From Leicester City doing the unthinkable and winning the title to West Brom scraping survival with one of the most dramatic relegation escapes ever, the Premier League is the biggest and best domestic football competition on the planet.
Fans also sample the odd Champions League fixture or dip into the occasional Football League match, but England’s top flight is certainly the favored option for most soccer fans around the world.
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Why Is The Premier League So Popular?
What separates the Premier League from most is the drama it serves up, alongside the obvious quality of players and teams led by the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. This, and more, accompanies the passion of the English soccer fans.
The faster and more intense match action that the league typically features, and the widespread coverage on matches, be it through fans following the results and goal updates using resources such as zoom livescore or by accessing social media sites like Twitter to debate with fellow supporters on their team’s latest big win away from home.
It doesn’t end there, though, with raving fans being treated to a constant wave of entertainment. Shocking results and stunning upsets are a part of the fabric of this beautiful game.
Here is a look back on the most memorable upsets in Premier League history.
Greatest Premier League Upsets of All-Time
Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City (2011)
Kicking things off with a Manchester derby result which shocked the world as United’s noisy neighbors upset the odds and highlighted City’s emergence further, leaving legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson to describe the final score as his “worst ever day” in management.
The worst home defeat for the Red Devils in over 56 years was a stark reminder for fans that the blue side of the city was emerging from the shadows, with Manchester City outplaying United all over the pitch. David Silva ran the midfield on the day and scored a goal, with Mario Balotelli (2), Sergio Aguero, and Edin Dzeko (2) contributing also.
Middlesbrough 8-1 Manchester City (2008)
A reminder for Manchester City fans that things haven’t always been rosy, especially following the immediate takeover of the club by the Abu Dhabi United Group in the summer months of 2008. In fact, what immediately followed was an 8-1 battering away at Middlesborough.
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s cash-rich club hadn’t managed to sufficiently upgrade their squad yet, highlighted by the rather embarrassing mauling at the hands of a side that finished six points above the relegation zone that season.
RELATED: The Biggest Upsets in Sports History – Against The Odds
Southampton 6-3 Manchester United (1996)
Manchester United isn’t usually on the receiving end of two big losses in a row, but following a 5-0 hammering by Newcastle, Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops were expected to put things right with a blistering performance at Southampton.
Instead, the Saints upset the odds and took the lead fairly early on after Roy Keane was sent off in the first half, with things spiraling out of control from there. Three Southampton goals in 10 minutes ultimately sealed an unlikely result for the Saints as the likes of Matt Le Tissier and Egil Ostenstad stole the show.
Liverpool 1-2 Blackpool (2010)
Ian Holloway’s newly-promoted Blackpool side was lauded due to the attacking brand of soccer which was easy on the eyes and resulted in a number of memorable fixtures during the club’s short stint in the Premier League.
One match where The Seasiders’ exciting style was perfectly illustrated was in a shocking 2-1 win at Anfield during the 2010/11 campaign. After leading 2-0 at halftime thanks to goals from Charlie Adam and Luke Varney, Liverpool supporters could barely watch on as Roy Hodgson’s stuttering start as manager continued.
For Blackpool, it’s one of the greatest results in the club’s history.
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Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal (2011)
Look away now, Arsenal fans! The fixture which arguably confirmed Arsene Wenger’s demise is the focus here.
Losing 8-2 away to any side is painful, but succumbing to such a defeat at rivals United will live long in the memories of most Gunners fans. At full-time, Wenger said the result was “terribly painful”, and it’s hard to disagree, unless you’re a United fan, of course. What a mauling!
Have a favorite Premier League stunner we left off our list? Let us hear it on Twitter @JokerMagHQ!
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