Arsenal put six past West Ham at the London Stadium but that result doesn’t quite make it onto the list of the biggest defeats in Premier League history.
Despite being the most competitive league in the world, every now and then, one team completely outclasses another. Here are some of the heaviest defeats in the English top-flight.
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Man Utd 8 -2 Arsenal – August 2011
Manchester United inflicted Arsenal’s biggest defeat in 115 years and the worst beating of Arsène Wenger’s 15-year reign in just the third game of the 2011/2012 season.
Goals from Danny Welbeck, Nani, Park Ji-Sung, Ashley Young, and a Wayne Rooney hat-trick sent the visitors back to the Emirates with their tails firmly between their legs.
The result would count for little as the Red Devils would be pipped to the title on the final day of the season but the nature of the defeat would live long in the memory of both Arsenal and Manchester United supporters for years to come.
Middlesbrough 8-1 Manchester City – May 2008
For Boro, this was the biggest win in their 132 year history against a Manchester City side who were about to become one of the most dominant forces in the Premier League.
Two goals from Stewart Downing and Afonso Alves in the first half set the tone for what was to come and after Downing and Alves netted a brace each in the 58th and 60th minute, Boro ran riot, scoring at will—with goals from Adam Johnson, Fabio Rochemback and Jeremie Aliadiere.
City managed a consolation goal in the 87th minute through Elano, but City’s fate was sealed when Alves completed his hat-trick to end the proceedings.
Nottingham Forest 1-8 Manchester United – February 1999
In Manchester United’s famous treble wining season this result is one of the more memorable in what was a campaign like no other.
Dwight Yorke opened the scoring for Alex Ferguson’s men after two minutes before Alan Rogers equalized five minutes later, but United would run riot in the second half with Yorke scoring his second and Andy Cole scoring a brace.
With less than ten minutes to go, Sir Alex Ferguson unleashed super-sub Ole Gunnar Solskjær who went on a goal spree—scoring four in the time remaining to cap one of the most emphatic defeats in Premier League history.
Newcastle United 8-0 Sheffield Wednesday – September 1999
This was the late Sir Bobby Robson’s first game in charge as the Magpies’ boss and it would be a day to remember for everyone on Tyneside.
Aaron Hughes set the tone, while Kieron Dyer and Gary Speed also got their names on the scoresheet that day.
But it was Alan Shearer who stole the headlines, scoring five on the day, having been recalled to the first team by Robson after previous manager, Ruud Gullit, had decided to leave him out of the starting line-up.
Tottenham 9-1 Wigan Athletic – November 2009
When Peter Crouch put Spurs 1-0 up after just nine minutes, the writing was on the wall for hapless Wigan, though most of the action wouldn’t take place until after half-time.
Aaron Lennon, David Bentley and Niko Kranjcar all got on the score sheet after the break as Spurs put their opponents to the sword.
But the game will be best remembered for Jermain Defoe’s exploits that day, scoring a seven-minute hat-trick and five in total – becoming just the third player in Premier League history to achieve that feat.
Liverpool 9-0 Bournemouth – August 2022
Amidst the chaos of a poor start to the season, Liverpool well and truly kickstarted their 22/23 campaign against Bournemouth at Anfield.
Liverpool were two up within six minutes and five up at half-time thanks to goals from Luis Diaz, Harvey Elliot, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Roberto Firmino, and Virgil van Dijk.
Game over. Surely Liverpool will take their foot off the gas. Of course not. A Chris Mepham own goal started the second half as it meant to go on, with Diaz, Firmino, and Fabio Carvalho all adding to the tally.
Liverpool equalled their biggest ever top-flight victory and Bournemouth manager Scott Parker was relieved of his duties just days later.
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