Late Drama: Record number of 90+ minute goals netted in Matchweek 9

We are now a quarter of the way through the season and so far it has not failed to live up to the hype and anticipation felt throughout the campaign’s build-up in the summer.  

Arsenal and Liverpool’s potentially title-deciding clash on Sunday was the headline act to another sensationally exciting weekend in the English top-flight, and with four goals shared between the two heavyweights in a thrilling 2-2 draw, it didn’t disappoint. 

One of the main talking points away from the Emirates, though, was the seemingly endless flurry of late goals scored across all 10 matches. In total, half (five) of the division’s games in Matchweek 9 saw a result-changing goal scored in the 90th minute or beyond – the most in the competition’s history.  

This weekend’s drama means that the total of goals scored in the 90th minute or later now stands at 21, accounting for 8% of all goals in 2024-25 so far. Only last season saw a higher rate on record, with 8.3% of goals coming after the 90-minute mark (as per theanalyst.com). 

With no early kick-off on Saturday, each of the four last-gasp, result-altering goals were scored at around the same time, with the fifth occurring on Sunday afternoon at the London Stadium. 

It’s never dull at Brentford

Brentford have been arguably the most entertaining team to watch so far this term. The Bees have scored and conceded the exact same number of goals after nine matches (18), finding few issues in scoring but plenty in keeping the ball out of their own net. On Saturday Thomas Frank’s men slipped to a two-goal disadvantage against Ipswich Town inside the first half an hour but managed to claw two goals back right before half-time. 

Man of the moment Bryan Mbeumo notched the hosts ahead six minutes after the interval before Liam Delap equalised for the Tractor Boys just four minutes from time – a goal which looked to have obtained a point for Kieran McKenna’s travelling side. However, right at the death (90+6), Mbeumo popped up with his second of the afternoon to secure a vital win for the west Londonders. Brentford have now scored nine goals in their previous two home games. Impressive stuff. 

Cherries leave it late to nab a point from Villa

The late drama continued in the West Midlands. After a goalless 75 minutes at Villa Park, Aston Villa and Bournemouth looked to be heading towards a stalemate until Ross Barkley put the home side ahead on 76 minutes. One last throw of the proverbial ‘kitchen sink’ threw the Cherries a lifeline, however, when a perfectly weighted free-kick from Marcus Tavernier found the head of the onrushing Evanilson and the Brazilian got just enough on the ball to guide it past Emi Martinez and clinch a point with the last action of the game. Breathtaking.

Drama was not lacking on the south coast, either. Brighton and Wolves played out a thriller at the Amex, with Danny Welbeck continuing his scintillating form to score his third in as many matches and put the Seagulls ahead on the stroke of half-time. 

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 85th minute through Republic of Ireland international Evan Ferguson and looked to be cruising towards three points, before a spirited comeback from Wolves saw the ever-impressive Rayan Aït-Nouri peel one back for Gary O’Neil’s side – who have been on the wrong side of some treacherously bad luck of late – with just two minutes left on the clock. 

Five minutes later and deep into injury time, Wolves turned what looked a perilous situation into a positive one, winning the ball back from a four-on-one counter-attack to switch possession within the blink of an eye as Tommy Doyle fed Matheus Cunha with a sumptuous through-ball. The Brazilian, bereft of options in the box, decided to fire a shot off at goal and, following a slightly fortuitous deflection (and an incredibly overdue intervention from Lady Luck), the ball found its way into the back of the net off the crossbar to provide Wolves with their first point since the end of August.

Bowen nails final Hammer in ten Hag’s coffin

Elsewhere, West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and Everton striker Beto both scored match-changing goals for their respective sides. 

The Hammers were awarded a controversial penalty against Manchester United in the dying minutes when Matthijs de Ligt was adjudged to have unfairly brought down Danny Ings in the area, and after a lengthy review the spot kick was awarded to Julien Lopetegui’s side (90+2). 

Bowen converted from 12 yards despite André Onana diving the right away, leaving United pointless and, shockingly, without a win on the road since they defeated bottom side Southampton 3-0 six weeks ago (their only away win all season in all competitions – four draws, two defeats). The club have since parted company with Erik ten Hag, with former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy taking charge, initially on an interim basis. 

Everton’s late point-saving goal against Fulham (90+4) extends the Toffees’ unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games, pulling them five points clear of the relegation zone ahead of a huge clash with Southampton in Matchweek 10.