The grudge match that led to a post-match brawl, Jurgen Klopp's smashed glasses after late winner and the game that lasted 279 MINUTES: The craziest contests Daily Mail Sport have ever witnessed after United's 4-4 thriller against Bournemouth

Monday night delivered a rollercoaster encounter between Manchester United and Bournemouth , a match many are already hailing as the game of the season.

United burst out of the blocks, taking a deserved lead through Amad Diallo ’s header. Bournemouth, however, hit back with two goals immediately after half-time before a stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick levelled the score at 3–3.

United edged ahead once more thanks to a sharp finish from Matheus Cunha, only for Eli Junior Kroupi to restore parity yet again for the visitors. The drama continued deep into stoppage time, with United goalkeeper Senne Lammens producing a crucial save to deny David Brooks a last-gasp winner.

While both sides were forced to settle for a point, spectators went home breathless in a game that unrelented until the final whistle.

Here, Daily Mail Sport’s reporters look back at the wildest games they have ever witnessed…

United thought they had won it when Matheus Cunha gave them the lead in the 79th minute

But Bournemouth refused to lay down and Eli Junior Kroupi gave the Cherries the equaliser five minutes later, ensuring the final score was 4-4 in a rollercoaster Premier League evening

Stockport County 5-3 Bolton Wanderers . FA Cup 1st round replay (November 17, 2021).

I don’t think mad games necessarily have to feature a lot of goals but this one did. It felt particularly heady because it was a classic cup upset. Stockport were still on their way out of the doldrums at that point and in the Conference League. Bolton are the side of Nat Lofthouse.

It was a feverish atmosphere at Edgeley Park, Stockport went 2-0 down inside the first six minutes and the second goal was an horrendous own goal. It felt hopeless. It still felt hopeless at 3-1 down but then Ash Palmer, who had scored the own goal, equalised five minutes from time. Bedlam. Extra time. Stockport went 4-3 up, the goalscorer lost his shirt in the celebrations and had to get a new one. Stockport scored a fifth. Delirium. It was so good I wished my son was there to experience just how magical football can be.

Oliver Holt

It felt hopeless for Stockport County at 3-1 down when Ash Palmer, who had scored a horrendous own goal in the early stages, equalised five minutes from time to cause bedlam

Oldham Athletic 3-2 Southend United (AET). National League Play-Off Final (June 1, 2025).

Oldham don’t do success. Aside from a magical spell when I was a child, adult life had seen no promotions in 34 (34!) years, two relegations and a crackpot owner who nearly put us out of business. And so, as we headed to Wembley for a shot at getting back into the EFL, the overriding emotion was fear. Fear that this would be another kick in the pants, fear that we’d have to endure another season of away trips to what the fans were jokingly calling ‘London sports centers’.

Despite dominating for long periods, with 10 minutes left in extra-time we found ourselves 2-1 down. I was not in a good place. Then, a miracle, and my first grown-up experience that football can actually be good. Two goals in a minute and utter bedlam. I don't think football can cause PTSD but I'm struggling to remember that 60 seconds. Then the final, blessed whistle and relief and euphoria and tears. Finally, finally, it's us.

In the few moments before the game when I’d allowed myself to think about what I’d do if we won, I'd envisaged a big night out in the smoke. As it turned out I was in bed by 10, drained and exhausted.

We’re now six months on and I’m not ashamed to say I watch the highlights at least once a week.

Mike Keegan

Oldham Athletic celebrate promotion back into the EFL, recovering from 2-1 down in extra-time to win 3-2 after James Norwood and Kian Harratt struck two goals in two extra-time minutes

Norwich 4-5 Liverpool. Premier League (January 23, 2016).

At the end of this one, Jurgen Klopp had his glasses smashed in celebration. They were knocked off his face by a flailing hand in a touchline rave and trampled underfoot.

This was a wild game and comfortably one of the strangest I’ve covered – Liverpool led, fell 3-1 behind, went 4-3 up and then seemingly blew it all over again by conceding two minutes into stoppage time.

Such were Liverpool’s struggles in those early stages of the Klopp era. Their defending was dire, but then Adam Lallana volleyed the winner in the tiny window of time remaining.

Riath Al-Samarrai

Adam Lallana's last-minute strike saw Liverpool edge a nine-goal thriller at Norwich in the Premier League - as Jurgen Klopp had his glasses knocked off and smashed in the celebrations

Manchester United 5-4 Lyon (Agg 7-6 AET). Europa League quarter-final (April 17, 2025).

Hands down the absolute craziest match I’ve ever seen live. Huge stakes and the most titanic of performances with the momentum swings that meant this Europa League clash at Old Trafford will forever live long in the memory. The way Lyon celebrated when Alexandre Lacazette scored in the 110th minute to make it 4-2 on the night, the away bench emptying and spilling onto the pitch had you thinking it was game, set and match and United were out.

Then in the space of 10 minutes Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot, Kobbie Mainoo scored a stunner and when Harry Maguire scored the winner - the sound is barely describable other than a gladiatorial boom. One of the great matches anywhere in the world in recent years and I’ll challenge anyone on that.

Nathan Salt

Harry Maguire scored the winner to seal an epic 5-4 victory against Lyon in extra-time

Benfica 1-4 Chelsea (AET). Club World Cup round of 16 (June 28, 2025)

A match that lasted so long it kicked off at 9pm UK time on June 28 but didn’t finish until 1.40am on June 29. That was because in the 86th minute, when Chelsea were leading Benfica 1-0 after a Reece James cracker, this Club World Cup clash in Charlotte, North Carolina was suspended due to a severe weather warning.

All 22 players were pulled off the pitch, the 26,000 supporters told to evacuate the stands, and FIFA said the break would have to last a minimum of 30 minutes... but that clock would be reset every time a new lightning strike was spotted within 10 miles of the stadium. That left those of us in attendance twiddling our thumbs for nearly two hours until the weather trackers decided it was safe for the teams to return to finish the match.

But Chelsea failed to see through their 1-0 lead. Benfica won a penalty after a Malo Gusto handball and Angel Di Maria scored for 1-1. We went to extra time and – with FIFA officials in the press box nervous because they had heard a new storm was approaching the area – Chelsea managed to win 4-1 after Benfica received a red card. Bonkers game.

Kieran Gill

Christopher Nkunku celebrates giving Chelsea the lead against Benfica in extra time in the Club World Cup round of 16 - which his side went on to win 4-1 despite weather disruptions

Sheffield United 3-3 Blackpool. Championship (October 15, 2022).

Six goals, four red cards and a missed penalty. Plus a brawl after the final whistle that had two players fighting on the floor.

The Blades – who would go on to win promotion back to the Premier League - went two goals up inside 25 minutes and were cruising. Blackpool, who would finish bottom, struck three times in 21 minutes either side of half-time but later committed two of the most ridiculous sending offs you’ll ever see.

On a booking, Marvin Ekpiteta lunged in for a ball he’d never win and was promptly sent packing. Dominic Thompson’s was even worse: also having been yellow carded, the left back booted a dead ball at a home player to delay a corner. Ekpiteta is now in League Two, Thompson at the foot of the Scottish Premiership.

Ollie Norwood equalised against the nine-men Seasiders in stoppage time before Wes Foderingham (United) and Shayne Lavery (Blackpool) were handed post-match red cards for scrapping.

Blackpool won two of their next 17.

Jack Gaughan

Six goals, four red cards and a missed penalty, plus a brawl after the final whistle (pictured) that had two players fighting on the floor as Sheffield drew to Blackpool in the Championship

Tottenham 4-2 Newcastle. Premier League (January 2, 2001).

The traffic was a nightmare on a foggy night in North London, contributing to me clambering into the press box as referee Steve Bennett blew his whistle for the first time. It became a familiar sound.

Until midway through the first half, the game passed largely without incident, but once Nolberto Solano’s opening goal went in all hell broke loose. It was the first of five during a frantic half-hour spell also featuring three penalties and three red cards.

Despite their 10-9 man advantage for the final 37 minutes, it took a late Les Ferdinand effort to extend Tottenham’s excellent home form to eight wins in 12 unbeaten league matches.

Richard Gibson