Ranking the 10 Greatest Saves in Premier League History

The Premier League has long been home to some of the world’s finest goalkeepers, with many of the best shot-stoppers showcasing their talents in the division. These keepers have played pivotal roles in the success of some of the league's most trophy-laden teams. As a result, some of the most iconic saves in football history have been made on Premier League pitches, becoming unforgettable moments in the top tier of English football.

In 2022, the Premier League introduced the 'Save of the Season' award to give much-deserved recognition to its keepers. However, this relatively new accolade means that many of the league’s greatest saves have not been officially acknowledged. Here, we take a closer look at the most remarkable saves in Premier League history, including Emi Martinez's stunning stop during Aston Villa’s clash with Nottingham Forest in December 2024.

Ranking Factors:

• Difficulty: The level of technical skill required to make the save is a key factor.
• Multiple Saves: Goalkeepers who deny the opposition multiple times — either throughout the match or in a single sequence — earn higher rankings.
• Outcome: The significance of the save within the context of the match and the season is also considered.

10. David James (2006)

Portsmouth 2-2 Aston Villa

David James is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest goalkeepers, holding the second-highest number of clean sheets in the competition's history. While he couldn’t keep a shutout in Portsmouth's 2-2 draw against his former club Aston Villa in December 2006, he still showcased why he was held in such high regard.

At 36, James showed no signs of slowing down. When Villa’s Gareth Barry took a quick free-kick from the edge of the box, catching the Portsmouth defense off guard, James reacted swiftly. Barry aimed for the far post, but James sprinted across his goal and made a stunning diving save to keep the score level. Despite conceding a penalty earlier in the game, which Barry converted, the experienced goalkeeper redeemed himself with that remarkable stop, earning Portsmouth a crucial point.

9. Bernd Leno (2019)

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Arsenal

German goalkeeper Bernd Leno delivered a jaw-dropping double save during the first North London Derby of 2019, cementing his place in Arsenal folklore. With the Gunners leading 1-0 after Aaron Ramsey’s 16th-minute strike, Leno showcased his extraordinary reflexes to preserve their advantage.

First, he reacted sharply to block a low shot from Christian Eriksen. As the ball rebounded, Moussa Sissoko unleashed a powerful follow-up, only for Leno to pull off an even more astonishing save, flinging himself to deny the Spurs midfielder.

While Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris later saved a penalty from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Leno’s double intervention stood out as the defining goalkeeping moment of the game—and arguably the season. The second save, in particular, was so remarkable that his Arsenal teammates hoisted him in celebration.

8. Joe Hart (2015)

Swansea City 2-4 Manchester City

Joe Hart, a cornerstone of Manchester City’s success during his prime years, showcased his brilliance with a stunning save against Swansea City. Though his time at the Etihad came to an end with Pep Guardiola’s arrival, Hart had already cemented his legacy as one of England’s finest goalkeepers.

In a thrilling contest where Swansea clawed back from a two-goal deficit, City clung to a precarious 3-2 lead in the final 10 minutes. When Swansea’s Federico Fernandez unleashed a goal-bound header, Hart responded with a sensational, full-stretch dive to keep the ball out.

The save proved decisive, preserving City’s victory and reinforcing their push for a Champions League spot. It was a testament to Hart’s reflexes, composure under pressure, and his pivotal role in City’s rise to prominence.

7. Craig Gordon (2010)

Sunderland 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

Once the most expensive goalkeeper signed by a British club after his £9m move from Hearts to Sunderland in 2007, Scottish shot-stopper Craig Gordon etched his name into Premier League history with one of the greatest saves ever seen.

In a match against Bolton Wanderers, Gordon produced a jaw-dropping reflex stop to deny Zat Knight from point-blank range, showcasing incredible agility and reaction time. The save was the highlight of a commanding performance, helping Sunderland secure a clean sheet and climb to sixth in the Premier League standings at the time.

So remarkable was Gordon’s save that it was voted the greatest in Premier League history in a 2012 poll, a fitting accolade for a moment of pure goalkeeping brilliance.

6. Jordan Pickford (2022)

Everton 1-0 Chelsea

Renowned for his fiery personality and ability to rile up opponents and fans alike, England’s number one goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has often faced criticism for appearing more consistent for his country than his club. However, Pickford silenced those doubters with a heroic performance in Everton's crucial 1-0 victory over Chelsea in May 2022—a result that significantly bolstered the Toffees’ Premier League survival hopes.

Pickford's clean sheet featured a stunning double save that epitomized his determination and skill. First, he made an extraordinary full-stretch stop to deny César Azpilicueta, who pounced on a rebound after Mason Mount’s strike had ricocheted off both posts. Moments later, Pickford fearlessly put his face in the path of Antonio Rüdiger’s powerful close-range effort from the ensuing corner.

The initial save, which required him to sprint across the entire width of the goal, showcased his athleticism, while his bravery in stopping Rüdiger’s shot demonstrated his unwavering commitment to his team. It was a defining performance that firmly cemented his status as a top-tier goalkeeper.

5. Petr Cech (2007)

Portsmouth 0-2 Chelsea

Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, Petr Čech delivered one of his finest performances in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park in March 2007. This match, a key fixture in Chelsea's title race, saw Čech produce one of the standout moments of his illustrious career, contributing to one of his remarkable 202 Premier League clean sheets.

With Chelsea leading 1-0, Portsmouth crafted a golden opportunity to equalize. Brilliant play down the right flank opened up the Blues' defense, culminating in a pinpoint cross to the head of Premier League legend Andy Cole. It seemed destined for the back of the net—until Čech intervened. Despite moving in the opposite direction, Čech adjusted mid-flight and got a lightning-quick hand down to his left to deny Cole what looked like a certain goal.

The breathtaking save not only preserved Chelsea’s lead but also earned Čech a standing ovation from manager José Mourinho on the touchline—a testament to its brilliance and importance in the context of the game and the season.

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4. Carlo Cudicini (2008)

Tottenham Hotspur 4-4 Chelsea

In one of the most thrilling matches in Premier League history, Italian goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini stepped up in place of the injured Petr Čech to deliver a performance for the ages. Despite conceding four goals, Cudicini’s heroics between the posts were instrumental in securing a dramatic result for Chelsea at White Hart Lane. His series of stunning saves kept the Blues in the contest, preventing what could have been a crushing defeat.

Among his standout moments was an impressive point-blank save to deny Robbie Keane, but the defining highlight came in the dying seconds when Cudicini thwarted Dimitar Berbatov in spectacular fashion. The Bulgarian striker had ghosted past Chelsea’s defense to find space and unleashed a strike that seemed destined for the back of the net. Despite being initially wrong-footed, Cudicini somehow adjusted to keep the ball out in what was a near-miraculous display of reflexes.

The save left everyone in the stadium stunned—none more so than Berbatov, who looked utterly exasperated at how Chelsea had managed to keep the score level. It was a moment that cemented Cudicini’s place in Premier League folklore.

3. Tim Howard (2015)

Everton 1-0 Southampton

Another example of a breathtaking save preserving a clean sheet in a tightly contested match. Everton had their American goalkeeper Tim Howard to thank for a narrow victory over Southampton at Goodison Park in April 2015. The Saints, chasing European football, arrived in high spirits but found Howard in unbeatable form, with his astonishing save from Graziano Pellè standing out as the highlight of the match.

With the game still goalless, Shane Long exploited space on the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross to Pellè. The striker unleashed a looping effort that seemed destined for the back of the net, leaving Howard seemingly rooted to the spot. But the veteran goalkeeper had other ideas—springing backwards with remarkable agility to claw the ball off the goal line and keep the score level.

At 36 years old, Howard’s incredible display of reflexes and determination cemented his legacy as one of the Premier League's finest goalkeepers. His heroics not only preserved Everton's clean sheet but also underscored his enduring quality and athleticism.

2. David de Gea (2017)

Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United

In one of the finest goalkeeping performances in Premier League history, David de Gea delivered a stunning display with 14 saves as Manchester United defeated Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in December 2017, setting a league record. De Gea's brilliance led many to hail him as the best goalkeeper in the world at the time—a claim that was hard to dispute given the quality of his performance in this game.

Arsenal dominated proceedings with 33 shots compared to United's eight, but the scoreline reflected not their attacking prowess but De Gea's goalkeeping heroics. The highlight of his masterclass came early in the second half with the score at 2-1. The Spaniard pulled off an extraordinary double save, first denying Alexandre Lacazette with a sharp low stop to his right, then reacting almost impossibly to block Alexis Sánchez's close-range follow-up.

The victory ended Arsenal's 12-game home winning streak and further solidified De Gea's reputation as one of the Premier League's all-time greats. His unforgettable performance not only won United three points but also etched his name into the history books of the division.

1. Emiliano Martinez (2024)

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa

Emiliano Martinez recently made history by becoming the first goalkeeper to win the Yashin Trophy in consecutive years. The 2022 World Cup winner played a pivotal role in Aston Villa's qualification for the Champions League last season and remains a cornerstone of Unai Emery's squad.

In a match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on December 14, Villa were locked in a goalless draw when Forest earned a corner in the 58th minute. Elliot Anderson delivered the ball, which was flicked on by Morgan Gibbs-White to an unmarked Nico Dominguez just yards from goal. Dominguez's header seemed certain to break the deadlock, but Martinez produced an astonishing save, clawing the ball off the goal line with his left hand from point-blank range to preserve the stalemate.

Though Villa ultimately lost the game 2-1, with Anthony Elanga scoring a stoppage-time winner and Martinez unable to keep out Nikola Milenkovic's equalising header earlier, his save in the 58th minute stands as one of the greatest in Premier League history. Its sheer reflexive brilliance cemented Martinez’s reputation as one of the league’s finest goalkeepers.