The Most Surprising Results in Premier League History

The English Premier League has witnessed numerous unpredictable outcomes since its inception in 1992. These upsets have not only shocked fans but also significantly impacted the league’s standings and the clubs’ histories.

A part of our series on historic Premier League moments, this article looks at some of the most monumental upsets in EPL history.

Previous articles on historic moments include topics like milestone matches in the league’s history, comebacks, most important transfers in the EPL, dramatic final matchday moments and the best individual seasons the league has ever witnessed.

For even more in this series (and others), you can also check out all our editorials here.

So which 7 games have we selected as the biggest upsets? Read on to find out.

Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City (October 23, 2011)

One of the most shocking results in Premier League history occurred in the 2011-12 season when Manchester City defeated Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford. This match is particularly memorable because it signalled a power shift in Manchester from United to City.

Mario Balotelli opened the scoring, famously revealing a shirt with the words “Why Always Me?” after his goal. Jonny Evans’ red card early in the second half opened the floodgates, with Balotelli scoring again and Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko (twice), and David Silva adding to United’s misery.

Darren Fletcher scored the lone goal for United.

Norwich City 3-2 Manchester City (September 14, 2019)

Norwich City’s victory over reigning champions Manchester City during the 2019-20 season was a significant upset. The Canaries were promoted just that season and faced a City squad that was widely viewed as one of the best in Europe.

Goals from Kenny McLean, Todd Cantwell, and Teemu Pukki stunned Pep Guardiola’s side, which managed to score twice through Sergio Aguero and Rodri

HIGHLIGHTS | Norwich City 3-2 Manchester City | The Canaries Stun The Champions.

This win at Carrow Road highlighted Norwich’s fighting spirit and tactical discipline under manager Daniel Farke.

Leicester City 5-3 Manchester United (September 21, 2014)

Before their miraculous title-winning season, Leicester City delivered a major upset by beating Manchester United 5-3 in the 2014-15 season.

Having been promoted that year, Leicester’s victory was a significant indicator of their potential, which would fully blossom in the following seasons. Down 3-1, Leicester mounted a stunning comeback with goals from David Nugent, Esteban Cambiasso, Jamie Vardy, and a brace from Leonardo Ulloa.

Unforgettable Comeback! Leicester 5-3 Manchester United | Premier League

This game was a significant blow to United’s morale and showcased Leicester’s resilience and fighting capabilities.

Wigan Athletic 1-0 Manchester City (February 19, 2018)

As a little exception, we are including a game from the FA Cup.

In one of the most surprising ‘Cupsets’, Wigan’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the fifth round showcased the unpredictability of English football. Wigan, then in League One, was vastly outmatched on paper against a City team dominating the Premier League.

Will Grigg’s 79th-minute goal was the difference in a match that saw Fabian Delph receive a red card, complicating matters for City. This result ended City’s hopes for a quadruple that season.

Arsenal 0-3 Aston Villa (November 8, 2020)

Villa’s 3-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium during the 2020-21 season was another notable Premier League upset.

Expected to struggle, Villa instead dominated the match with an Ollie Watkins double and a Bukayo Saka own goal sealing a remarkable win.

This result highlighted Villa’s improvement under Dean Smith at the time and posed serious questions about Arsenal’s defensive capabilities.

Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth (December 5, 2015)

Chelsea’s 1-0 home loss to Bournemouth in December 2015 was a surprising result, given the stark contrast in the squads’ strengths and aspirations.

A late goal from Glenn Murray just 99 seconds after coming on as a substitute handed the newly promoted Bournemouth a historic victory at Stamford Bridge.

This game was part of a disastrous season for Chelsea, which saw them finish 10th, a year after winning the league.

Burnley 1-0 Manchester United (August 19, 2009)

Burnley’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United early in the 2009-10 season was a memorable upset.

Playing in the Premier League for the first time, Burnley secured the win thanks to a stunning volley by Robbie Blake. This match was a significant marker of Burnley’s ability to compete in the Premier League, bolstering their confidence for the rest of the season.

FLASHBACK | Burnley v Man Utd 2009/10

As we know, nothing is ever guaranteed in football. These shocking results, along with many others that we have witnessed in English football, will always be a reminder that, although one team might be better on paper, it is not enough to just show up for the game in order to win it.