Ranking the best 10 goalkeeper saves in Premier League history

Yesterday at 07:15 AM

The Premier League have a strong case for having some of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of football.

Names like Petr Cech, Peter Schmeichel and Alisson Becker instantly spring to mind.

However, several other goalkeepers who might not necessarily even be classed as Premier League greats have made some remarkable saves while playing in the English top-flight.

Here are 10 of the absolute best across Premier League history.

10. Joe Hart vs Swansea City

Joe Hart came to the rescue for Manchester City in their 2-1 win over Swansea City in 2015.

Angel Rangel looked dead set to score after powering in a free header from inside the box.

However, the former Manchester City hero flung himself to the right and managed to tip the ball over the crossbar in what was a brilliant display of his unique agility.

Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis immediately congratulated Hart for making a stupendous stop.

9. Bernd Leno vs Tottenham Hotspur

In 2019, Bernd Leno made an astonishing double-save to deny Christian Eriksen and Moussa Sissoko during the North London Derby.

Eriksen’s initial effort was saved by the former Arsenal goalkeeper with his knee as he rushed off his line to keep the Dane’s attempt at bay.

Sissoko’s follow-up strike was struck with power and heading towards the top corner until Leno, who was on his knees at the time managed to somehow direct it well over the crossbar in what was a true example of heroic goalkeeping from the German.

Ian Wright took to X to applaud the now-Fulham number one’s exploits.

8. David James vs Aston Villa

During Portsmouth’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, David James took the surprising decision of standing to his extreme left for a free-kick.

As the strike was fired towards the top-left corner, the Englishman sprinted to his right and tipped it over the crossbar despite the peach of a free-kick looking like it would end up in the back of the net.

David James’ save was one that is certainly one of the most unique stops that one will come across when scrolling back through the chapters of Premier League football.

• READ MORE: David James shares who he thinks is better between Liverpool's Alisson and Manchester City's Ederson

7. Carlo Cudicini vs Tottenham

In 2008, Carlos Cudicini made a world-class save to keep Dimitar Berbatov’s venomous strike out from close quarters.

Berbatov was one-on-one with the former Chelsea shotstopper, with the goal gaping in front of him.

The Italian initially dove to his right as he expected the Bulgarian striker to place the ball.

However, Dimitar Berbatov opted for power over precision for once and blasted the ball at Carlos Cudicini, who managed to make an outstanding one-handed save while he was on his knees in a pulsating 4-4 draw between both sides.

6. Tomasz Kuszczak vs Wigan Athletic

Tomasz Kuszczak made a save for the ages in West Brom’s 1-0 victory against Wigan Athletic in 2006.

The former Manchester United goalkeeper pounced upon a tap-in that Jason Roberts would have scored nine times out of 10 in injury time, which led to the Baggies getting the all-important three points.

Kuszczak’s save was instinctive and his cat-like reflexes were there for all to see as he produced a moment that will forever be etched in the hearts of West Brom supporters.

5. David De Gea vs Arsenal

In the 2017/2018 season, David De Gea was a man possessed in a Manchester United shirt.

The Spaniard was particularly brilliant in United’s 3-1 win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, where he made 14 saves.

However, the former Manchester United goalkeeper pulled off a miraculous stop to deny Alexis Sanchez from a few yards out.

De Gea had already saved Alexandre Lacazette’s well-hit strike from close quarters.

As an onrushing Sanchez seemed destine to capitalise on the rebound, the Fiorentina shotstopper stuck out his right foot to save his effort and make a typically unorthodox, yet astounding save to keep Arsenal at bay.

4. Jordan Pickford vs Chelsea

During Everton’s 1-0 win against Chelsea in 2022, Jordan Pickford pulled off what might simply be the best save he has ever made.

Pickford had to dive to his extreme right after Mason Mount struck a powerful volley that hit the post.

The ball hit the opposite post before landing in Cesar Azpilicueta’s path, who had an open net to aim towards.

While Azpilicueta’s effort at goal was well-struck and heading into the bottom corner, Pickford darted all the way back to the left-hand side of his goalpost to make an outstanding diving save to keep his shot out.

The Blues legend was visibly shell-shocked at the England number one’s heroics.

3. Craig Gordon vs Bolton Wanderers

Zat Knight could not be any closer to goal after Craig Gordon made an initial save that was parried into his direction.

The former Bolton Wanderers star tapped the ball home before Gordon sprung in the air and saved the ball from bypassing him off the goal line.

Considering how close Zat Knight was to scoring, Craig Gordon’s save was truly beyond belief and it certainly ranks amongst the very best in the Premier League era.

2. Tim Howard vs Southampton

Tim Howard produced a true moment of magic in Everton’s 1-0 win against Southampton in 2015.

Graziano Pelle looked guaranteed to score after attempting to lob the American goalkeeper from close range, volleying Shane Long’s pinpoint cross towards goal.

Howard, who had come off his line to close the angle off for Pelle managed to jump backwards and push the ball off the goal line to round off what was a miraculous stop.

Instantly, Tim Howard had a made a save that would be remembered for years.

1. Emiliano Martinez vs Nottingham Forest

Emiliano Martinez would have been disappointed after Aston Villa lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest this season.

But the Argentine will look back fondly upon the game as his improvised stop to keep Nicolas Dominguez’s header out was nothing short of extraordinary.

Martinez managed to pull the ball back from the goal line after a powerful header from Dominguez into safety with his left hand in what is one of the most unique saves one is likely to ever come across.

READ MORE: Lionel Messi reacts as Aston Villa's Emi Martinez wins the Yacine Trophy

Jamie Redknapp hailed Emiliano Martinez for his heroics, instantly dubbing the stop as the best he has ever seen in Premier League history.