Greatest English Premier League Upsets

Here, we will take a look at the greatest English Premier League upsets of all time. The English Premier League has been one of the major stalwarts amongst the various football leagues present around the globe. It has always provided a sense of excitement and thrill on the football pitch. The fast-paced transitional play has enthralled many fans worldwide. It has garnered a reputation of constituting some really expensive teams in the league. Big names like Manchester City and Chelsea FC spend more than 60 million on an average in the annual transfer window to get their required players. This has plummetted such huge clubs to success in the past. But there have been a few minnows who have been able to overthrow these dominant forces and provide another engrossing element to the league as a whole. So, lets go through some of the greatest upsets that shook some English Premier League tables around the world.

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#5.Chelsea vs Sunderland, 0-3, 2010/2011

Chelsea, having lost only two games on their pursuit to their title defence, were in brilliant form until they hosted Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. A side which had been demolished 5-1 by Newcastle just a forthnight earlier, Sunderland played some slick football to baffle the Blues. Also, the bland football that Chelsea played was criticized by the media as they went about their business in an extremely sluggish manner. Many Sunderland fans were calling for Steve Bruce’s head but goals from Asamoah Gyan,Nedum Onuoha and Danny Welbeck allowed the Black Cats to register a key win for them. This loss started the downfall of Chelsea as they handed the championship to their rivals, Manchester United in the end.

Henderson and Gyan rejoice after a Sunderland goal

#4.Wolves vs Man Utd, 1-0, 2004/2005

A team who had only lost thrice in the Premier League till this match, Manchester United were looking for another big win against the bottom placed club Wolverhampton Wanderers. But the party for the Red Devils was spoiled when Wolves player Kenny Miller brushed past Reds defender Wes Brown to calmly slot in a legendary goal for the club in the second half of the match. Being one of only seven wins in 38 league games for Steve Bruce’s side, the win also put a huge setback on Manchester United’s title pursuit.

Kenny Miller troubles the Man Utd defence

#3.Norwich vs Man Utd, 2-0, 2004/2005

In the same season, Manchester United travelled to Carrow Road to face a Norwich side who were battling for relegation. The Red Devils failed to display their mastery as they slumped to another away defeat in the season by goals from Dean Ashton and Leon Mckenzie. Being an extremely one-sided event in the favour of the Canaries, the match also displayed some resolute defending from Craig Fleming and Jason Shackell. Rarely was the Norwich keeper troubled. This match spelt the end of Man Utd’s title pursuit that season, ultimately won by Chelsea.

A distraught Rooney after a Norwich goal

#2.Crystal Palace vs Liverpool, 3-3, 2013/2014

Crystal Palace were starting out to be one of the major obstacles for big teams as they defeated title contenders Chelsea at the penultimate stages of the season. Liverpool were within touching distance of a historic title win. After the defeat to Chelsea at Anfield, all Liverpool fans had their hearts in their mouths as Liverpool faced Crystal Palace away from home. Liverpool lead 3-0 through goals from Joe Allen, Luis Suarez and an own goal from Damien Delaney. But a calm demeanour was required in their play and they were made to pay for their consistent attacking as a quickfire double from Dwight Gayle and one from Damien Delaney during the last 11 minutes of the game, helped them level the match late on. The Liverpool players were distraught. They had potentially lost the title to Man City. A match which will be etched in every Liverpool fan’s memory.

Suarez in tears after Livepool’s loss

#1.Arsenal vs West Brom, 2-3, 2010/2011

Arsenal are renowned to have a topsy-turvy season nowadays and this match is another evidence of how such a major EPL contender can fall to such spiritless displays. After West Brom missed a penalty, Arsenal had no reply to it as their moves were blocked by some resolute defending from the Baggies. But, in the end, it was some miserable keeping from Almunia and a shaky defence which gave the Baggies a 3-0 lead withing 25 minutes of the second half. Gonzalo Jara, Peter Odemwingie and Jerome Thomas were on target as Arsenal made some late strikes through a brace from Samir Nasri but the result was done and dusted. An embarassing defeat for the Gunners against the Baggies.

The Baggies are ecstatic after Gonzalo Jara’s goal