2010/11)
Surprisingly, Everton’s 5-3 victory over Blackpool wasn’t the standout Premier League match of the day! While Saha showcased goal-scoring prowess on Merseyside, an even more remarkable game unfolded at St James’ Park. Arsenal surged to a 4-0 lead within 26 minutes, courtesy of goals from Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou, and a brace from Robin van Persie. However, the Magpies staged a second-half comeback, with Joey Barton netting twice from the spot around Leon Best’s strike. A sublime volley from Cheick Tiote three minutes from the end sealed one of the most extraordinary comebacks in Premier League history.
9 Wolves 4-3 Leicester City (2003/04)
Nothing surpasses the thrill of orchestrating a remarkable comeback like Newcastle’s, except, perhaps, executing a crucial turnaround that could significantly impact a survival quest. In an early-season six-pointer between Wolves and Leicester City, both considered relegation candidates, the Foxes dominated, establishing a surprising 3-0 lead at Molineux within 34 minutes. The home fans, undoubtedly stunned at halftime, couldn’t have foreseen their team’s remarkable second-half resurgence. Incredibly, Wolves staged a comeback, sealing a victory with Henri Camara’s decisive goal in the 85th minute.
8 Chelsea 4-4 Aston Villa (2007/08)
Curiously, this was one of three 4-4 draws in the 2007/08 campaign that were all shared between Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham. Taking place on Boxing Day, Shaun Maloney’s first-half brace gave the Villains a shock 2-0 lead at Stamford Bridge, but it was cancelled out by two strikes from Andriy Shevchenko either side of half-time. With the score at 3-3, Michael Ballack’s free-kick in the 88th minute looked like it was going to be the winner, but after Ashley Cole was forced to handle on the line, reducing the Blues to nine men after Ricardo Carvalho’s earlier dismissal, Gareth Barry was able to equalise with a cool penalty.
7 Tottenham Hotspur 4-5 Arsenal (2004/05)
In a November 2004 North London Derby, Tottenham and Arsenal engaged in one of the highest-scoring matches in Premier League history. The first half was relatively subdued, with goals from Noureddine Naybet and Thierry Henry leaving the sides tied at 1-1. However, the game ignited after halftime, with Jermain Defoe and Robert Pires netting standout goals for their teams. Despite Spurs persistently attempting to level the score, the match concluded 5-4 in favor of the Gunners, cementing its status as one of the most unforgettable North London derbies ever.
6 West Ham United 5-4 Bradford City (1999/00)
Transitioning from one 5-4 thriller to another, this one unfolds as a remarkable turnaround. In their inaugural Premier League season, Bradford City, grappling near the bottom of the table, believed they had secured crucial points for their survival bid. Two rapid-fire goals from Jamie Lawrence propelled them to a 4-2 lead at the Boleyn Ground with less than 40 minutes remaining. However, the Hammers staged a comeback, with Paolo di Canio, Joe Cole (scoring his first home goal for the club), and a young Frank Lampard contributing goals to Harry Redknapp’s talented young side, executing an impressive reversal.
5 Portsmouth 7-4 Reading (2007/08)
The highest-scoring encounter in Premier League history, held between Portsmouth and Reading in late September 2007, undoubtedly earns its place on this list. Benjani of Pompey relished a particularly satisfying afternoon on the south coast, marking his only hat-trick in English football. Even as the Zimbabwean completed his third goal in the 70th minute, the score was merely 4-2. Yet, in an utterly extraordinary final 20 minutes, an additional five goals ensued. Niko Kranjcar and Shane Long found the net, along with Sulley Muntari from the spot, and unfortunate own goals from Sol Campbell and Ivar Ingimarsson, contributing to the astonishing scoreline.
4 Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City (2009/10)
We step into the domain of pivotal matches in Premier League history. In a notable fixture, Manchester City acquired Carlos Tevez from their city rivals in the summer, and the Argentine played a significant role in City’s first goal. Exploiting a Ben Foster mistake, Tevez set up Gareth Barry to slot into an empty net, nullifying Wayne Rooney’s early opener. The second half witnessed Darren Fletcher and Craig Bellamy securing braces, creating a seemingly balanced contest. However, the equilibrium was disrupted when Michael Owen scored a last-gasp winner for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
3 Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle United (1995/96)
In what was long considered the greatest Premier League season, Newcastle faced a crucial match against Liverpool at Anfield, needing a win to keep pace with Man United at the top of the table. Despite falling behind to an early Robbie Fowler goal, the Magpies swiftly recovered, securing a 3-2 lead by the 57th minute. However, Liverpool’s Stan Collymore shattered Geordie hearts by equalizing moments later, ultimately delivering a heartbreaking winner in the 92nd minute. This setback proved costly for Newcastle, and under Kevin Keegan’s management, they finished four points behind the Red Devils, never fully recovering from the blow.
2 Manchester City 3-2 QPR (2011/12)
This marked the most exhilarating conclusion to a title race in Premier League history. Manchester City aimed to secure their first league title in 44 years by defeating QPR at home, outpacing rivals Man United. However, the West London outfit, battling their own relegation concerns, unexpectedly took a 2-1 lead in the 66th minute through Jamie Mackie’s header. Roberto Mancini’s side, desperate to reverse the tide, pressed relentlessly, and in a climactic turn of events, Edin Dzeko equalized in stoppage time. Moments later, Sergio Aguero unleashed what is arguably the most iconic goal in Premier League history, securing the title for Manchester City.
1 Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool (2018/19)
While not the highest-scoring affair, Manchester City’s triumph over Liverpool in January 2019 stood out as the premier match among many thrilling encounters between two of English football’s greatest sides. Amidst the tightest title race in Premier League history, the teams clashed at the Etihad. Goals from Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane secured victory for Pep Guardiola’s side. The match is notably remembered for John Stones’ crucial goal-line clearance, a pivotal moment that averted a goal with potentially significant implications for the destination of the Premier League crown that season.
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