The Premier League isn’t short on drama, but every now and then, it delivers a result that leaves fans, pundits and bookies absolutely stunned. Whether it’s a mid-table side tearing apart a top-six giant, or relegation fodder pulling off a miraculous win, these are the matches that defy even the most confident match predictions and live long in the memory – for better or worse.
Here are ten of the most unbelievable shock results in Premier League history. No matter who you support, there’s a good chance at least one of these caught you completely off guard…
1. Man United 1-6 Man City (2011)
Let’s kick things off with a Manchester derby that flipped the power dynamic in English football. United had just won the title the season before, but City were starting to flex their financial muscle. Still, no one – and we mean no one – expected a 6-1 drubbing at Old Trafford.
Balotelli opened the scoring with that now-iconic “Why Always Me?” moment. What followed was pure chaos. United’s defence collapsed, and City’s counter-attacks were ruthless. Dzeko and Silva added gloss to a truly historic result. This wasn’t just a derby win – it was a changing of the guard.
2. Leicester 5-3 Man United (2014)
This one felt like a glitch in the matrix at the time. United had just splashed big on Angel Di Maria and were expected to start climbing back to the top. Leicester, meanwhile, had just been promoted. But on this day, the Foxes flipped the script in one of the wildest games of the era.
United were 3-1 up with half an hour to go. Game over? Not quite. Vardy and Ulloa spearheaded a comeback for the ages, and Leicester scored four goals in 20 minutes. It was the first sign of that never-say-die spirit – the very same one that would power them to the title two seasons later.
3. Chelsea 2-5 West Brom (2021)
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea looked unbeatable going into this match. They hadn’t conceded in seven games, and West Brom were staring relegation in the face. Then came a complete meltdown at the Bridge.
Thiago Silva saw red early on, and West Brom pounced. Matheus Pereira was unplayable, scoring twice and setting the tempo for a truly ridiculous afternoon. Chelsea did grab a couple, but Sam Allardyce’s Baggies bagged five in total. This was one of those “What am I watching?” games – pure Premier League madness.
4. Liverpool 0-1 Barnsley (1997)
Barnsley’s only top-flight campaign may have been short-lived, but this win lives on forever in Premier League folklore. Few gave them a chance at Anfield, but John Hendrie’s first-half goal he put past new Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel stunned the Kop into silence. The American keeper had just joined from MLS team which was one of the highest promotions for California players.
Liverpool threw everything at them, but goalkeeper Lars Leese put on a heroic display. It was classic smash-and-grab stuff – the kind of match that gets forgotten in title races, but sticks in your head if you’re looking for those underdog indicators when making any sort of Premier League match prediction.
5. Arsenal 2-3 West Brom (2010)
You don’t just go 3-0 up at the Emirates – unless you’re West Brom, apparently. This wasn’t a fluky result either. The Baggies were comfortably better than Arsenal on the day, with Chris Brunt and Jerome Thomas running the show.
Arsène Wenger’s side looked sluggish, and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia had a shocker. They clawed two back late on, but the damage was done. Games like this remind us that even the big clubs are prone to these bizarre dips, something that even the best predictors can’t always account for.
6. Man City 2-3 Crystal Palace (2018)
City were cruising. Pep had built a machine that steamrolled everyone. Then came Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace – and one of the most spectacular goals ever scored in the Premier League.
Andros Townsend’s volley from 30 yards out was pure filth – the kind of strike you try in FIFA but never actually score. Palace’s win didn’t just hand City a rare home defeat, it also handed Liverpool a boost in the title race. It was a shock on every level, and Townsend’s goal alone made it one for the ages.
7. Wigan 1-0 Man United (2012)
Wigan had never beaten Manchester United. Ever. But in the business end of the 2011/12 season, needing points to stay up, Roberto Martinez’s side pulled off a masterclass.
Shaun Maloney’s curling strike settled it, and Wigan defended for their lives. The result had huge implications: United’s lead at the top was slashed, and City would go on to win the title in that Aguero moment. Wigan also survived the drop. Talk about a season-defining upset.
8. Spurs 1-5 Newcastle (2016)
Final day of the season. Spurs had already bottled the title race to Leicester but could still finish second. Newcastle were already relegated. No one expected what came next.
Despite being down to ten men, Newcastle tore Spurs apart. Wijnaldum, Mitrovic and Janmaat ran riot. It was as if Spurs had mentally clocked out. Arsenal leapfrogged them into second, and Spurs fans were left watching another St. Totteringham’s Day unfold. The collapse was so severe, it almost felt deliberate.
9. Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool (2020)
You could write this one off as a COVID-era oddity – no fans, weird energy – but seven goals against the reigning champions? Come off it.
Villa were rampant. Ollie Watkins bagged a hat-trick, and Jack Grealish had Trent Alexander-Arnold chasing shadows. Liverpool’s high line was suicidal, and Adrian had a horror show in goal. It was the first time a Jürgen Klopp side had ever conceded seven, and it reminded everyone that no team is immune to a proper hiding.
10. Man United 4-0 Liverpool (2003)
This one’s often overlooked, but at the time, it was a serious eyebrow-raiser. Liverpool were pushing for the title, United weren’t quite at their best, and yet they completely dominated from start to finish.
Scholes, Van Nistelrooy and Giggs put on a clinic, while Liverpool’s backline crumbled. It was a hammer blow to the Reds’ title hopes and one of those games where you realise – never write off Fergie’s United, no matter what the form guide says.
Final Whistle
So there you have it – ten shockers that shook the Premier League to its core. From title contenders being humbled, to underdogs producing moments of magic, these are the kind of results that make this league so unpredictable – and so addictive.
Got another surprise result that should’ve made the list?
