In terms of parity and the point differences between the top clubs, there’s no domestic league in Europe most exciting or competitive than the English Premiership.
Below are five of our most exciting EPL of games of the last 10 years (in chronological order) that left supporters and punters alike trying to catch their breath.
October 29, 2008: Arsenal 4-4 Spurs
After beginning the season with an eight match winless streak, Harry Redknapp was brought in to right the ship at Spurs. In just his second week on the job, he was tasked with taking his new club to the Emirates to try and not get embarrassed by the fourth-place Gunners.
Shockingly, Spurs led most of the first half, but Arsenal would take back the lead with goals on both sides of halftime. From the 64th thru 68th, Arsenal would add two and Spurs one to make the scoreline 4-2. This looked like it would be the final until Jermaine Jenas would pull one back in the 89th for Tottenham. Four minutes later in injury time, a Luka Modric volley would ricochet off the post and rebound to Aaron Lennon, who would complete the dramatic comeback.
September 20, 2009: Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City
At the beginning of the 2009/10 Prem, Man City was just beginning their comeup into becoming a real title contender. Their legitimacy was to be tested early on in the season in Manchester Derby #1, played at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney started the scoring before fans were even settled in their seats, but Gareth Barry would equalise minutes later.
In the second half, the clubs would trade back and forth two sets of goals, including one in the 90th minute from Craig Bellamy that tied the game at 3-3 in surely what would be a draw. Then, despite the fourth official signaling for just four minutes of added time, Michael Owen would score in the 96th minute to win what Sir Alex called “the best derby of all-time.”
With gripping storylines, dramatic finishes, and breathtaking goals seemingly every week, it’s no wonder that the EPL is also one of the most popular leagues to bet on in the entire world. You just don’t know what’s going to happen next, getting involved is now easier than ever. So try to pick the right bet and right team to make sure you win big money bets.
May 2, 2011: Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal
Still in the chase for the title, Arsenal was undoubtedly breathing easy when they entered the locker room at halftime with a 4-0 lead over Newcastle in 2011. Supporters at St. James’ Park were understandably already streaming home, peeved at both the scoreline and that beloved striker Andy Carroll was recently sold without replacement.
After a rough challenge, Arsenal’s Abou Diaby retaliated, getting himself sent off in the process. This would eventually commence Newcastle’s climb back, however they wouldn’t score their first until the 69th. But minutes later Leon Best would put away a Jose Enrique cross for a second. St. James’ started to come alive, and Best would score Newcastle’s second penalty of the day, making it 3-4. This set up the comeback’s coup de grace: a volleyed, 20-yard stroke from Cheik Tiote out that made sure those that left the match early would never do so again.
May 13, 2012: Manchester City 3-2 QPR
On paper, it looked like a simple task: beat relegation-threatened QPR, and the title would belong to Man City on goal differential. A loss, coupled with a Man U win or draw against Sunderland, meant that the title was surrendered to City’s crosstown rivals.
Against old City manager Mark Hughes, things turned nervey at the Etihad when Man U scored in the 20th minute of their match. The emotional rollercoaster was up and down from there. Despite losing Joey Barton on a red, QPR would score to go up 2-1 in the 66th. When the final whistle blew on their victory, Man U dared to dream that the title was again theirs. But with five minutes of injury time, both Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero would score to improbably, and perhaps impossibly, win Man City the title at the death.
May 2, 2016: Chelsea 2-2 Spurs
While the headline of the 2015/16 EPL season is obviously Leicester’s miracle run to the title, the most exciting match of that run may have been one they didn’t play in. To keep chase on the Foxes’ lead and their title hopes alive, Spurs needed nothing short of three points in Gameweek 35.
Jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first half, it looked like Spurs’ smash and grab plan at Stamford Bridge was going to be a successful one. But wanting nothing more than to play spoiler to their London rivals, the match would get testier and testier, eventually devolving into a literal melee. Amongst a flurry of yellow cards (eight in the second half alone), beautiful goals from Tim Cahill and Eden Hazard would draw the score level, earning Leicester the title, and spark a row between the two clubs after the match.
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