Back page Football is a game of surprises. Sometimes these surprises can be downright heart-stopping and mind-boggling. Over the long history of the Premier League, we’ve seen some truly wild games that may make you jump on your couch, spill your drink, and scream your heart out. The latest of those came on October 6.
When table-topping Tottenham Hotspur welcomed Chelsea to North London, little did we know that all hell was about to break loose. Two disallowed goals, two red cards, a hat-trick and a ridiculously high line despite being two men down. This win truly had it all. Ultimately it was the visiting Blues who would prevail, running out 4-1 victors – a score line that flattered them.
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However, this got us thinking, what other wild games have there been in the Premier League? Let’s take a look.
Leicester City 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur – 2021/22
The Spurs slipped into defeat in their recent encounter, but earned plenty of plaudits for their continued attack with just nine men. Websites offering betting on football have taken note, listing the North London outfit as genuine contenders and pricing them at 13/1 fourth-favourites. The Spurs earned similar plaudits two years ago when they headed to the King Power Stadium to battle it out with Leicester City.
Despite trailing by 2-1 deep into injury time, Spurs somehow managed to come out with the victory. Steven Bergwijn would net a 95th-minute equaliser. Then, straight from the kick-off, the hosts gave the ball away and the Dutch striker raced through once more. He managed to net a 97th-minute winner, much to the delight of the travelling away fans housed behind the goal.
Manchester City 3-2 Queens Park Rangers – 2011/12
The 2011/12 season was a thriller from the beginning to the end. Manchester City were vying for their first Premier League title in over four decades when they hosted Queens Park Rangers in the final game of the season. The Blues knew that all they had to do to secure the title was win, but QPR was determined to pick up points that would keep them in the top flight.
In the end, what followed was a stunning display of drama that left fans gasping for breath. The visitors took a 2-1 lead despite having captain Joey Barton dismissed for kicking out at Sergio Aguero courtesy of goals from Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie. City’s Edin Dzeko pulled one back in the 92nd minute. But it wasn’t until the five minutes of added time that everything went wild. Sergio Aguero scored a last-gasp winner that screamed into the back of the net, sending the Etihad Stadium into raptures and City fans into tears of joy.
Throwback to when Andrey Arshavin scored 4 goals against Liverpool at Anfield🔥pic.twitter.com/Eho3GPb7Ze
— Jr. (@AFCJuni0r) April 9, 2023
Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal – 2008/09
When two of the most explosive teams in the Premier League face-off, you’re bound to witness some stunning moments. That’s what happened in the Liverpool and Arsenal clash in the 2008/09 season. Liverpool, then managed by Rafael Benitez, was challenging for the title, while Arsenal, under Arsene Wenger’s guidance, were looking to secure the Champions League spot.
Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin scored four stunning goals on his Anfield debut to put the visitors in control despite being under the cosh for the majority of the action. However, Liverpool kept pushing and got back into the game with two goals from Fernando Torres and another from Yossi Benayoun. The game ended in a stunning 4-4 draw, all but ending the Reds’ title aspirations.
