Everyone loves a comeback except fans of those teams it happens against, but some comebacks stick out more than others for players’ sheer guts, heart and desire to get their side back in the game. And, such games are often so exciting with goals galore that both teams to score would be an obvious bet. Here are five of the greatest in Premier League history.
Leeds United 4-3 Derby County
By the time these two sides met in November 1997, both were aiming for the Champions League spots – or at least Europe – in the Premier League table (Leeds were sixth, Derby eighth).
So, when the visitors took a shock 3-0 lead inside just 33 minutes, the home fans could not believe their eyes. However, two goals before half-time from Rod Wallace and Harry Kewell brought United back to 2-3.
And, the comeback was achieved with two goals in the last eight minutes from Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink and Lee Bowyer to round off a scintillating game.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 Leicester City
Leicester City were rooted to the bottom of the Premier League coming into this fixture in 2003, yet took a surprise 3-0 half-time lead through a Les Ferdinand double and one from Riccardo Scimeca.
The Foxes’ jubilation didn’t last long into the second-half, however, as two goals from Colin Cameron and one from Alex Roe levelled up proceedings by the 68th minute. And, Henri Camara’s first of the season with four minutes left completed a quite unbelievable snatch-and-grab.
Tottenham 3-5 Manchester United
Though Tottenham were languishing in 16th and Manchester United climbing to second before these sides met in September 2001, Spurs were leading by three goals to zero as the half-time whistle went.
Whatever Sir Alex Ferguson said at half-time certainly worked as United battered the London side in the second-half, with Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron and David Beckham all scoring to complete an astounding comeback.
West Brom 5-5 Manchester United
With the 2012/13 title already clinched before the two sides met, many would have forgiven United to perhaps drop off at the end of the season. However, this was the Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, and, having been pegged back to 2-3 after winning 0-3, United raced into a 2-5 lead by the 63rd minute.
Plus, with West Brom unable to reach the European spots and safely in the top-half of the table, the fixture could well have petered out with a whimper.
Yet, three goals in five minutes – two from Romelu Lukaku and one from Youssouf Mulumbu – brought it back to 5-5 with five minutes left. Neither side, however, could break the deadlock in one of the most bizarre clashes of the season.
Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal
Where else to end but this 4-4 thriller? Arsenal, a team in second, were leading eighth-placed Newcastle 4-0 by the 26th minute this Saturday clash back in February 2011.
The loss of heart amongst Newcastle fans had, by that point, led to some Toon supporters exiting St James’ Park. How they would rue that decision.
Two Joey Barton penalties and a Leon Best goal brought the Magpies back to within a goal down with seven minutes to go.
Then came one of the goals of the season from Ivorian Cheik Tiote – who in 2017, sadly, passed away. Three minutes from the end, a Tiote volley from outside the box sent shockwaves round the stadium as Newcastle supporters erupted in immense noise, having seen their team accomplish the greatest ever comeback in Premier League history.
