Top 10 Biggest Premier League Upsets of All Time

Industry Insights 

• PremierLeagueNow highlights that underdogs consistently rise in high-stakes matches, producing historical upsets like Barnsley (1997) and Burnley (2021).
• Newly promoted sides such as Hull City (2008) and Huddersfield (2017) have historically delivered shock results, challenging elite clubs.
• Some upsets had title-race or relegation implications, e.g., Blackburn vs Manchester United (2011) or Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (2018).
• Modern analytics and pre-match odds amplify perception, but football remains unpredictable, reinforcing the league’s global appeal.

Barnsley 1–0 Liverpool (1997) – The Miracle at Anfield

On 22 November 1997, newly promoted Barnsley pulled off one of the most shocking upsets in Premier League history, beating Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, a result that came almost out of nowhere. Almost as surprising, if we were to compare it today, to Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup. For a club in their first season in the top flight, it was a result that completely surprised the British public because Liverpool were the overwhelming favourites, a team with European ambitions at the time, while Barnsley were struggling to stay in the Premier League.

Barnsley were impeccable in defence. Ashley Ward scored the decisive goal in the 35th minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse after Liverpool failed to clear a cross. From then on, it was a siege. Goalkeeper Lars Leese produced the performance of his career, making save after save to deny Michael Owen, Karl-Heinz Riedle and Steve McManaman.

Liverpool dominated possession, recording over 20 attempts on goal, but Barnsley's compact defence held firm until the end. The atmosphere at Anfield turned from anticipation to disbelief as the minutes ticked by.

For Barnsley, it marked their greatest Premier League moment, for Liverpool, a humbling reminder that no team, no matter how strong, is unassailable in the most chaotic arena of English football.

Bradford 1–0 Liverpool (2000) – The Day Survival Defied All Odds

In second place is Liverpool again, but this time not at Anfield. On 14 May 2000, Bradford City produced one of the biggest upsets in Premier League history, beating Liverpool 1-0 at Valley Parade, ensuring their survival in the top flight on the final day of the season. Liverpool, meanwhile, was chasing a Champions League place and needed only a draw to qualify. Everything pointed to an away win, but football drama had other plans.

The hero of the day was David Wetherall, whose magnificent header from a Gunnar Halle corner in the 12th minute sent Valley Parade into a frenzy. From then on, Bradford defended as if their Premier League life depended on it, and it did. Goalkeeper Matt Clarke was imperial, making some indescribable saves from Michael Owen and Emile Heskey, while John Dreyer and Stuart McCall were Gattuso and Busquets for a day in a midfield that frustrated Liverpool's pace.

As the final whistle blew, the Valley Parade stadium erupted. Bradford pulled off a footballing miracle, holding their own against all odds, while Liverpool's missed chances cost them a place in the Champions League.

Arsenal 1–2 Hull City (2008) – The Roar That Shocked the Emirates

On 27 September 2008, newly promoted Hull City stunned the football world by beating Arsenal 2–1 at the Emirates Stadium, pulling off one of the Premier League's most unexpected upsets. Arsenal, full of stars such as Cesc Fàbregas, Robin van Persie, and Theo Walcott, had been unbeaten at home for 17 months and were expected to beat Phil Brown's humble Hull side. Not only did the world expect them to beat them, but they expected them to do so by a scoreline of 3–0, 4–0, but it was the complete opposite.

The match started as expected, with Paul McShane's own goal giving Arsenal a 1–0 lead early in the second half. But instead of collapsing, Hull responded with courage and tactical discipline. In the 62nd minute, Geovanni silenced the Emirates with a stunning 30-yard shot that sailed past Manuel Almunia, one of the goals of the season. Just four minutes later, Daniel Cousin headed home from a corner to make it 2–1, leaving Arsenal in shock.

Hull defended heroically for the rest of the game, with Michael Turner and Boaz Myhill denying everything Arsenal threw at them. The final whistle marked a seismic moment, Hull’s first away win against a ‘Big Four’ club.

Arsenal’s easy-going approach to the game cost them dearly.

Arsenal 2–3 West Brom (2010) – The Day the Gunners Fell Apart

If Liverpool are 1st and 2nd, Arsenal are 3rd and 4th. Okay, it’s not a top you’d want to be in, but even good teams have their ups and downs. On September 25, 2010, West Bromwich Albion stunned the Emirates Stadium with a dramatic 3-2 win over Arsenal, a result that ranks among the biggest upsets in the Premier League. Arsenal were chasing the title and boasted stars like Cesc Fàbregas, Samir Nasri, and Andrey Arshavin, while West Brom had just been promoted and were expected to fight off relegation.

The shock began after a dramatic first half in which Manuel Almunia saved a Chris Brunt penalty, seemingly setting the stage for Arsenal’s usual victory. But the second half descended into chaos. Peter Odemwingie opened the scoring in the 50th minute, taking advantage of sloppy defending. Moments later, Gonzalo Jara doubled the lead with a simple finish, and Jerome Thomas made it 3-0 after a brilliant counterattack. Arsenal's defence, usually organized under Arsène Wenger, completely fell apart. It was completely unexpected that Arsenal were 3-0 down at the Emirates, a complete shock, especially from a newly promoted side.

Samir Nasri's late goals offered a brief glimmer of hope, but discipline and tactical organization kept West Brom in the lead until the end. It was their first away win in 19 Premier League games and a statement that no team, not even Arsenal at home, was invincible.

Manchester United 2–3 Blackburn (2011) – Ferguson’s Birthday Shock

If this match had been played in the 1990s, it would have been a title match and not on this list. But on New Year's Eve, on 31 December 2011, Blackburn Rovers pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in the Premier League, beating Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford, on Sir Alex Ferguson's 70th birthday. United were top of the table and unbeaten in 10 games, while Blackburn were bottom, having won just two games all season. The odds were completely one-sided, but football had other plans. Could it be that United was thinking about New Year's Eve dinner?

Blackburn took the lead in the first half when Yakubu converted a penalty after Dimitar Berbatov had fouled him in the box. The Nigerian striker then doubled his lead shortly after half-time, finishing after a defensive error. United hit back through Berbatov, who scored twice in quick succession to level the score at 2-2. But against the run of play, Grant Hanley rose highest from a corner in the 80th minute to head home the winner after David de Gea had misjudged a cross.

Old Trafford was stunned. The league leaders had fallen to the bottom on a day meant for celebration. The result not only disrupted United's title-winning momentum but also reminded fans why the Premier League's unpredictability is unparalleled. And they probably had a more miserable New Year's Eve dinner, too.