Over the years, the Premier League has witnessed some truly remarkable scorelines—moments when the football world couldn’t quite believe their eyes. Whether it’s a team scoring goals for fun or an underdog on the receiving end of a drubbing, these unforgettable matches have cemented their places in Premier League folklore. Let’s take a look at the most one-sided victories in the history of the competition, where goals flowed freely and records were shattered.

1. Manchester United 9-0 Ipswich Town (4 March 1995)

Manchester United’s 9-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford in March 1995 is often cited as one of the greatest Premier League demolitions. Despite missing their star player Eric Cantona—who was serving a suspension for kicking a fan—United put on a devastating display. New signing Andy Cole stole the show, scoring five goals, becoming the first player to do so in an English top-flight match since 1983. Roy Keane, Mark Hughes, and Paul Ince rounded off the scoring in what was a ruthless display. Ipswich were left to reflect on their disastrous performance, which contributed to their eventual relegation that season.

2. Newcastle United 8-0 Sheffield Wednesday (19 September 1999)

Newcastle’s 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday in 1999 was a defining moment in Bobby Robson’s reign as manager. The game marked Robson’s first league win at home, and what a statement it was. Alan Shearer scored five goals, including a first-half hat-trick, as Newcastle delivered a stunning performance. The result propelled the Magpies to a much-needed victory after a rough start to the season, and it remains one of the most memorable performances in Premier League history.

3. Tottenham Hotspur 9-1 Wigan Athletic (22 November 2009)

Fast forward to 2009, and Tottenham Hotspur delivered a shocking 9-1 victory over Wigan Athletic at White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp was in charge, and Spurs were 1-0 up at halftime, but the second half saw them explode with eight more goals, led by Jermain Defoe, who netted five times in a single half—an incredible feat that remains unique in Premier League history. The victory helped Spurs secure a top-four finish that season and an eventual spot in the Champions League qualifiers, while Wigan were left reeling from one of the most humiliating defeats in their history.

4. Chelsea 8-0 Wigan Athletic (9 May 2010)

Just months later, Wigan would suffer another catastrophic loss, this time to Chelsea. The 8-0 defeat came at Stamford Bridge in May 2010, sealing Chelsea’s third Premier League title in the process. Didier Drogba, the Ivory Coast star, was the man of the match, scoring a hat-trick. Chelsea’s free-flowing attacking display was a testament to their attacking prowess that season, which saw them break the 100-goal barrier, a milestone they had not achieved in over 40 years. It was also a fitting way to close the season, with Chelsea finishing on top of the Premier League table.

5. Chelsea 8-0 Aston Villa (23 December 2012)

In December 2012, Chelsea repeated their 8-0 scoreline, this time against Aston Villa. Under new manager Rafa Benítez, Chelsea were in a ruthless mood, with Fernando Torres opening the scoring in the third minute. Goals from David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic, Frank Lampard, Oscar, Eden Hazard, and Ramires rounded off the emphatic win. This match marked the highest-ever number of different goalscorers in a Premier League match at the time—seven Chelsea players found the back of the net. For Aston Villa, it was a nightmare Christmas.

6. Southampton 8-0 Sunderland (18 October 2014)

Sunderland’s misfortune continued in October 2014 when they were on the receiving end of an 8-0 hammering by Southampton at St Mary’s. The game started with a bizarre own goal from Santiago Vergini and only got worse from there. Sunderland went on to score three own goals, including one from Liam Bridcutt and another from Patrick van Aanholt. Southampton’s commanding win, which saw them move into the top four in the Premier League, was a mix of excellent attacking play and Sunderland’s self-destructive defending.

7. Manchester City 8-0 Watford (21 September 2019)

In 2019, Manchester City sent shockwaves through the Premier League with an 8-0 demolition of Watford. City were already 5-0 up after just 18 minutes, and they added three more goals in the second half. Watford’s defense was completely overwhelmed, and the Hornets were unable to cope with City’s attacking force. This result set a new record for the fastest 5-0 lead in Premier League history and demonstrated just how dangerous Pep Guardiola’s team could be. Watford’s manager, Quique Sánchez Flores, lasted only a few months after this humiliating defeat.

8. Leicester City 9-0 Southampton (25 October 2019)

The 9-0 thrashing of Southampton by Leicester City in October 2019 was a match for the history books. It became the biggest-ever away win in Premier League history. Jamie Vardy and Ayoze Pérez each scored a hat-trick, making it one of only three instances in Premier League history where two players have scored hat-tricks in the same match. Southampton were left stunned, with Ralph Hasenhüttl’s future looking uncertain after the match. For Leicester, it was a dazzling performance, one that would be remembered as one of their finest moments in the Premier League.

9. Manchester United 9-0 Southampton (2 February 2021)

In February 2021, Manchester United matched their earlier 9-0 scoreline with another thumping win—this time over Southampton. The game saw Alexandre Jankewitz sent off just two minutes into the match, leaving Southampton with 10 men. United made the most of their numerical advantage, with seven different players getting on the scoresheet, including Anthony Martial, who scored twice. The result was another painful reminder of Southampton’s vulnerability, as they became the first team to suffer two 9-0 defeats in Premier League history.

10. Liverpool 9-0 Bournemouth (27 August 2022)

In August 2022, Liverpool began their season with a statement performance, beating Bournemouth 9-0 at Anfield. The match was a complete rout from start to finish, with Jurgen Klopp’s team at their scintillating best as they lead 5-0 by halftime. Roberto Firmino was at the heart of the attack, scoring twice and contributing three assists. The victory was Liverpool’s joint-biggest ever in the Premier League, and it highlighted their attacking depth, with goals from a range of players, including teenagers Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho.

11. Sheffield United 0-8 Newcastle (24 September 2023)

The most recent entry on this list comes from Newcastle United, who hammered Sheffield United 8-0 in September 2023. The match started relatively evenly, with Sheffield United having early chances. However, once Newcastle got going, they were unstoppable, with eight different players scoring. The result was the joint-biggest victory for Newcastle in Premier League history and the second-biggest away win in the competition’s history. Sheffield United’s defense was left in tatters, and this humiliating loss has raised serious questions about their survival prospects in the league.

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Final Thoughts

These massive wins highlight the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, where one-sided scorelines are as much a part of the drama as the title race itself. From legendary teams like Manchester United and Chelsea to newer contenders like Leicester City and Newcastle, these matches serve as reminders of the unpredictability and excitement that the Premier League always offers. For the teams on the receiving end of these thrashings, they are painful reminders of how cruel football can be. But for the victors, they are moments that will live long in the memory.