Founded in 1992, the Premier League has hosted thousands of matchups between hundreds of teams.
England’s top flight is widely regarded as the best in the world due to its unpredictability and many moments of pure sporting drama.
HITC have looked back through the archives and listed five of the greatest-ever Premier League games — an almost impossible task but one we think we’ve nailed.
5. Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal (Feb, 2011)
Newcastle welcomed Arsenal to St. James’ Park for an intriguing Premier League matchup in February 2011. Fans always get excited when these two sides meet, but no one was expecting what happened to happen…
Trailing 4-0 at halftime following goals from Theo Walcott (1′), Johan Djourou (3′) and a brace from Robin van Persie (10′ and 26′), the Magpies went into the break well-beaten with large sections of the home crowd seen leaving the stadium early… Big mistake.
An inspired team talk from former manager Alan Pardew led Newcastle to a sensational second half comeback.
Despite Joey Barton not pulling one back until the 68th minute, the Magpies went on to draw 4-4.
Follow-up goals from Leon Best (75′) and a second from Barton (83′) forced a dramatic ending, which saw the late Cheik Tiote fire in a great volley in the 87th minute to complete the remarkable turnaround.
4. Man United 1-6 Man City (Oct, 2011)
Manchester City’s game against rivals Manchester United in October 2011 was significant for several reasons. Not only did the Citizens thump their crosstown enemies, but the stunning result marked the beginning of City’s dominance.
City came into the match looking to build on their impressive start to the season, and although some tipped them to get a result, very few expected them to put six past the Red Devils.
An opening goal from Mario Balotelli after 22 minutes set the tone. The controversial Italian doubled his tally at the hour mark with Sergio Aguero adding a third a few minutes later. United’s Darren Fletcher pulled one back after 81 minutes but City went on to net another three before the final whistle.
Edin Dzeko bagged a brace, and David Silva got one in the game’s final 10 minutes to secure all three points and complete a landmark 1-6 victory.
3. Man United 8-2 Arsenal (Aug, 2011)
The 2011-12 season saw some remarkable matches, and Manchester United’s home tie against Arsenal in August was no different.
The Red Devils welcomed Arsene Wenger’s Gunners to Old Trafford for an eagerly anticipated fixture. Despite naming a weak starting 11, United put Arsenal to the sword and inflicted one of the Gunners’ heaviest Premier League defeats.
Danny Welbeck opened the game’s scoring after 22 minutes, but Robin van Persie (still an Arsenal player) had the chance to equalise from the spot. The Dutchman failed to beat David de Gea from 12 yards, though. Ashley Young (28′), Wayne Rooney (41′) went on to find the back of the net with Theo Walcott getting the Gunners’ first just moments before the half time break.
Despite the Londoners going into the break with some hope, the Red Devils came back out firing and added insult to injury. Three quick-fire goals from Rooney (64′), Nani (67′), and Ji-sung Park (70′) left the away support stunned and the home crowd jubilant.
Van Persie did manage to make up for his early mistake by netting in the 74th minute to make it 6-2, but a hat trick penalty from Rooney after 82 minutes was quickly followed by a stoppage time brace from Young. The English duo’s late flurry ensured maximum humiliation was served.
2. Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham (Nov, 2010)
The North London Derby is always one of the best fixtures in the Premier League season.
The two London-based club’s rivalry extends decades and it is almost impossible to pick their best-ever encounter. Their matchup in November 2010 is one that stands out though.
Arriving at the Emirates without an away win in 17 years, Tottenham knew the odds were firmly stacked against them, and two first-half goals from Samir Nasri (9′) and Marouane Chamakh (27′) looked like more of the same was on the horizon.
Harry Redknapp’s men had other ideas, though…
Unbelievably, Tottenham fought back with goals from Gareth Bale (50′) and Rafael van der Vaart (67′). As the game entered it’s final few minutes, the game looked like ending in a 2-2 draw.
Centre-back Younes Kaboul produced the goods when they mattered most, though. The commanding French defender headed in a cross from Van der Vaart to seal the victory, ending Arsenal’s near-two-decade home dominance.
The result enraged a usually calm and composed Arsene Wenger. The former Arsenal manager was seen hurling his water bottle in frustration on the touchline. Iconic.
1. Man City 3-2 QPR (May, 2012)
“I swear you’ll never see anything like this ever again…”, and Manchester United fans will be glad about that.
Not only did City batter United 6-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the 2011-12 season, but the campaign’s final day saw drama like never before.
Needing to beat QPR to lift their first-ever Premier League title, City, under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, were expected to run away with it, and a 39-minute goal from Pablo Zabaleta set them on their way. The game flipped on its head after the half time break though…
An equalising goal from Djibril Cisse (48′) got home hearts racing. Confidence was restored after Barton was shown a straight red card just before the hour mark, though. Remarkably, the one-man disadvantage didn’t stop QPR, with the London side taking the lead again through a 66-minute Jamie Mackie goal.
2-1 down and second in the title race, as things stood, following United’s 1-0 win against Sunderland, City had just minutes to find two goals.
A 92-minute header from Dzeko saw the Etihad erupt before the City side scrambled back to the centre-circle. Less than two minutes later, Aguero found himself deep inside QPR’s penalty spot. The Argentine unleashed a strike from close range, which beat opposition goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.
The remarkable comeback saw City snatch the title out of United’s hands at the death in a match that will live on in the memory of football fans all around the world forever.
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