10 Premier League Matches That Defined the Greatest Comebacks in Football

The Premier League is known for drama, passion, and the unpredictable — and no moments capture that spirit more than a stunning comeback. From teams clawing back from seemingly hopeless positions to last-gasp winners, the league has delivered some of the most thrilling turnarounds ever seen in football. Here are the top 10 greatest comebacks in Premier League history, each a remarkable tale of resilience and determination.

10. Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool

In one of the greatest comeback stories involving Bournemouth, they pulled off a stunning turnaround against Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium. Despite trailing 3-1 after 64 minutes, the Cherries launched a fearless counter-attack. Ryan Fraser and Steve Cook scored in quick succession to level the match before Nathan Ake’s stoppage-time strike sealed a dramatic 4-3 victory, marking Bournemouth’s first Premier League win over Liverpool.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Bournemouth vs Liverpool
• Season: 2016/17
• Final Score: 4-3
• Goalscorers: Mane (20'), Origi (22'), Wilson (56'), Can (64'), Fraser (76'), Cook (78'), Ake (90+3')

9. Leicester City 3-4 Newcastle United

This chaotic clash saw Leicester take a 3-1 lead after Robbie Elliott’s early opener for Newcastle. However, Alan Shearer produced a moment of magic. The Magpies legend scored a hat-trick in the final 13 minutes to turn the game on its head and secure a 4-3 win. It was a vintage Shearer performance and remains one of the greatest comebacks by an individual.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Leicester City vs Newcastle United
• Season: 1997/98
• Final Score: 3-4
• Goalscorers: Elliott (3'), M. Elliott (55'), Claridge (60'), Heskey (68'), Shearer (77', 83', 90')

8. Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham

Down 2-0 to their North London rivals, Arsenal fans feared the worst. But in an extraordinary turnaround, the Gunners scored five unanswered goals in a 27-minute spell. Sagna, Van Persie, Rosicky, and Walcott were all on the scoresheet. It was one of the greatest comebacks in the derby’s history and a huge morale boost for Arsenal’s campaign.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Arsenal vs Tottenham
• Season: 2011/12
• Final Score: 5-2
• Goalscorers: Saha (4'), Adebayor (34'), Sagna (40'), Van Persie (43'), Rosicky (51'), Walcott (65', 68')

7. Norwich City 4-5 Liverpool

Liverpool looked out of the game when they went 3-1 down to Norwich City. But within 20 minutes, goals from Henderson, Firmino, and Milner gave them a 4-3 lead. Bassong equalised for Norwich in stoppage time, but Adam Lallana smashed home a dramatic 95th-minute winner. It was the greatest comeback in that season for Liverpool and a match full of twists.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Norwich City vs Liverpool
• Season: 2015/16
• Final Score: 4-5
• Goalscorers: Firmino (18', 63'), Mbokani (29'), Naismith (41'), Hoolahan (54'), Henderson (55'), Milner (75'), Bassong (90+2'), Lallana (90+5')

6. Manchester United 5-2 Tottenham

Trailing 2-0 at half-time at Old Trafford, Manchester United flipped the script with a second-half blitz. Ronaldo and Rooney scored braces before Berbatov netted the fifth to finish off a dominant comeback. It was one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most electrifying second-half team transformations and among United’s greatest comebacks ever.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Manchester United vs Tottenham
• Season: 2008/09
• Final Score: 5-2
• Goalscorers: Bent (29'), Modric (32'), Ronaldo (57', 68'), Rooney (67', 71'), Berbatov (79')

5. Everton 2-3 Bournemouth

Everton seemed to be cruising to victory with a 2-0 lead in the 87th minute. But Bournemouth had other ideas. Antoine Semenyo gave them hope, Lewis Cook equalised in the 92nd minute, and then Luis Sinisterra scored a winner in the 96th minute. It’s the greatest comeback in Premier League history in terms of how late the turnaround occurred.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Everton vs Bournemouth
• Season: 2024/25
• Final Score: 2-3
• Goalscorers: Keane (50'), Calvert-Lewin (57'), Semenyo (87'), Cook (92'), Sinisterra (96')

4. Crystal Palace 3-3 Liverpool

Liverpool’s title hopes took a massive hit in one of the greatest comebacks of the 2013/14 season. The Reds were 3-0 up with just 11 minutes left, but Palace hit back through Delaney and Gayle’s brace to level the score. The collapse was symbolic of Liverpool’s lost title dreams that year.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
• Season: 2013/14
• Final Score: 3-3
• Goalscorers: Allen (18'), Delaney OG (53'), Suarez (55'), Delaney (79'), Gayle (81', 88')

3. West Brom 5-5 Manchester United

Alex Ferguson’s farewell game saw one of the wildest matches in Premier League history. United led 5-2 with 10 minutes to go, but West Brom — led by a Lukaku hat-trick — came back to draw 5-5. It was the highest-scoring draw in Premier League history and one of its greatest comebacks.

Match Details:

• Fixture: West Brom vs Manchester United
• Season: 2012/13
• Final Score: 5-5
• Goalscorers: Kagawa (6'), Olsson OG (9'), Büttner (30'), Morrison (40'), Lukaku (50', 80', 86'), Van Persie (53'), Chicharito (63'), Mulumbu (81')

2. Manchester City 3-2 QPR

Needing a win to claim the Premier League title, City were down 2-1 in injury time. Dzeko’s header gave them hope, and Aguero’s 93:20 goal secured the championship in the most dramatic fashion. It remains the greatest comeback in a title decider the Premier League has ever seen.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Manchester City vs QPR
• Season: 2011/12
• Final Score: 3-2
• Goalscorers: Zabaleta (39'), Cissé (48'), Mackie (66'), Dzeko (90+2'), Aguero (90+4')

1. Newcastle United 4-4 Arsenal

Down 4-0 after just 26 minutes, Newcastle looked finished. But after a red card to Abou Diaby, the Magpies mounted the greatest comeback in Premier League history. Two penalties from Barton, a strike from Best, and a 25-yard screamer from Tioté sent St James’ Park into frenzy. No team has ever overturned a four-goal deficit like this.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Newcastle United vs Arsenal
• Season: 2010/11
• Final Score: 4-4
• Goalscorers: Walcott (1'), Djourou (3'), Van Persie (10', 26'), Barton (68', 83'), Best (75'), Tioté (87')