It’s the late, late show in the English Premier League
There’s always that one unexpected twist in the dying seconds of a match that can swing the result the other way
Lee U-Wen
IN LIFE, they say you should never leave things until the last minute. But try telling that to Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie, who now holds the record of scoring the latest-ever goal in the history of the English Premier League (EPL).
The 27-year-old Scot’s last-gasp penalty in the 103rd minute of the match against West Ham last weekend salvaged a precious point for his relegation-threatened club, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.
Amazingly, McBurnie’s goal beat the one scored by Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt against Arsenal in 2011 by just 19 seconds. The Dutchman’s successful spot kick also ensured a share of the spoils, as the match finished 1-1.
BT Weekend picks out four other late and dramatic goals scored in England’s top division that ultimately changed the outcome of the matches.
Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur, September 2023)
Ninety-seven minutes were on the clock and hundreds of Spurs fans had already made their way to the exits, unable to watch the closing stages of the match as their team trailed 0-1 to Sheffield United. Those who left before the end probably still regret it to this day, as Spurs somehow turned things around deep into injury time.
First, it was Richarlison who headed the ball into the back of the net in the 98th minute, which cancelled out Gus Hamer’s goal for the Blades (Sheffield United’s nickname). The delirious Spurs faithful celebrated wildly, thinking their team had nicked a point.
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Not long after the restart, Dejan Kulusevski blasted home in the 100th minute to send the entire stadium – except for the several thousand Blades fans in the away stand – into raptures.
What was significant about the Swede’s goal was that it completed the latest winning comeback in EPL history, surpassing Spurs’ own record set in January 2022 when they defeated Leicester 3-2 despite being in a losing position in the 95th minute.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, September 2020)
This goal by Bruno Fernandes in the 100th minute against Brighton and Hove Albion was notable for two reasons: It gave the Red Devils all three points as they won 3-2, but more remarkable was the fact that Fernandes’ goal – a coolly taken penalty – came after the referee had ended the game.
The match was initially declared a stalemate when referee Chris Kavanagh blew his whistle to signal the end of full time. The video assistant referee, however, soon sent a message that he had spotted a handball by Neal Maupay in the final seconds and that a penalty should be awarded.
There was disbelief among both squads as they came to grips with the decision. Brighton’s Amex Stadium would normally have erupted with boos, but for the fact the venue was empty as the match took place during the pandemic.
After the drama had settled down somewhat, up stepped Fernandes to ram home the spot kick. The referee officially ended the match just seconds later.
Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United, November 2023)
The 2023/24 season was nearly three months old and Sheffield United were still winless. Playing at home to Wolves (Wolverhampton Wanderers’ nickname), the Blades took the lead in the 72nd minute through Cameron Archer and were on course for a much-needed victory, only for the visitors to hit back via a deflected Jean-Ricner Bellegarde strike in the 89th minute.
Just when the fans had given up hope, Wolves’ Fabio Silva was penalised for a rough foul on George Baldock in the box deep into injury time. With the clock showing 100 minutes, Oliver Norwood – a defensive midfielder who doesn’t score that many goals – crashed home the penalty to seal a priceless three points for the Blades as they look to avoid relegation.
Yerri Mina (Everton, May 2023)
With the prospect of a first relegation in over 70 years staring at them deep in the face, Everton went to Wolves’ Molineux stadium knowing that a defeat in their penultimate match of the 2022/23 season would be catastrophic.
Things went awry in the first half, when Wolves scored first with a goal by Hwang Hee-chan, sending the Toffees towards a first relegation since 1951.
In the end, it was the unlikeliest of goalscorers, the 29-year-old Colombian centreback Yerry Mina, who lashed the ball in the net from close range in the 99th minute to rescue a priceless point that ultimately helped Everton avoid the dreaded drop.
The travelling Everton fans, many of whom lit blue flares that filled the air, could barely hide their joy and relief, having been put through a rollercoaster of emotions during those final chaotic minutes.
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