In honour of Sportsnet Magazine’s The Big Book of Sports Lists, we look back at the 10 greatest matches in Barclays Premier League history.
Watch the special Sportsnet Magazine’s The Big Book of Sports Lists: Top 10 BPL matches on Wednesday night first on Sportsnet ONE at 7:30 p.m. ET, then later on other Sportsnet regional channels (check local listings).
Manchester United 4 Manchester City 3
September 20, 2009
Bad blood was already brewing prior to the match, as Carlos Tevez left United to join the club’s cross-town rival. Yet the match itself surpassed all expectations, in an absolute thriller at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney and Gareth Barry had scored for their respective teams in the first half, setting the stage for an outstanding final 45 minutes. Unlikely goal scorer Darren Fletcher put United ahead, before Craig Bellamy equalized. Fletcher would put United ahead in the 80th minute, only for Bellamy to respond once again for City. However, this heated match led to plenty of stoppage time, and Michael Owen scored his important goal of his United tenure in the 6th extra minute, putting the Reds ahead for good.
Portsmouth 7 Reading 4
September 29, 2007
This 2007 thriller was the highest scoring match in English Premier League history, as Portsmouth and Reading both threw caution to the wind. Portsmouth’s Benjani scored two early first-half goals, but Reading added two of their own by the 48th minute. Portsmouth would regain a 5-2 lead, before Shane Long notched Reading’s third goal of the night. With a 5-3 lead, Portsmouth would cruise to a 7-4 win, in a game that certainly highlighted the Premier League’s flair for dynamic offensive performances.
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 4
April 21, 2009
The official match report states “Liverpool 4, Arsenal 4,” but this game should be known as the “Arshavin Game.” Arsenal striker Andrei Arshavin scored all four goals against Liverpool, single-handedly keeping the Gunners in the match. Liverpool’s Fernando Torres was near the height of his prolific powers, scoring two goals, while Yossi Benayoun added a brace as well. The game was tied at three entering stoppage time, and Arshavin’s fourth seemed to clinch the victory for Arsenal. However, Benayoun equalized for Liverpool, capping off an incredible game.
Tottenham Hotspurs 3 Manchester United 5
September 29, 2001
Tottenham had its home supporters ecstatic at White Hart Lane when it jumped out to a 3-0 first-half lead on giant Manchester United. Andy Cole would put United on the board in the 46th minute off a header, and Laurent Blanc quickly added a second. When Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a third for United, it appeared that Tottenham’s momentum had been shot to pieces. Yet United’s valiant comeback did not end there as Juan Sebastian Veron scored in the 76th minute, and they never looked back from there onwards.
Newcastle United 4 Arsenal 4
February 5, 2011
This game appeared to be over in the first half, as the North London club stormed to a four-goal lead in the first half, with Robin van Persie scoring a brace in the first half. However, Newcastle stormed back in the second half, as Joey Barton capitalized on two penalty kicks. With Arsenal holding on for dear life, Cheick Tiote unleashed a stunning volley from outside the box, helping Newcastle come back against the vaunted Gunners. To make things all the more interesting, Newcastle almost won, as Kevin Nolan put a late-minute chance wide of the net.
Manchester United 1 Manchester City 6
October 23, 2011
Manchester City’s epic beating of Manchester United was not only notable for the result, but for what it meant for both the rivalry, and the state of British football. For years, United fans taunted City supporters for their relative lack of success, but the Citizens had a renaissance, armed with tons of money from new owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Mario Balotelli scored his first of two goals, putting City up 1-0. The tide turned when United defender Jonny Evans was sent off, and City’s five-goal second-half onslaught (three in stoppage time!) showed Ferguson and Manchester United that the new regime was no longer content being the little brother in Manchester.
Arsenal 4 Tottenham Hotspurs 4
October 29, 2008
Bitter cross-town rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur squared off in a North London derby for the ages in 2008. Leading 4-2, victory seemed certain for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Yet Tottenham put up a valiant effort, as Jermaine Jenas curled a shot into the left corner in the 89th minute to lead the comeback effort. Minutes later, Aaron Lennon scored on a tap-in, after Luka Modric’s effort was directed off the post, finding Lennon for the equalizer.
Final day of 2012 season
May 13, 2012
The 2012 Premier League season was one for the ages, highlighted by the events of the final day of the campaign. Bitter rivals Manchester United and Manchester City were tied on points prior to the final games, with City’s goal differential acting as a tie-breaker. Manchester United did their part, defeating Sunderland 1-0. With Queen’s Park Rangers leading 2-1 over Manchester City late, it appeared that the Reds would win the title. But Edin Dzeko scored in the 2nd minute of the five added in stoppage time, leading to Sergio Aguero’s winner at the last possible second, giving Manchester City its first Premier League title.
Liverpool 4 Newcastle United 3
April 3, 1996
Liverpool and Newcastle both had strong ambitions of capturing the 1995-96 Premier League title, and this match was described as a classic by Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan. Liverpool jumped out to an early lead, but it was Newcastle who entered halftime up 2-1. Robbie Fowler would equalize for Liverpool in the 55th minute, only for Newcastle’s Faustino Asprilla to score two minutes later on a counter attack. Yet it would be Liverpool striker Stan Collymore who would be the hero on the night, scoring in the 68th minute to equalize for the Reds. In stoppage time, Liverpool put together a string of brilliant passing, finding a wide-open Collymore in the box, who buried his second goal of the game. Newcastle had a 10-point lead prior to this match, but finished second behind Manchester United.
Manchester United 8 Arsenal 2
August 28, 2011
Manchester United put a young Arsenal squad on notice, with a world-class offensive display against their London rivals. United jumped to a 3-1 lead in the first half, but it was a second-half dissection of Arsenal’s defence that brought many of the Gunners players a rude awakening. Wayne Rooney spearheaded United’s attack with a hat trick, giving Arsenal one of its worst beatings in club history, certainly its worst in Premier League history.
