Home of football statistics and historyBournemouth’s recent recovery from a three-goal deficit to defeat Luton Town 4-3 was undoubtedly one of the best comebacks in Premier League history.
Their fightback would have been heartbreaking to punters who wagered on the Hatters to win the game, although some may have been fortunate enough to cash out their bets.
Most betting sites offer cash out on Premier League matches, and savvy bettors will hopefully have taken advantage before Bournemouth staged their comeback.
While the Cherries deserve plenty of praise for winning the game, you would be hard-pushed to argue it comes close to matching any of the following comebacks.
Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain – 2017
Barcelona made Champions League history in 2017, becoming the first team to overcome a 4-0 first leg deficit in their last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
The La Liga giants were 5-3 down on the aggregate in the 88th minute, but netted three goals in seven minutes to fire PSG out of the competition in one of the biggest sporting comebacks in history.
Sergi Roberto’s 95th-minute winner sparked wild scenes at Camp Nou and added further weight to the feeling that PSG are destined never to be European champions.
Manchester United v Bayern Munich – 1999
When it comes to dramatic endings to a game, it is tough to beat what Manchester United against Bayern Munich in the 1998/99 Champions League final.
After taking an early lead, Bayern spurned several other chances to put the game to bed. They were ultimately left to rue their wastefulness.
Stoppage time goals by Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned the final on its head and ensured United claimed a remarkable treble.
Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers – 2012
Heading into the final day of the 2011-12 season, Manchester City needed a win to prevent arch-rivals Man United from retaining the Premier League title.
With City were trailing 2-1 at home to Queens Park Rangers, the Red Devils were on course to get the job done as they triumphed 1-0 at Sunderland.
However, stoppage time goals by Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero sparked wild celebrations at the Etihad Stadium and left United’s dreams in tatters.
Barcelona 1-4 Metz – 1984
After winning 4-2 at Metz in the first leg of their European Cup Winners’ Cup tie, Barcelona were long odds-on to complete the job on home soil.
Their progression to the second leg looked even more likely when they made it 5-2 on aggregate, but the unfancied French team had other ideas.
They battled back to level the time early in the second half, before completing a truly remarkable comeback with the winner five minutes from time.
Portugal 5-3 North Korea – 1966
North Korea travelled to the 1966 World Cup in England as 1,000/1 outsiders. By contrast, Portugal were one of the more fancied teams to win the tournament.
However, their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals appeared to be over as North Korea raced into a shock 3-0 lead inside the first 25 minutes.
Portugal eventually sparked into life, with star striker Eusebio netting four goals on the way to a thrilling 5-3 victory.
Charlton Athletic 7-6 Huddersfield Town – 1957
In the spirit of recognising that club football in England existed before the Premier League was launched in 1992, we head back to 1957 for our next greatest comeback.
Charlton Athletic hosted Huddersfield United in a Second Division clash and were 5-1 behind with under 30 minutes remaining at The Valley.
By the 81-minute mark they were 6-5 ahead, but the Terriers quickly levelled. Charlton would not be denied and bagged the winner with virtually the last kick of the game.
Real Madrid vs Borussia Monchengladbach – 1985
Back in the day when UEFA’s club competitions did not have a group stage, teams did not have much of a safety net to fall back on if they failed to perform.
Real Madrid looked to be on their way out of the UEFA Cup in the last-16 after losing 5-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach, but roared back to secure a 4-0 win at home.
They advanced on the away goals rule and subsequently went on to win the tournament by defeating Cologne 5-3 on aggregate in the final.
Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 AC Milan – 2004
AC Milan seemed destined for the semi-finals of the 2003/04 Champions League after a 4-1 victory in the first leg of their tie against Deportivo La Coruna.
The Serie A club were seeking back-to-back successes in the tournament, but somehow contrived to throw away a golden opportunity to achieve the feat.
Deportivo won the reverse fixture 4-0 to advance to the last four, where they were narrowly defeated by eventual winners Porto.
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