From goalkeepers scoring within 14 seconds to a beach ball providing a crucial touch, here are 10 of the craziest moments in the history of the Premier League.
Goalkeeper scores from his own box inside the first 15 seconds
Stoke City ‘keeper Asmir Begović scored a goal from his own box against Southampton back in 2013. The goalkeeper received a pass back after his side won possession from kick-off. The Bosnian then cleared the ball high up the pitch and the long clearance went over the heads of every outfield player, with the bounce catching out Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc. The ball found its way into the Saints’ net and in just 12 seconds, Stoke City were 1-0 up thanks to their goalkeeper.
02/11 – On this day in 2013, Asmir Begovic scored after 13 seconds for Stoke against Southampton, becoming the fifth goalkeeper to score a Premier League goal. Launch. pic.twitter.com/zt6bFQr9gH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 2, 2019
Roy Keane clashes with Patrick Vieira in the Highbury tunnel
The Patrick Vieira vs Roy Keane controversy in the Highbury tunnel was something to behold. Back in 2005, before Manchester United defeated Arsenal 4-2, tempers flared between both captains as Keane appeared to be furious at Vieira in the tunnel prior to the game.
The referee intervened and appeared to tell Keane to relax and ‘leave it in the tunnel’ before they went onto the pitch. Keane appeared to tell Vieira, “it’s the same with you every week, pretending you’re a nice guy. See you out there!”
Darren Bent’s beach ball goal vs Liverpool
In October 2009, Liverpool travelled to the Stadium of Light. An away fan threw a beach ball onto the pitch and in front of goalkeeper Pepe Reina’s net. Sunderland striker Darren Bent took a shot that bounced off the beach ball, deceiving Reina and sending the Black Cats 1-0 up. The goal is spoken about to this day, and it’ll go down in the history of the Premier League as one of the craziest goals ever seen.
ON THIS DAY: In 2009, a beach ball scored via a Darren Bent assist vs. Liverpool at the Stadium of Light.
???? + ???? = ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/GavqgcEUIo
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 17, 2017
The quickest goal in Premier League history
Southampton’s Shane Long scored the fastest-ever Premier League goal, as the striker found the back of the net after only 7.69s away at Watford. A one-on-one with goalkeeper Ben Foster saw Long chip the ball over the now YouTube star and it saw the Saints go 1-0 at Vicarage Road.
7.69 – On this day in 2019, Shane Long’s goal for Southampton v Watford at Vicarage Road was the quickest scored in the history of the Premier League (7.69 secs). Rapid.@rezla looks into some facts & stats around the top 10 fastest goals in PL history.https://t.co/aOkZngQ0PR pic.twitter.com/n5Ez6G89EB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 23, 2020
Manchester United fans protest against owners and get their match vs Liverpool postponed
In May 2021, Manchester United fans protested against the club’s owners, the Glazers, and got their fixture vs Liverpool postponed. Furious Man United fans let their thoughts be known about the hierarchy of the club. The United fans managed to gain access to Old Trafford and the pitch where supporters sang chants against the club’s ownership model and due to safety concerns the match was rescheduled.
Manchester United fans protest against the Glazer family, the American owners of Manchester United, before their English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, May 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Jon Super) @ManUtd @AP_Images pic.twitter.com/eEdUe2cHQv
— Jon – Super Photo (@super_jon) May 14, 2021
Lampard comes back to haunt Chelsea when he joined Manchester City
In 2014, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard (who was on loan at Manchester City from New York City FC) scored against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. In the 85th minute of the game, the midfielder’s shot found its way into the back of Thibaut Courtois’ net. Out of respect for his former club, Lampard didn’t celebrate his equalising goal but it seemed like it was somehow strangely written in the stars.
Luis Suarez’s bite of Branislav Ivanović
Luis Suarez biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanović is one of the craziest things to ever happen in the Premier League. In 2013, the incident occurred during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea. The striker grabbed the defender’s arm and proceeded to chomp at him. This wasn’t the last time Suarez did this either, as he also bit Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.
Emmanuel Adebayor runs the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of his old fans
Emmanuel Adebayor’s goal for Manchester City vs Arsenal in 2009 was very iconic. Less so for the strike and more for the celebration. The striker sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the travelling Arsenal fans, who adored him during his three-and-a-half-year stay with ‘The Gunners’. His actions did see a fine from the FA. To add salt into the Arsenal fans’ wounds, City won the match 4-2.
Chelsea wear Coventry City kit
On April 9th 1997, Chelsea travelled to Highfield Road to take on Coventry City. Chelsea turned up to the stadium with only one kit, their home kit, which caused a clash between the shirts. The Chelsea manager at the time Ruud Gullit claimed the home side should change their shirt but they didn’t budge. Therefore, Gullit’s side wore… Coventry’s kit instead.
It’s 26 years to the day since Chelsea’s kit man forgot their away strip, forcing them to wear Coventry’s second shirts.
Forty year old Sky Blues’ player/manager Gordon Strachan also picked himself for the match, which his side won 3-1.
An eventful night at Highfield Road. pic.twitter.com/VCt65DOdLl
— Stu’s Football Flashbacks (@stusfootyflash) April 9, 2023
The infamous Robert Pires & Thierry Henry penalty
After 18 minutes of an Arsenal home match against Manchester City in October 2005, Robert Pires stepped up to take a penalty. The winger went to roll the ball to his left to play in Thierry Henry but the penalty taker miskicked the ball, seeing the away side awarded a free-kick, with confusion reigning all round.
