The Premier League, renowned for its unpredictable drama and excitement, has witnessed some of football’s most jaw-dropping moments. From underdog triumphs to shocking relegations, these moments have defined the league's reputation as the most unpredictable competition in the world. Here, we look back at some of the biggest shocks in Premier League history.
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Leicester City’s Title Win (2015-16)
No list of Premier League shocks would be complete without Leicester City’s fairy-tale run to the title in the 2015-16 season. Starting the campaign with 5000-1 odds to win the league, Leicester defied logic, dominating a league that included giants like Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United. Led by manager Claudio Ranieri and propelled by Jamie Vardy’s record-breaking goal-scoring streak and Riyad Mahrez’s brilliance, the Foxes finished 10 points clear at the top. This underdog story remains one of the greatest achievements in football history.
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Manchester United’s 6-1 Loss to Manchester City (2011-2012)
When Manchester United hosted their noisy neighbors Manchester City at Old Trafford in October 2011, few could have predicted the humiliating result that would follow as City was still in their developmental stages and far from the English juggernauts they are today. Despite that City annihilated United 6-1 in front of their own fans, with Mario Balotelli famously revealing his “Why Always Me?” shirt after scoring. The result marked a power shift in Manchester and was a precursor to City’s dominance in the coming years.
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Portsmouth’s Great Escape (2005-06)
In April 2006, Portsmouth were seemingly destined for relegation. They were in 19th place, seven points adrift of safety with nine games left. However, under Harry Redknapp’s management, the team pulled off one of the most miraculous escapes in Premier League history. Winning six of their last nine matches, they secured survival on the penultimate day of the season.
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Liverpool’s 7-2 Loss to Aston Villa (2020-2021)
Reigning champions Liverpool were expected to dominate when they faced Aston Villa early in the 2020-21 season. Instead, they suffered a humiliating 7-2 defeat, with Ollie Watkins scoring a hat-trick. It was Liverpool’s worst loss in 57 years and a stark reminder of how unpredictable the Premier League can be.
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Chelsea’s 5-2 Loss to West Bromwich Albion (2020-2021)
Chelsea, flying high under Thomas Tuchel, faced relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion in April 2021. Despite the odds heavily favoring the Blues, West Brom stunned them with a 5-2 victory at Stamford Bridge. It was a result no one saw coming and one of the most shocking defeats in Chelsea’s modern history.
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Sunderland’s Escape and Derby’s Nightmare (2007-08)
The 2007-08 season was a tale of extremes. Sunderland, written off by many as relegation certainties, mounted a stunning survival campaign under Roy Keane, finishing 15th. On the other hand, Derby County endured a nightmare season, managing just 11 points—the lowest in Premier League history. Their contrasting fortunes epitomized the league’s capacity for surprises.
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Arsenal’s “Invincibles” Streak (2003-04)
While Arsenal were a strong side in the early 2000s, no one foresaw them going an entire league season unbeaten. Under Arsène Wenger, the Gunners played a breathtaking brand of football, with Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and Patrick Vieira leading the way. Their unbeaten 38-game run shocked the football world and has yet to be matched in the Premier League era and has gone down as one of the greatest team performances in Premier League history.
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Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle Implosion (1995-96)
Newcastle United, managed by Kevin Keegan, looked destined to win the 1995-96 Premier League title. At one point, they held a 12-point lead over Manchester United. However, a dramatic collapse saw them lose their grip on the title, with United overtaking them to win the league. Keegan’s infamous "I would love it" rant remains etched in Premier League folklore.
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Wigan Athletic’s Relegation and FA Cup Win (2013)
Wigan Athletic pulled off an extraordinary double shock in 2013. First, they defeated Manchester City to win the FA Cup in one of the competition’s greatest upsets. Just days later, they were relegated from the Premier League, becoming the first team to win the FA Cup and go down in the same season. Their contrasting fortunes highlighted the highs and lows of football.
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Southampton’s 9-0 Losses (2019 and 2021)
Losing 9-0 once is shocking enough, but Southampton managed this unwanted feat twice. First, Leicester City humiliated them at St Mary’s in October 2019. Then, Manchester United inflicted the same scoreline at Old Trafford in February 2021 for the second time in just 2 years. These results stand as the joint-heaviest defeats in Premier League history.
