- The Premier League has seen 12 incredible comebacks this season.
- In the seventh round of the Premier League, there were three matches with comebacks.
Top 6 Premier League Comebacks in First Seven Rounds
Manchester City vs. Ipswich
No one expected Manchester City to fall behind at home. Ipswich did just that. The player who scored first for Ipswich was Sam Szmodics. He found the net just 7 minutes into the game, putting Ipswich ahead 1-0.
However, their lead didn’t last long. Just nine minutes later, Erling Haaland scored a hat trick, netting three goals in four minutes. This helped City take the lead at 3-1.
In the end, Manchester City won 4-1 with this stunning comeback.
Bournemouth vs. Everton
The first half ended without any goals. But shortly after the second half began, Everton scored two goals in just seven minutes.
For the next thirty minutes, neither team scored again. Most people thought Everton would win the match.
However, in the 87th minute, Bournemouth started their comeback. Antoine Semenyo, Lewis Cook, and Luis Sinisterra scored in quick succession just before the end of the match. Luis Sinisterra scored almost at the last moment, securing the comeback win for Bournemouth.
This result was shocking. Not only Everton, but everyone was surprised that Bournemouth could score three goals in the final minutes.
Did Everton relax thinking victory was secure? We may never know.
Everton vs. Aston Villa
Everton took an early lead, going 2-0 up within the first thirty minutes against Aston Villa. However, just nine minutes later, Aston Villa began their comeback.
Ollie Watkins scored twice in the 36th and 58th minutes, leveling the score. Then, in the 76th minute, Jhon Durán scored again, allowing Aston Villa to win with a stunning comeback.
Manchester City vs. Fulham
This was the second time Manchester City found themselves trailing at home. Andreas Pereira from Fulham scored in the 26th minute to give his team a 1-0 lead.
While Erling Haaland didn’t score a hat trick this time, he still netted three goals later, turning the score around to 3-1. City might have held onto that lead until the end, but Rodrigo Muniz scored late, making the match exciting.
Arsenal vs. Southampton
This match was similar to Manchester City’s comebacks. The away team scored first, but the home team responded with three goals to take the lead.
In the first half, no one scored. A few minutes into the second half, Southampton’s Cameron Archer found the net. Three minutes later, Kai Havertz scored to equalize. Ten minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli scored again, giving Arsenal a 2-1 lead. Bukayo Saka scored the final goal before the match ended, leading Arsenal to a 3-1 comeback victory.
Brighton vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Brighton’s comeback against Spurs was another shocking match.
In the first half, Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson and James Maddison scored two goals, putting them ahead. But Brighton fought back in the second half. Yankuba Minteh scored in the 48th minute, then followed up with two more goals, finishing the match 3-2 for a stunning comeback win.
Brighton’s fightback surprised everyone, especially Spurs’ coach, Ange Postecoglou.
What Does it Take to Achieve Comebacks?
First of all, a good mindset is crucial. Being behind doesn’t mean you will lose the match. Keeping a positive attitude and adjusting tactics while staying in sync with teammates can determine if a team can pull off a comeback.
In addition to mindset, strong player skills are essential. If a team has a good mindset but lacks the talent to back it up, a comeback will remain a dream.
Another reason for recent comebacks is the increase in added time. Matches are lasting longer, giving teams more chances to change the game. This often leads to more goals, increasing the likelihood of a comeback.
Moreover, fewer teams focus on solid defensive play, opting instead for high pressing and exploiting mistakes in the back. This can make leading teams less vigilant, allowing opponents more chances to equalize or take the lead.
Since the 2022-23 season, teams can now make five substitutions. This gives teams trailing behind more opportunities to bring in fresh attacking players and change the game.
Historical Comebacks
The beauty of football is that you never know who will win until the last moment. The Premier League has seen many comebacks throughout its history. Here are what I consider the ten most thrilling comebacks in the league’s past.
- Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal, 2010-11
- Man City 3-2 QPR, 2011-12
- Crystal Palace 3-3 Liverpool, 2013-14
- Leicester 5-3 Man Utd, 2014-15
- Norwich 4-5 Liverpool, 2015-16
- Wolves 4-3 Leicester, 2003-04
- Liverpool 3-3 Man Utd, 1993-94
- Man City 2-3 Fulham, 2007-08
- Everton 3-2 Wimbledon, 1993-94
- Newcastle 4-3 Leicester, 1996-97
