It’s fair to say that the recent game between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge was a great advert for the Premier League. Leading 1-0 at half time, Chelsea were seemingly out of sight after goals from Juan Mata and David Luiz moved them into a commanding 3-0 lead.
United rallied and a brace from Wayne Rooney and a late equaliser from Javier Hernandez gave them the unlikeliest of draws (3-3). In truth this is the kind of excitement we have grown to expect from the Premier League, rarely does the ‘Greatest League in the World’ disappoint. With that in mind, here are a few other memorable matches...
Manchester United 4 – 3 Manchester City
In 2009 Manchester’s United and City were preparing for one of the biggest Manchester derbies of all time. No longer the poor relation, City had a summer of spending behind them, including the signing of Carlos Tevez. And now it was time to see how close City had come to matching (or even surpassing) their previously dominant rival.
Despite all the big money talent in both squads it was United’s signing of out of contract Michael Owen which proved pivotal. With the game at 3-3 Owen pounced to score a dramatic 96th minute winner at Old Trafford, 4-3. United retaining Manchester’s bragging rights for a little while longer.
Portsmouth 7 – 4 Reading
Some Premier League games are built up massively by the media. We are told to expect something special. That wasn’t the case for the Portsmouth v Reading game of 2007. But, in the highest scoring game in Premier League history Pompey bested Reading by 7 goals to 4. Current Portsmouth favourite Benjani contributing three goals to the cause.
Tottenham Hotspur – 3 – 5 Manchester United
A dark day in the life of any Spurs fan. Tottenham had looked commanding in the first half, goals from Dean Richards, Les Ferdinand and Christian Ziege had put them into a strong position.
Three-nil up at half time, Spurs looked good value for their lead. Even the most optimistic United fan couldn’t have envisaged what would happen in the next 45 mins. Goals from Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc, Juan Sebastian Veron, Ruud van Nistlerooy and David Beckham gave United one of the most famous turn-arounds in Premier League history.
Leeds United 4 – 3 Liverpool
One of the most impressive individual displays since the Premier Leagues inception in 1992. When pundits would say that striker Mark Viduka was unplayable on his day they were referring to displays like this. Viduka displayed great composure in front of goal as he put Liverpool to the sword in this 2000/2001 fixture. The Australian scored all four goals in a thriller at Elland Road. Liverpool had been 3-2 up but Viduka completed his hat-trick to equalise and from there his fourth was inevitable.
Norwich City 4 – 4 Middlesbrough
As Norwich City battled relegation in the 2004/05 season they needed to turn Carrow Road into a fortress, gaining points at home was a must. So finding themselves 4-0 down at home to Middlesbrough was probably not what they had in mind. However a remarkable fight back saw Norwich miraculously rescue a point. A 4-4 draw was a remarkable point earned but just a point none the less and Norwich were relegated that year. Not returning to the Premier League until this season.
Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur
One fixture that does seem to create remarkable games is the North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs. Always a hotly contested clash, regardless of how either team are faring at the time.
The highest scoring of these came at White Hart Lane in 2004 when Arsenal triumphed 5-4. Thierry Henry and Robert Pires amongst the goals in this feast of attacking football. Also, memorably, Spurs triumphed at the Emirates in 2010. After being 2-0 down at half time, goals from Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart and Younes Kaboul gave Spurs a huge win against their old enemy.
Even when the sides were too close to be separated the excitement on offer was immense. In only Harry Redknapp’s second game in charge a ruthless Arsenal had gone 4-2 up at the Emirates. With 89 minutes on the clock there seemed to be nothing left to play for before Spurs got what looked to be a consolation goal. Further action ensued before Aaron Lennon equalised with the last kick of the game. Drama, as always, on offer in North London.
The above haven’t really been in any particular order, but I have saved my best for last...
Liverpool 4 – 3 Newcastle United
In 1996 Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle side played a brand of football that was extremely easy on the eye. But even at the height of their attacking powers they couldn’t outscore Liverpool on one special night in April, 1996. Seen as the game that helped launch the Premier League to the world, Liverpool won a thriller 4-3 at Anfield. Sky commentator Martin Tyler’s cry of “COLLYMORE’S CLOSING IN!!!” as Stan Collymore scored the last minute winner is now as deep within Premier League legend as the game itself.
Liverpool had taken the lead early in the game but found themselves 3-2 behind later on. With Robbie Fowler, Les Ferdinand, Faustino Asprilla and David Ginola also on the score sheet this game literally had everything. Even more impressive is that lightning struck for a second time the season after, Robbie Fowler this time scoring the last minute winner in a 4-3 win over Newcastle.
What’s most impressive about the above list is that there are so many games that didn’t even make the cut. The Premier League is the most watched football league in the world, revered across continents. Widely regarded as the most exciting football on the planet and with good reason. And the best part of it is that any of the next set of Premier League fixtures could be another classic.