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Every great team has relied on substitutes who had the ability to impact the game from the bench. These super-subs, as they are better known, are the mark of champions and they are an integral part of most title-winning teams.
The greatest example of substitutes impacting the outcome of the game would be the 1999 Champions League Final. Trailing by 1-0 since the 6th minute to Bayern Munich, Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided to take off Jesper Blomqvist and bring on Teddy Sheringham in the 67th minute. In the 81st minutes, Sir Alex took off Andy Cole and put on the baby-faced Assassin, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Sheringham drew Manchester United level in the 91st minute. Solskjaer secured the trophy by scoring in the 93rd minute.
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The Premier League has always exhibited some fabulous super-subs, who have had dramatic impacts on the outcome of the games and this season is no different. From equalizing late to winning games in the last minute, super-subs have taken this Premier League season by storm so far. Today, we look at the top 5 super-subs this season.
#5 Riyad Mahrez
Goals scored as sub- 2
The Algerian has played 11 games in the Premier League so far and has scored 4 goals. He started the first game of the season against Arsenal, where he impressed, but did not find the back of the net. He came off the bench for the next 2 games, with similar results, however, he finally scored against Cardiff in his 6th appearance, and his 4th from the bench.
Mahrez came off the bench in the 61st minute, replacing Sergio Aguero, with the score 3-0 in City's favour. 6 minutes later, Mahrez scored his first goal of the season and in the 89th minute, he scored his second, summing up a fruitful night for him and his club.
The Algerian was on the bench for the following game as well, coming on in the 71st minute, but could not find the back of the net. Since then, Mahrez has started in three of City's games in the Premier League, and scored 2 goals, against Burnley and the winner against Spurs. He was an unused substitute last weekend against Southampton.
#4 Eric Lamela
Goals scored as sub- 2
Eric Lamela's first appearance in the Premier League this season was in the home win against Fulham, where he came off the bench in the 17th minute and picked up an assist. His next involvement was from the bench again, when he came on against Liverpool in the 60th minute and scored in the 93rd minute as Spurs lost 1-2.
Against Brighton in the following game, the Argentine started from the bench once more and in the 68th minute, came on to replace Son Heung-min, with the score 1-0. 8 minutes later, Lamela had scored his second goal of the season and increased Tottenham's lead. Brighton rallied late to get a goal back in the 93rd minute, but Spurs held on, which meant that Lamela's goal had secured 3 points. Lamela came off the bench against Cardiff next, but did not find the back of the net. But he had done enough to earn his manager's trust, who reinstated the Argentine in the starting line up since then and Lamela has responded by scoring 2 goals in the last 3 games.
#3 Marcus Rashford
Goals scored as sub- 2
Marcus Rashford has started just 4 of the 8 games in the Premier League he has been involved in, with Mourinho preferring to use his pace and power in the later stages, to stretch the tired opposition defense. While he has always looked lively, Rashford had not been influencing game until recently. However, both of Rashford's 2 goals in the Premier League this season have come from the bench.
After picking up a red card in the game against Burnley which saw him suspended for two games, the English youngster returned to the bench against West Ham and watched his team go behind 2-0 in the first half. He came on in the 57th minute, replacing Victor Lindelof and in the 71st minute, gave Manchester United a thin ray of hope, scoring his first of the season. However, United succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in the game.
Rashford started the next 3 games and picked up a vital assist against Chelsea, but could not find the back of the net. This saw him relegated to the bench again, as United went to visit Bournemouth. As has been the case in recent games, the Red went behind in the 11th minute.
In the 56th minute, Mourinho opted to replace Juan Mata with Rashford, with the score still at 1-1. In the 92nd minute, Rashford scored the winner as United rallied back yet again to win the game 2-1.
#2 Daniel Sturridge
Goals scored as sub- 2
Daniel Sturridge has scored 4 goals from 12 games in all competitions this season. The English striker's started the season on a high, coming in against West Ham in the 87th minute and scoring in the 88th, as Liverpool won the game 4-0.
The Englishman was on the bench for the next 5 games straight, coming on in three of them, playing a total of 18 minutes, but could not found the back of the net. Against Chelsea too, he started from the bench and watched as Eden Hazard gave the home side a lead in the 25th minute. With the game entered into the 80th minute with Liverpool still losing 1-0, Klopp knew he needed something spectacular and he opted for Sturridge, who came on to replace James Milner in the 86th minute. In the 89th minute, Sturridge found the ball outside the penalty area and unleashed a brilliant volley that stunned his former club. Liverpool were level and their super-sub had struck again.
#1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Goals scored as sub- 4
The Gabon international is on red-hot form this season, already scoring 9 goals from 15 games this season. In the Premier League, Aubameyang has scored 7 goals from 11 games and the majority of those goals have come off the bench.
Aubameyang scored his first goal of the season against Cardiff and then scored his second against Everton. However, after 7 straight starts, Emery opted to put the former Dortmund striker on the bench against Fulham. In the 62nd minute, Aubameyang replaced Welbeck and in the 79th minute, he scored his third of the season. 12 minutes later, the Gabon international had scored again, ensuring that the Gunners ended the night with a 5-1 win.
However, even his heroics could not earn him a return to the starting 11, as Aubameyang found himself on the bench again, in the following game against Leicester City. This time when Emery asked for his services, Arsenal were in deep trouble. With the game poised at 1-1, Aubameyang replaced Lichtsteiner in the 61st minute. 2 minutes later, he had found the back of the net and 3 minutes after giving Arsenal the lead, Aubameyang took the game away from Leicester City, scoring his second of the game. With 4 goals from 2 games as a substitute, Aubameyang is the best super-sub of the Premier League season so far.
