Top nine most memorable games in Premier League Boxing Day history

These games have stood out on Premier League Boxing Day.

A mainstay of English football is the yearly schedule of Boxing Day matches. Since Boxing Day matches have been played for decades, supporters of teams in every league across the nation always anticipate who they will play the afternoon following Christmas Day.

In previous years, Boxing Day has seen some of the best Premier League matches, whether it was because two heavyweights lived up to the anticipation or because an underdog stood up to create a memorable moment against a team that should have been easily defeating them. What are the top nine Boxing Day games in Premier League history, taking everything into account? Come let’s find out.

9. Bournemouth 3-3 West Ham United (2017/2018)

They had a rather mild first half when both first clashed on Boxing Day. James Collins gave the Hammers the lead, but Dan Gosling of Bournemouth tied the score just before the half. Nathan Ake, a centre-back for Manchester City currently, gave Bournemouth the lead just fifteen minutes into the second half.

The score stayed at 2-1 for the majority of the half until Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic gave West Ham a 3-2 lead with just ten minutes remaining in the game. His second goal came in the last minutes of regular time. Despite some disagreement, Callum Wilson’s equalizer in stoppage time gave the Cherries a significant advantage as they battled until the very finish.

8. Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal (2008/2009)

Martin O’Neill’s Villa found themselves one goal down after a striker from Denilson in the 40th minute going into the half. Soon after the restart, they discovered that the gap had doubled when Arsenal’s second goal was scored by Abou Diaby, a player who is regrettably now more well-known for his injury history than his skill. With twenty-five minutes left, Gareth Barry converted a penalty, giving the home crowd a ray of hope.

Then, out of nowhere, chaos broke out. Zat Knight’s low, 12-yard drive in the first minute of added time (in the final moments) of the game secured a draw for Villa.

7. Sheffield Wednesday 3-3 Manchester United (1992/93)

Because of their outstanding season-long play, Manchester United were able to win the first-ever Premier League trophy. Imagine the surprise, then, when Wednesday’s goals from David Hirst and Mark Bright put them down by two goals in just six minutes of play.

John Sheridan gave Wednesday a third goal just after the hour mark of the game, extending their lead going into the half. Brian McClair gave the Red Devils a two-goal comeback despite the odds being against them. In an incredible football match, Eric Cantona, who was in his debut season with the team, equalized in the 84th minute.

6. Manchester United 4-3 Newcastle United (2012/2013)

James Perch’s goal barely four minutes into the match gave Newcastle the lead, shocking the home crowd. Approximately twenty minutes later, defender Jonny Evans would give the Red Devils the equalizer. Three minutes after his first goal, the Northern Irish centre-back scored his second of the match, but this time it went in the wrong net, giving Newcastle the lead again.

French left-back Patrice Evra with his goal levelled the scoring right before the hour. With little over 20 minutes left in the game, Papiss Cisse gave Newcastle their third goal, but Robin van Persie was there to tie the score shortly after. Javier Hernandez gave his squad the victory in the 90th minute.

5. Arsenal 6-1 Leicester City (2000/2001)

Arsenal, who dominated the game because of Thierry Henry, only led 1-0 at halftime despite the final score. But the game really came alive in the second half. Ade Akinbiyi gave the visiting Foxes a response after Patrick Vieira doubled the Gunners’ lead.

Arsenal then burst into action. After Freddie Ljungberg’s goal, Henry added two more goals to complete his hat-trick. At the last minute of the game, captain Tony Adams gave his team a sixth goal.

4. Manchester City 5-1 Hull City (2008/09)

Manchester City had teething issues at the start of Mansour’s tenure, and by Christmas Day 2008, they were at the bottom of the table. They hosted Hull City on Boxing Day, who would end up avoiding relegation by just one spot at the end of the season.

Fans of City, who were hungry for a win, were overjoyed when they led 4-0 at halftime against Hull. Stephen Ireland had recorded three assists for those four goals.

3. Charlton Athletic 4-2 Chelsea (2003/04)

Chelsea, who were vying for the championship, travelled to the Valley to play Charlton Athletic on Boxing Day 2003. Alan Curbishley managed the team for 15 years, making the Addicks a reliable Premier League team throughout the 2000s before leaving in 2006.

Hermann Hreidarsson’s goal for Charlton in the first sixty seconds stunned Chelsea despite their possession in the game. Matt Holland gave the home team a 2-1 lead at halftime, but John Terry would equalize minutes later. Goals from Jason Euell and Jonatan Johansson increased the margin to 4-2 in the opening ten minutes of the second half as they handed the Blues a shocking defeat.

2. Coventry City 3-2 Arsenal (1999/2000)

Even though Coventry City were a bad road club that season, they were a great home squad. Arsenal travelled to Highfield Road to play them. Gary McAllister gave Coventry the lead against Arsenal in just six minutes, while Mustapha Hadji doubled City’s lead prior to halftime.

Even though Freddie Ljungberg would give Arsenal a response in the 67th minute, Coventry won the game thanks to a goal from a young Robbie Keane four minutes later. Davor Suker’s sixth goal of the season gave Arsenal a second goal just minutes before the game ended. It was insufficient to close the gap.

1. Chelsea 4-4 Aston Villa (2007/2008)

At the Bridge, where Chelsea had proven so dominant for so long, Aston Villa led 2-0 after Shaun Maloney scored twice in the first half. At the end of the first half, Andriy Shevchenko scored a penalty deep into extra time. Five minutes after the restart, the Ukrainian scored again, completing a penalty that Zat Knight had given up after being sent off for a tackle.

Chelsea 4-4 Aston Villa, 2007/08One of the craziest Premier League matches of all time 😆 pic.twitter.com/1ILGCkyQOD

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 1, 2024

Chelsea took the lead for the first time in the game thanks to a third goal from Brazilian centre-back Alex, but Aston Villa’s 10 men quickly equalized with a goal from Martin Laursen. When Ricardo Carvalho was sent off in the 80th minute, the Blues were likewise reduced to 10 men.

Just minutes before the end of the match, Michael Ballack’s goal sent home fans into a frenzy. However, an already unbelievable game took a new turn when Ashley Cole was sent off for handling the ball in the area, giving up a penalty that Gareth Barry scored to give his team a remarkable draw.

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