Most shocking results in Premier League history.
- Manchester United were on the receiving end of 6-1 thrashing at home to Manchester City in 2011
The Premier League has played host to a number of crazy games through the years.
Fans have witnessed 11 goals in a single match, while some of the best teams in England have been on the wrong end of humiliating results.
When it comes to the most shocking, there is a catalogue of fixtures to consider from Manchester United’s 6-3 loss to Southampton in 1996 to Arsenal beating Tottenham 5-4 at White Hart Lane in 2004.
With the Premier League more competitive than ever, LiveScore have put together the top five most astonishing scorelines.
2. Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal (2011)
Manchester United have been involved in several high-scoring fixtures in the Premier League era, including this one in August 2011.
After years of tense encounters between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger’s opposing sides, this one turned out to be a thumping — the Gunners slumping to a 8-2 loss.
Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick to take home the match ball, Ashley Young grabbed himself a brace, while Nani, Danny Welbeck and Ji-sung Park were all on target on a bleak day for the visitors — their worst defeat since 1896.
The North Londoners were able to raid the transfer market — including the signing of now-manager Mikel Arteta — to get their season back on track, and went on to secure Champions League qualification.
Meanwhile, the hosts ultimately lost their title to rivals Manchester City on the final day.
3. Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool (2020)
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool came to Villa Park in October 2020 as defending Premier League champions but without a number of key players.
Aston Villa, buoyed by escaping relegation on the last day of the previous season, held no punches as they provided a scintillating attacking display.
Summer signing Ollie Watkins netted a first-half hat-trick, while Jack Grealish was involved in five goals — assisting three and netting two — as Dean Smith’s side completed a remarkable 7-2 win.
The Reds never managed to get their title defence back on course — ending the season in third — while Villa secured a mid-table finish, with star man Grealish earning a big-money move to Man City.
4. Southampton 0-9 Leicester (2019)
Leicester equalled United’s record for the biggest Premier League victory, when they put nine past 10-man Southampton on a rainy night at St Mary’s in October 2019.
Both Jamie Vardy and Ayoze Perez recorded hat-tricks, with Ben Chilwell, Youri Tielemans and James Maddison all adding to the Saints’ woes.
Despite the loss, Ralph Hasenhuttl kept his job on the South Coast and even survived another 9-0 defeat at Old Trafford the following season.
Vardy meanwhile ended the season as the league’s top scorer, firing the Foxes to Europa League qualification.
4. Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City (2011)
Less than two months after their 8-2 win, the Red Devils were on the wrong side of another sensational scoreline at Old Trafford.
Mario Balotelli broke the deadlock — exhibiting his “Why Always Me?” T-shirt — before scoring a second after the break.
Sergio Aguero and Darren Fletcher then exchanged strikes as the game went into the closing minutes at 3-1.
But a brace from Edin Dzeko — either side of a David Silva finish — gave Roberto Mancini’s men a statement 6-1 win.
The game proved a vital victory for City, signalling a power shift in Manchester which ultimately resulted in their first Premier League title.
6. Portsmouth 7-4 Reading (2007)
While other games selected in this list had great drama, none contained as many goals as this encounter at Fratton Park in September 2007.
Portsmouth and Reading played out an enthralling 11-goal thriller, with Benjani’s hat-trick the highlight of a topsy-turvy affair.
Six goals were scored in the final 20 minutes, with nine different players finding the back of the net.
The result proved detrimental for Reading, who went down that season, while Pompey finished a memorable campaign by lifting the FA Cup.
