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Biggest Premier League upsets ever

The Premier League has seen some remarkable results in recent weeks. The goals have been flowing in the top-flight, with plenty of the division’s best defenders putting in sub-par performances. Tottenham scored six at Old Trafford, Manchester City shipped five to Leicester and Manchester United were beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace. The most unlikely result came at Villa Park, though, where a rampant Aston Villa demolished Liverpool 7-2, creating one of the biggest upsets in Premier League history. Everybody loves a giant-killing and the Premier League has a rich history of them. Here are our top 5 Premier League Upsets.

 

Five biggest Premier League upsets

 

Norwich City 3-2 Manchester City – 14/09/2019

Manchester City travelled to Carrow Road on top of the world. The Champions had not lost a Premier League match since January or lost to a newly promoted team in almost five years. The Canaries were without eight first-team players, with manager Daniel Farke having to name two goalkeepers on the bench to make up the numbers. This was to be a formality for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Norwich quickly raced into a 2-0 lead, with goals from Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell, before Sergio Aguero pulled one back for City. Pukki made it 3-1 in the second half after a mistake at the back, before Norwich weathered a late storm which saw Rodri make it 3-2. The eruption at the full-time whistle was enormous. David had beaten Goliath in one of the most seismic Premier League upsets ever.

 

Watford 3-0 Liverpool – 29/02/2020

Liverpool were on course to become the second side to complete a Premier League campaign unbeaten when they arrived at Vicarage Road in the 2019/20 season. Watford were lingering around the relegation zone, having recently hired their third manager of the season in Nigel Pearson.

As the game began it was clear Watford were fired up. Although 0-0 at the break, The Hornets were largely in control and would have been ahead were it not for a fine save from Alisson. In the second half, they made the pressure count. Ismaila Sarr scored twice, before teeing up captain Troy Deeney to make it three. Celebrations began in both Watford and Islington, there would be no invincibles status for Liverpool and it prevented The Reds from claiming the longest Premier League winning streak ever.

 

Bradford 1-0 Liverpool – 14/05/2000

Bradford City went into the final day of the 1999/2000 Premier League season knowing a win may not be enough to keep them in the division. To make matters worse, their opponent at Valley Parade was fourth-place Liverpool.

The Bantams put in a dogged performance, going ahead after 15 minutes and defending for their lives for much of the game. Elsewhere, relegation-threatened Wimbledon lost 2-0 to Southampton.

As news from the south coast filtered into the stadium, the tension grew even greater. The final whistle went, and the crowd burst onto the pitch. Bradford had avoided relegation and caused the season’s biggest upset simultaneously.

 

Leicester City 5-3 Manchester United – 21/09/2014

These days, seeing Leicester City in and around the top 6 is not unusual, however in 2014, when they met Manchester United for the first time in over 10 years, the expectation was that The Red Devils would easily dispatch of the relegation-threatened Foxes.

In the second half, United were comfortable at 3-1 when Leicester City won a penalty. David Nugent slotted it down the middle, before a fine finish from legendary midfielder Esteban Cambiasso made it 3-3. Shortly after, Jamie Vardy raced through to score his first Premier League goal. A late penalty from Leonardo Ulloa made it five and sealed a memorable win for Nigel Pearson’s side.

 

Chelsea 0-3 Sunderland – 14/11/2010

Reigning champions Chelsea took on Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, with a team featuring the likes of Didier Drogba, Nikolas Anelka and Ashley Cole. What was expected to be a routine win quickly became an uphill task when Nedum Onuoha made a slalom run between Chelsea defenders before coolly slotting home.

Goals in the second half from Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck sealed a memorable victory for the black cats, who went on to finish a very respectable 10th. Chelsea would not retain their Champions status come the end of the season, finishing second to Manchester United thanks, in part, to one of the biggest Premier League upsets ever.

 


 

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