The Premier League has had some sensational moments since its first campaign back in 1992. So let’s look back at some five great moments from the Premier League.
Five Great Moments of the Premier League
1. Rovers Return and a Joyous Moment for King Kenny
It’s not often that a side loses on the final day of the season and still end up as League Champions, but that’s exactly what happened to Blackburn Rovers.
In 1994/1995 Blackburn went toe-to-toe with Manchester United for the Premier League crown. Kenny Dalglish’s side needed a win on the last day to secure the title. Who were their opponents? Dalglish’s old boys Liverpool, at Anfield.
Rovers opened the scoring after 20 minutes. Stuart Ripley played the ball across to Alan Shearer, who found the net. The East Lancashire sides’ title hope was strengthened by the scoreline at Upton Park as West Ham United led the Red Devils 1-0.
Going into the break, it appeared everything was going Blackburn’s way with the title looking a formality. But things would change in the final 45 minutes of the season.
Another twist in the title race
Ten minutes after the break, Brian McClair equalised for United at Upton Park. The news reached Anfield, which may have had a knock-on effect on the Blackburn squad. Not after John Barnes put the scores level.
Both sides missed great chances in the last ten minutes of their fixtures. On Merseyside, Alan Shearer blazed his late shot over the crossbar, while in the capital, the Red Devils missed several of their chances.
Andy Cole twice went one-on-one, with Hammers’ Keeper Ludek Miklosko but was denied by the Czech on both occasions.
Moments later, and now in stoppage time, a throw-in caused a scramble in the penalty area. The ball fell to Mark Hughes had his shot cleared off the line by American Tim Breaker.
Back an Anfield and also in the 90th minute, David Batty brought down Steve McManaman outside the box; Jamie Redknapp took the free-kick and put it passed Tim Flowers to give Liverpool the lead.
Where Jamie looked to have ended Rovers’ dream, his dad Harry made it a reality. Despite a late wave of attacks, West Ham held on for the draw, meaning Blackburn were League Champions, for the first time since 1914.
The scenes at Anfield were incredible, all of Anfield was celebrating, both Liverpool and Blackburn supporters, Kenny Dalglish was greeted with a hug by a Liverpool supporter wearing a Blackburn scarf.
It is no doubt the peak of Blackburn’s history, creating memories that would last but the supporters it wouldn’t get better, Dalglish stepped down as manager that summer and went into decline, getting relegated in 1999.
2. Leicester City’s Great Escape
We all know Leicester City’s greatest ever moment of the Premier League came in 2016. So instead we’ll focus on the year before.
Going into April 2015, The Foxes were rock-bottom of the division, seven points of safety and were looking likely to make an instant return to the Championship.
But if there’s one thing that their motto showed us was that Foxes never quit. Leicester won four straight matches in April. This included a last gasp winner from Jamie Vardy against West Bromwich Albion, as well as a 1-0 victory at relegation rivals Burnley. These crucial wins moved them out of the bottom three.
The month would end with a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, who would go on to win the league. Leicester still remained out of the drop zone, but only on goal difference and by the fact 18th placed Sunderland has played a game less.
But the East Midlands side made up for the defeat to the would-be-champions – they would win their next two games, against Southampton and Newcastle.
Then on the penultimate game of the season, a 0-0 draw at Sunderland ensured Leicester safety. Capping off a truly remarkable escape act and one of the great moments in The Foxes history.
3. Dalian Atkinson’s Selhurst Park Special
In October 1992, Aston Villa travelled to Selhurst Park to play Wimbledon. In the 77th minute, Dalian Atkinson picked up from the ball from near the halfway line and went on a solo run.
Wimbledon, known for their arguably rough tactics – which gave them the nickname, “The Crazy Gang” – tried taking down Atkinson. However, he remained on his feet and broke away from the South London’s sides players.
With three Wimbledon players around him, the Villa centre-forward decided to have a crack at goal from 25 yards out. He chipped the ball over the head of the Dons’ keeper Hans Segars and found the back of the net.
The goal was followed up with an iconic celebration. The Shrewsbury-born Striker ran to the Villa contingent, put his arms out and shrugged his shoulders.
Dalian Atkinson’s acute finish was voted as Match of the Day’s goal of the season for 92/93. It was one of the great moments for Dalian Atkinson, who sadly passed away in 2016.
4. Bale’s Brilliant Season
Gareth Bale had an astonishing 2012/13 campaign for Tottenham. He scored 21 goals that year which included some picture-book goals and unforgettable moments.
This included a late screamer against West Ham at Upton Park, which gave Spurs all three points, the opening goal in the north London Derby, and a 25 yard wonder goal against Sunderland on the final day of the season.
His performances for Spurs earned him a hat-trick of personal honours. He won the PFA’s Young Player and Player’s Player award. Bale also won the Football Writers’ Association footballer of the year.
Despite, an outstanding season, the Welshman could only help Spurs to a 5th placed finish. They missed out on Champions League football to arch rivals Arsenal by a single point.
That summer, Bale said goodbye to England and hola to Spain, as he moved to Real Madrid for £85 Million.
5. High Fives for Chelsea, But Lessons Learned for United.
In October 1999, Chelsea humiliated the League and European Champions, Manchester United, 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were somewhat of a bogey side to United in the early years of Premier League era, and their good form against Alex Ferguson’s side continued that evening.
Gianluca Vialli’s side were 2-0 up within the first 16 minutes thanks to headers from Gus Poyet and Chris Sutton. A frustrated Nicky Butt was then sent off for lashing out following a challenge on Chelsea skipper Dennis Wise.
The Blues pounced on that extra man advantage and so did Poyet, according to Sky commentator Martin Tyler. Goalkeeper Massimo Taibi parried Frank Lebouef’s shot into the feet of the Uruguayan to make it 3-0.
A Henning Berg own goal alongside a goal from Jody Morris with nine minutes left sealed Chelsea’s 5-0 victory. One of United’s most embarrassing defeats in the Premier League era.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
