There are seven scorelines that have occurred just once in Premier League history, and Portsmouth’s 7-4 triumph over Reading in 2007 is one of them.
In fact, it’s been a full decade now since 11 goals went in at Fratton Park that day – and with nine different goalscorers it was certainly eventful.
But even that stat doesn’t tell the full story.
#OnThisDay 1️⃣0️⃣ years ago:
1️⃣1️⃣ goals ⚽️9️⃣ scorers 🎯1️⃣ hat-trick 🙌2️⃣ own goals 😤@officialpompey v @ReadingFC had it all… pic.twitter.com/nvWA1nJiBu
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 29, 2017
One missed penalty, two own goals, one hat-trick and 90 minutes of pure chaos resulted in the 7-4 win for Pompey, who finished eighth ahead of Manchester City in the 2007/08 season.
I remember having Benjani in my team that day… what dreams are made of
— Christopher Halsall (@CHalsall1) September 29, 2017
Benjani was the hat-trick man, his goals putting Portsmouth 4-2 up, while own goals from Ivar Ingimarsson and Sol Campbell added to the tally.
Defenders had a day off. Great game though
— Croylek Store (@croylekstore) September 29, 2017
Then Reading manager Steve Coppell said after the match: “There were 11 goals in the game and there could have been more. There was no indication at half-time that it was going to explode into life like that.”
Unfortunately for the Royals, exactly three months later they suffered a 6-4 defeat at Tottenham – not the tightest of defences.