After Chelsea’s crazy 4-1 win against Tottenham, we look at some of the best games of the Premier League era. These games have gone down in history as some of the most remarkable games of modern times, so let us relive some!
Here are three of the best Premier League games of all time…
Manchester City 3-2 QPR – 2011/12
Embed from Getty ImagesManchester City’s task on the final day of the 2011/12 season was simple. Win at home to relegation threatened QPR and their first Premier League title would be theirs. Manchester United could win the league if they beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and their Manchester rivals failed to be QPR.
In a tense Etihad Stadium, the atmosphere was subdued. The fans knew what was at stake and news of a Wayne Rooney goal at Sunderland only heightened the anxiety. That was until just before half time when Pablo Zabaleta sent a shot towards Paddy Kenny who could not hold onto it and City had the lead.
The game turned just after half time when Joleon Lescott mistimed his header and let in Djibril Cisse, who finished smartly beyond Joe Hart. United were now two points clear. The drama did not stop there, in fact it had only just begun. Joey Barton was sent off for a crazy, hot-headed moment in which he kicked Sergio Aguero and seemed to try and take on the whole City team.
QPR did not let their heads drop and the ten men took the lead through Jamie Mackie to stun Roberto Mancini’s side. Things were looking desperate. United looked destined for the trophy. Manchester City huffed and puffed as five minutes of injury time was added on. Substitute Edin Dzeko rose highest from a corner and equalised, 2-2! City had a matter of minutes to win the title. As the news filtered through that Manchester United had beaten Sunderland, City posed one last attack. Mario Balotelli received the ball on the edge of the area and found Aguero who rifled the ball into the net to send the Etihad into utter bedlam.
City had done it, in the most unbelievable circumstances, pipping United to the title on goal difference. One of the most famous goals in Premier League history.
Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal – 2010/11
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was a standard 3pm kick off at St. James’ Park as Newcastle hosted Arsenal in February 2011. Arsenal wasted little time and cruised into a 3-0 lead in less than ten minutes. Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou and Robin van Persie all scoring to stun Newcastle. Van Persie added to his tally just 15 minutes later and Arsenal had a 4-0 lead, just over a quarter of the way into the match. Some Newcastle fans had seeen enough, and walked out with disgust.
The second half began, with the Newcastle fans less than impressed with what they had seen, but things changed on the 50th minute. Abou Diaby was shown a red card, and Arsenal who were cruising were down to ten men. Newcastle stepped their game up, and were awarded a penalty with 22 minutes to play. Joey Barton converted and suddenly there was a glimmer of hope. Not too long later it was 2-4, Leon Best squirming the ball in from close range and suddenly the mood had changed.
Arsenal’s backs were up against the wall and Newcastle had the fire in their belly, and pressed on. The hime side, managed at the time by Alan Pardew were awarded a second penalty, converted once again by Joey Barton, 3-4! Time was running out for Newcastle, who well and truly had the bit between their teeth.
With three minutes left of the 90, Newcastle had a free kick, which was anticipated to be swung into the box. The ball came in, and Arsenal cleared their lines. The ball was hanging in the air for what seemed like an age, and fell to the boot of the late Cheick Tiote. Tiote hit a rasping volley, which nestled into the bottom corner of the net to send the home fans crazy!
Arsene Wenger’s side had let a for goal lead slip, and Newcastle had completed one of the most amazing comebacks in Premier League history!
Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle – 1995/96
Embed from Getty ImagesKevin Keegan’s Newcastle were embroiled in a title race with Manchester United in the 1995/96 season. In early April, Newcastle travelled to Anfield to face Liverpool, it a crunch match at the top of the table. A night game under the lights at Anfield, with a lot at stake. It had all the ingredients of a classic.
The tone was set with an early goal, for Liverpool. Robbie Fowler headed home at the back post to give the home side the perfect start. Their lead lasted just seven minutes, Les Ferdinand swivelled and sent a shot beyond keeper David James and Keegan’s side were level. Five minutes later, David Ginola was sent racing through in front of the Kop, and finished superbly, and Newcastle had turned the game on it’s head.
Newcastle lead at the break, but Liverpool came out in the second half fighting. Liverpool’s Steve McManaman’s weaving run and low cross set up Fowler who scored again, with a pinpoint first time finish to make it 2-2. Moments later, Newcastle retook the lead in what was turning out to be a crazy game. Columbian Faustino Asprilla broke through the Liverpool defence and punted a shot beyond the onrushing David James. Newcastle lead again.
Ten minutes later, the sixth goal of the game was scored, Jason McAteer sent a dangerous ball into the box which found Stan Collymore who tapped home at the back post. The game still had over 20 minutes left. Ferdinand had a golden opportunity to win the game for the away side, but he was foiled by David James. The most dramatic of winners was scored in the 90th minute, after a chaotic passage of play between Ian Rush and John Barnes. Barnes, inside the box finally got his head up to find the galloping Collymore who finished with a powerful strike in front of the Kop, and won the game for Liverpool!
Newcastle ended up finishing second, as Manchester United sealed the title by four points. Liverpool finished in third, but the season was remembered most for that game, one of the best in Premier League history.
