The most shocking upsets in Premier League history

The Premier League is heralded as the greatest league in the world because of its sheer unpredictability.

Only seen six different teams have won the league in the last 25 years, but on any given day, any of the top 20 teams could shock another.

Already this season, Manchester United lost at home to Crystal Palace, Leicester City lost at home to Fulham, and Liverpool took a 7-2 thumping from newly promoted Aston Villa.

Join us as we delve into the archives and pick out five of the most shocking upsets in Premier League history.

5. Leicester City 5, Manchester United 3 (Sept. 21, 2014)

Manchester United came into this game off the back of a disappointing seventh-place finish in the previous season. But the Red Devils had a new manager, Louis van Gaal, and splashed the cash for Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rojo, Angel Di Maria, and Daley Blind.

Leicester, on the other hand, was in the Premier League for the first time in 10 years, after it won the Championship a few months earlier.

A Robin van Persie header and a delightful Di Maria chip put United up 2-0, and although Leonardo Ulloa reduced the deficit before halftime, Herrera’s back-heel restored United’s two-goal cushion.

But two minutes, just after the hour mark, turned the game upside down. David Nugent scored a controversial penalty and Esteban Cambiasso bagged the equalizer.

With ten minutes to go, Jamie Vardy found the net to send the home fans delirious, and a second Leicester penalty, this time from Ulloa, made sure of the three points.

It was the first time Manchester United lost a Premier League match after it led by two goals.

4. Bradford City 1, Liverpool 0 (May 14, 2000)

Bradford was in the relegation zone since the turn of the year and went on a 10-game winless run in 2000, which all but sealed its fate. With one game remaining, the Bantams had to win to survive by the skin of their teeth.

Their opponent? Liverpool, which was chasing a top-three spot and a place in the Champions League.

Liverpool had lost just two of its last 16 league games, but Bradford was up for the fight, and Paul Jewell’s men pulled off an amazing escape.

David Wetherall’s header after 12 minutes put Bradford ahead and the home side put in a dogged defensive display to keep Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, and company at bay for the next 80 minutes.

Keeper Matt Clarke pulled off some incredible saves, and when Owen did beat him, he saw his shot cleared off the line. Liverpool missed out on a lucrative Champions League spot and Bradford survived.

3. Sunderland 1, Manchester City 0 (Dec. 26, 2012)

Manchester City came into the season as the reigning champion. and at the halfway stage of the campaign, it sat top of the table. The Citizens lost just one of their opening 18 matches, a thrilling Manchester Derby in which United came out on top, 3-2.

Sunderland, on the other hand, was 15th in the table and bracing for a relegation scrap.

But the Black Cats were in no mood for festivities, as they shocked the visitors, 1-0.

City laid siege to Sunderland for most of the game, as Edin Dzeko and Micah Richards both hit the woodwork, but Martin O’Neill’s side held tough, and with the last kick of the game, Ji Dong-Won rounded keeper Joe Hart and slotted the ball into the back of the net to send the home fans wild.

2. Barnsley 1, Liverpool 0 (Nov. 22, 1997)

Barnsley was in the top flight for the first time in its 102-year history and got off to a rough start. After 14 games, it sat at the bottom of the table and conceded a whopping 40 goals.

Liverpool was battling for a Champions League spot and won its last five games at Anfield on the spin, with 17 goals and just three allowed.

But the Tykes had a November surprise up their sleeves, as Ashley Ward found the back of the net in the first half. Roy Evans’ side, spearheaded by Michael Owen, couldn’t find a way through and Barnsley held on for an astonishing win.

It was a rare bright spot for Barnsley, which was relegated six months later.

1. Burnley 1, Manchester United 0 (Aug. 19, 2009)

At the start of the season, Burnley was about to have it first home game in England’s top flight in 33 years. Turf Moor was rocking as Sir Alex Ferguson brought reigning champion Manchester United to Burnley.

Owen Coyle’s team lost away on opening day to Stoke City, but Robbie Blake scored a pinpoint volley in the first half to shock the champs.

Patrice Evra was brought down by the goal scorer to give Man United the perfect chance to equalize before the first half, but Michael Carrick’s spot kick was well saved by Brian Jensen.

Jensen made saves against Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park in the second half, as Burnley held strong and defeated United at Turf Moore for the first time in more than 40 years.