Highest Scoring Matches in the Premier League

The Premier League is renowned as the best league in the world for a number of reasons but perhaps the biggest is the box office entertainment it provides. High intensity games, raucous crowds, intense rivalries, tight matches, and of course, goals. Great, high scoring games with high octane drama keep the crowds rushing back, and the Premier League has had many over the years. Memorable, goal laden fixtures are what we all crave and look back on so fondly and here we take a look at some of the biggest wins and highest scoring games in Premier League history.

Note that we have a separate feature on the Biggest Clean Sheet Wins in the Premier League so if that’s what you are looking for be sure to check that out too.

Portsmouth 7 – 4 Reading
The Highest Scoring Premier League Fixture

At the time of writing, two sides who had not been in the league for nearly two decades between them hold the title for the highest scoring game in the league’s near thirty-year history. Portsmouth and Reading in 2007 played out a thrilling 7-4 game, with Portsmouth the victors. Fratton Park saw an electrifying, action packed 90 minutes that also saw a record nine different goal scorers during one match.

A hat-trick from Benjani helped Harry Redknapp’s men to a commanding win. Benjani though would leave Pompey to go to Man City at the end of the season, and Harry Redknapp is known to regale the story at many a juncture whilst on media duties. Before then, the Zimbabwean was instrumental in Portsmouth’s performances and helped create this small piece of history, the game with the most goals in Premier League history.

West Bromwich Albion 5 – 5 Manchester United
Ferguson Bows Out in Style

The 19th of May 2013 was always going to be a monumental day in Premier League history as Sir Alex Ferguson took to the dugout for the final time. However, it was made all the more memorable as it ended in a stunning 5-5 draw that even seemed to enthuse the outgoing Scot. This is currently the highest scoring draw in the history of the competition and what a game it was.

Future United striker Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick for West Brom in an unlikely result that thrilled onlookers. With the title wrapped up already, and the Baggies comfortably safe from relegation, sitting high in eighth place, the pressure was off. That allowed for the defensive abandon we saw and allowed attacking football to flourish. Three goals in the last 10 minutes for West Brom proved ironic as ‘Fergie Time’ seemingly worked in favour of Sir Alex’s opposition in his last game.

Arsenal 7 – 3 Newcastle United
Gunners Shoot Down Magpies

Arsenal have had happier memories in enthralling games though, and the Gunners against Newcastle in particular has produced many a good game. Newcastle’s four-goal comeback springs to mind of course. The Magpies had been 4-0 down at St. James’ Park but stunned the north London outfit with a second half salvo resulting in a dramatic equaliser by Cheik Tiote.

Eight goals equally shared isn’t a bad afternoon of football but the highest scoring saw game in this fixture saw Arsenal win by seven goals to three at the Emirates in December 2012. Newcastle had finished fifth the season prior and only five points behind Arsenal, but the sides were a class apart during this festive fixture. Theo Walcott bagged three goals at a time when many had been doubting his ability. By the end of the game, comparisons to Thierry Henry came pouring in. Arsene Wenger’s men were able to call upon the talents of Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and a youthful and exciting Jack Wilshere. The Gunners played some super football, leaving Alan Pardew’s side on the wrong end of a one-sided result despite their positive opening endeavours.

Manchester United 8 – 2 Arsenal
United Run Riot Against Gunners

Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, not many games have shocked onlookers quite like the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal at Old Trafford. Manchester United went into the game as favourites, but the implosion of Wenger’s men signalled a once fierce rivalry dwindling to insignificance.

Much has been noted of the line-ups in retrospect, with Arsenal including the likes of Johan Djourou and Carl Jenkinson. Those two not quite bearing comparison to the likes of Sol Campbell, Tony Adams, or Ashley Cole of yesteryear. The depleted side were torn to shreds by a potent United side, with Wayne Rooney bagging three goals, all from set pieces. Ashley Young scored from two long range efforts, and Nani expertly dinked the ball over a hapless Wojciech Szczesny in a forgettable afternoon for the Gunners.

Tottenham Hotspur 9 – 1 Wigan
Five-Star Defoe Hammers Wigan

This game holds the record of being the biggest PL win that wasn’t “to nil”, as Wigan were shown just how tough life in the top flight can be. In November 2009 they travelled south and we can only imagine that trip was rather more enjoyable than the return journey following this embarrassing drubbing by Spurs.

This was truly one of the most amazing games in the history of English football and certainly in contention for the craziest second half ever. Peter Crouch opened the scoring after nine minutes but the home fans had to wait until the 51st for the second goal. After 50 minutes it was 1-0, after 57 it was 3-1 and then the floodgates really opened. Jermain Defoe completed a hat-trick between the 51st and 58th minutes and added two more as Spurs ran riot. They didn’t stop until injury time either, Niko Kranjcar completing the rout in the 94th minute.

Tottenham Hotspur 6 – 4 Reading
Reading Come Unstuck…Again

Two months to the day after losing 7 – 4 to Portsmoth, Reading played their part in another free scoring match, the manager’s work on their defence clearly not having much impact! Again, they were left unstuck. On this occasion it was against Tottenham Hotspur and they went down 6-4 at White Hart Lane. The game is particularly remembered for a four-goal display in a typically classy showing from Dimitar Berbatov. Both sides had a reputation for being free scoring, entertaining outfits and they did not disappoint. Seven goals were scored in the space of 20 minutes in a hugely compelling second half.

Southampton 0 – 9 Leicester City
Manchester United 9 – 0 Southampton
Saints Lose by 9 Twice

Nine goals to no reply, that is quite some hammering. To be on the receiving end of one such humiliation would be rather demoralising, never mind the twice that Ralph Hasenhüttl and Southampton have suffered it over two consecutive seasons.

The first of the defeats came against Leicester in October 2019. Brendan Rodgers’ side took advantage of an early sending off and were clinical in front of goal. They did not celebrate each goal as they went in, with Foxes players acutely aware of the potential 10-goal record on the cards. They fell agonisingly short, but still inflicted a huge blow to Southampton.

The Saints were floundering in the league and the defeat piled on the pressure further. In an interesting turn of events, this defeat would provide a springboard for Southampton to rally and regain some good form. That form carried into the next season where Southampton would, albeit briefly, sit atop the Premier League.

However, their leaky defence would again come unstuck, this time against high flying Manchester United on the 2nd February 2021. A sending off in the opening stages raised alarm bells for Saints fans and United were ruthless in front of goal against an already depleted Southampton side. A further late sending off dealt another hammer blow as the nine men lost by nine, many United fans unhappy they couldn’t quite make it a record 10-0.

Aston Villa 7 – 2 Liverpool
Villa Steamroll the Champions

There have been a plethora of thrillers and truly shocking results down the years, the most recent of which came in the first half of the 2020-21 season. Aston Villa, scrapping to stay in the division the previous season, defeated the previous campaign’s runaway leaders Liverpool 7-2 in a result that shocked all onlookers, including many of the Reds on the pitch.

The effervescent Jack Grealish was at the heart of Aston Villa’s efforts with two goals and three assists, and Ollie Watkins came of age as he made the step up from the Championship, scoring three goals against Liverpool’s star-studded defence. The later loss of Virgil Van Dijk was feared to be felt strongly and has been blamed for much of the Reds’ malaise in their title defence. However, it should be remembered that he played in this match and his presence seemed largely inconsequential, as Aston Villa marauded forwards with ease. It was a result that validated Villa’s progression, and has been the major highlight of what looks set to be a successful season for the Villains.

Norwich City 4 – 5 Liverpool
Last Minute Drama at Carrow Road

In another 5-4 thriller, Norwich hosted Liverpool in another drama filled, frankly crazy game of football. Carrow Road hosted a Liverpool team recently taken over by Jurgen Klopp, whilst the Canaries themselves were in the midst of a daunting relegation battle. Liverpool were at the beginning of a revolution under the German boss, but all goal scorers on that day in Norfolk were ultimately league winners four years later (Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Adam Lallana).

The game was end to end throughout, with the lead constantly changing hands. Alex Neil thought his side had rescued a vital point in the 92nd minute through Sebastian Bassong. However, a quite miraculous 95th minute winner from Lallana sparked enormous celebration in a massive moment for Liverpool, but the home side were left bewildered as to how they had lost the game. Fans at the ground, at home, and abroad were treated to a spectacular game of football. That game in January 2016 epitomises why we all watch football and always crave more matches that capture the imagination like only a high octane, free scoring game can do.

Tottenham Hotspur 4 – 5 Arsenal
Goals Galore in North London Derby

For nine goals to be scored but only one goal to separate the sides seems unlikely, but it has occurred often throughout Premier League history. During Arsenal’s “Invincible” season, their defence was rock solid. Cue next season and Chelsea took that mantle, Arsenal being much more porous, making for some excellent games involving the Gunners.

The north London Derby at White Hart Lane provided excitement aplenty, with Arsenal edging out 5-4 victors in this thrilling affair that saw Martin Jol take charge of his first ever Spurs match. Familiar names like Robert Pires, Ledley King, and Thierry Henry found themselves on the scoresheet, alongside a surprise goal scorer in Noureddine Naybet, who scored the only Spurs goal of his relatively short spell at the north London club.

Southampton 6 – 3 Manchester United
United Undone at The Dell

A huge shock would occur at the Dell in 1996. Ferguson’s Man United would go on to win the league in May, but October brought astonishment at not just the result, but the manner of it. Saints would win 6-3, scoring early through on-loan Israeli Eyal Berkovic, later of Man City, and then capitalising on a Roy Keane sending off. Talisman Matt Le Tissier made his mark with a typically well executed finish, chipping Peter Schmeichel from outside the box. Southampton survived the drop by one point in 1996-97, with this result ultimately proving pivotal in that escape.