Stunning Premier League Own Goals [2020/21]
Football can be a cruel game sometimes, and not many things—besides a breakaway Super League—are worse than scoring Premier League own goals.
Inspired by West Ham defender Issa Diop’s strange error against West Ham United on Saturday, this set of own-goals are comical, unfortunate, and downright hilarious.
Let’s take a look at some of the most stunning Premier League own goals from this season so far.
Matt Ritchie vs Fulham
If Newcastle United does end up staying in the Premier League ahead of Fulham at the season’s end, Matt Ritchie should count his lucky stars. During the two sides’ matchweek 14 showdown, Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo redirected his header into Ritchie’s path before the ball eventually smacked the Scotsman’s face and landed inside the net. Comical? Yes. Unforgettable? Yes.
Jake Livermore vs Brighton
You simply have to watch this own goal over and over again to figure out what went wrong. Tariq Lamptey’s cross deflected off Semi Ajayi‘s foot before Branislav Ivanovic‘s panicked clearance cannoned into the back of the net via West Brom skipper Jake Livermore. Livermore might be a hard-nosed player, but I imagine it’s taken him some time to recover from that shambles of an own goal.
Jonny Evans vs Liverpool
Leicester City’s trip to Anfield on matchweek nine was a test of their credentials, so it was unfortunate to see former Manchester United and West Brom center-half Jonny Evans play party pooper.
The Northern Irishman’s own goal opened the scoring inside the first twenty minutes on a night where Liverpool went on to win 3-0. Evans’ goal is a classic example of a great header that ends up in the wrong net.
Craig Dawson vs Arsenal
The fact that Craig Dawson‘s two own goals occurred in back-to-back matchweeks this season is both unlucky and ironic. During Arsenal’s 3-3 comeback draw away at West Ham, Dawson’s sliced clearance found the back of Łukasz Fabiański‘s net instead of sailing towards row Z.
The former West Brom and Watford defender is not enjoying life under David Moyes as much at the moment, and he can do without a pair of silly Premier League own goals.
Lewis Dunk vs Manchester United
We’ve already seen how angry Lewis Dunk can get (and rightly so), but he must’ve been kicking himself earlier in the season when his inadvertent own-goal helped Manchester United on their way to a dramatic 3-2 turnaround win.
The mistake shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the Seasiders’ captain has a history of scoring own goals, including a record-equaling tally of FOUR own goals during the 2017/18 Premier League season. Dunk’s 2012 FA Cup disasterpiece against Liverpool is also worth another look.
(Dis)Honorable Mentions
Helder Costa vs Crystal Palace
You’ve got to feel for Helder Costa. What seemed like a harmless track-back tackle by the Portuguese ended up spilling past Illan Meslier‘s goal. The own goal was so unexpected that even the cameraman got fooled for a split second. Bielsa ball comes with its ups and downs…
Antonio Rudiger vs Sheffield United
Communication is key and nothing illustrates this better than what you can watch here. Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United in matchweek 23 could’ve been more comfortable if it wasn’t for a moment of calamity by center-half Antonio Rudiger.
What should’ve been a simple pass back to Edouard Mendy turned into an incredible own-goal that had the German asking for an offside call to save his blushes. Football, eh?
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