Football has a unique way of searing moments into memory—those heart-stopping games where teams defy the odds, rewrite scripts and leave fans either in euphoria or despair.
The Premier League has delivered its fair share of these unforgettable comebacks, from the roar of the crowd to the disbelief sketched on players' faces.
Here are the 10 best Premier League comebacks of all time
1. Manchester City 3-2 QPR (2012)
"I swear you’ll never see anything like this again!"
May 13, 2012. Imagine it: 44 years of hurt, and 90 minutes to end the drought. But with stoppage time looming, City fans were in tears. QPR led 2-1, and United’s players were celebrating their title miles away. Then came the chaos.
Edin Džeko’s header sparked belief. Two minutes later, Sergio Agüero did the unthinkable. A clever one-two with Balotelli, a dart into the box, and a shot that stopped time. "Aguerooooo!" Martin Tyler’s voice still rings in the ears of football fans worldwide. That goal wasn’t just a comeback—it was a coronation.
2. Tottenham 3-5 Manchester United (2001)
"From humiliation to domination."
September 29, 2001: Spurs were flying high at halftime with a 3-0 lead over Manchester United, thanks to goals from Dean Richards, Les Ferdinand, and Christian Ziege. But Sir Alex Ferguson’s halftime talk sparked one of the most stunning comebacks in Premier League history.
Andy Cole began the fightback at White Hart Lane, followed by goals from Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastián Verón, and David Beckham. The final whistle saw United victorious, with Beckham’s exquisite finish capping a jaw-dropping second-half display that epitomised Ferguson’s never-say-die philosophy.
3. Newcastle United 4-4 Arsenal (2011)
"Tioté! Oh, what a hit!"
February 5, 2011. The St. James’ Park faithful were shell-shocked. Arsenal, razor-sharp, had blitzed their way to a 4-0 lead in just 26 minutes. By halftime, Newcastle fans were praying for damage control. Then came the red card—Abou Diaby’s moment of madness gave Newcastle hope.
Joey Barton struck two nerveless penalties, Leon Best made it 4-3, and then—that moment. In the 87th minute, Cheick Tioté unleashed a left-footed volley that felt destined. The ball soared, the net rippled, and Tioté sprinted to the corner flag, fists aloft. The roar could be heard across Tyneside. For those who were there, it wasn’t just a draw—it was salvation.
4. West Brom 5-5 Manchester United (2012/13)
"And Ferguson’s final match ends... like this?"
May 19, 2013: Sir Alex Ferguson’s final game as Manchester United manager is expected to be a victory lap. His team races to a 3-0 lead within 30 minutes. But West Brom, led by a rampant Romelu Lukaku, refused to play the role of sacrificial lambs.
The Baggies claw their way back, Lukaku scoring a sensational hat-trick in the process. As the final whistle blows on a thrilling 5-5 draw, Ferguson is all smiles. “I told them to entertain,” he quips post-match—a fitting epitaph to a career built on spectacle.
5. Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham (2011/12)
"And, North London is red once more."
February 26, 2012: The North London Derby delivers its usual drama and then some. Tottenham took a 2-0 lead via Louis Saha and Emmanuel Adebayor, and their fans were in full voice. But Arsenal responded with a vengeance. Sagna’s bullet header opens the floodgates, and van Persie’s curling effort levels the score.
Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott pile on the misery for Spurs, who are powerless to stop the Arsenal onslaught. By full-time, the Emirates is rocking, and Arsenal have reminded their rivals who rules the city.
6. Leicester City 5-3 Manchester United (2014/15)
"Jamie Vardy’s having a party!"
September 21, 2014: Manchester United seemed to be cruising after goals from Robin van Persie, Angel Di Maria, and Ander Herrera gave them a 3-1 lead by the 57th minute under Louis van Gaal. But Leicester City, newly promoted and hungry to prove their worth, had other plans.
A combination of fearless attacking and defensive chaos saw the Foxes score four unanswered goals, with Jamie Vardy spearheading the charge. David Nugent’s penalty, Esteban Cambiasso’s equaliser, and Vardy’s decisive strike turned the King Power Stadium into a cauldron of jubilation. It was a harbinger of greater glory to come for Leicester.
7. Crystal Palace 3-3 Liverpool (2013/14)
"Crystanbul!, how has this happened?"
May 5, 2014: Liverpool have three goals to the good, and their first Premier League title is in sight. Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge are dazzling, their every touch met with cheers from the travelling Kop.
But as the clock ticks down, Crystal Palace find another gear. In a dizzying nine-minute spell, the Eagles score three times, Dwight Gayle’s equaliser sending shockwaves through the league. At full-time, Suárez is in tears, his shirt pulled over his face while Steven Gerrard pushes the camera away. For Liverpool, it’s “Crystanbul.” For Palace, it’s a night of unbridled joy.
8. Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool (2016/17)
"The Vitality Stadium erupts."
December 4, 2016: Liverpool, powered by their high-octane football, seemed poised for a comfortable victory, taking a 3-1 lead into the final stages after goals from Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mané, and Divock Origi. But Bournemouth, undeterred, launched a stunning comeback. Callum Wilson’s header early in the second half cut the deficit, reigniting hope for the home side.
Though Emre Can temporarily eased Liverpool’s fears with a well-taken goal, Bournemouth, backed by a raucous home crowd, weren’t finished. Ryan Fraser’s blistering run and cross set up Steve Cook’s header to make it 3-3 before the stage was set for Nathan Aké to score a dramatic winner in injury time.
The stadium erupted as Aké’s last-gasp strike sealed a remarkable turnaround, leaving Liverpool stunned and Bournemouth celebrating a moment that would become one of the greatest in their Premier League history.
9. Norwich City 4-5 Liverpool (2016)
"Broken glasses, soaring hearts."
January 23, 2016: Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool are a rollercoaster—chaos, brilliance, and everything in between. Norwich think they’ve pulled off a shock, leading 3-1 early in the second half.
But the Reds come roaring back, their relentless press overwhelming the Canaries. At 4-4, Adam Lallana’s 95th-minute strike seals it, sparking wild celebrations that famously break Klopp’s glasses. It’s madness, it’s Liverpool, it’s unforgettable.
10. Tottenham 3-3 West Ham (2020)
"Lanzini, out of this world!"
October 18, 2020: Tottenham raced into a 3-0 lead within 16 minutes, with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son putting on a clinic of attacking football. However, West Ham, refusing to give up, slowly clawed their way back. Fabian Balbuena’s header and a Davinson Sánchez own goal set the stage for a jaw-dropping finish.
In the 94th minute, Manuel Lanzini unleashed a thunderous strike from 25 yards that smashed into the top corner, sparking pandemonium among the Hammers’ faithful. The dramatic equaliser felt like a victory for West Ham, while Spurs were left stunned at the collapse.
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