Who are this season’s comeback kings?
Mental strength is an important quality in the English Premier League, with the best teams having a consistent ability to rally when losing, battling back to salvage a draw or even snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Leaders Arsenal have shown that fortitude many times this season, establishing themselves as the comeback kings by claiming 15 points from losing positions.
This was exemplified by their superb 3-2 victory over AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, after they had found themselves 2-0 down with half an hour to go.
The Gunners have scored in the 90th minute or later three times to win a match this season. They have come from behind to win five matches this term, remarkably going ahead in or after the 90th minute in three of those victories.
Eddie Nketiah hit a late winner in the 3-2 triumph over Manchester United, and the two goals that secured the 4-2 win at Aston Villa came deep into stoppage time, while Reiss Nelson’s dramatic strike against Bournemouth on Saturday came seven minutes into added time.
Nelson’s goal took Arsenal above Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur into top spot for the clubs gaining the most points from losing positions this season.
Newcastle United have the worst record on this front, having only claimed four points from losing positions.
Nottingham Forest moved ahead of the Magpies on Sunday after twice coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Everton.
There is all to play for in the title race, the fight for European spots and the relegation battle, and those with the resilience to earn results from losing positions may well be the sides who achieve their goals.
Most points won from losing positions
TeamWD LPts won
1. Arsenal50 315
2. Crystal Palace421014
3. Tottenham42 914
4. So’ton321611
5. Liverpool23 7 9
6. Brighton22 7 8
7. Fulham22 8 8
8. Leeds2213 8
9. Man Utd22 6 8
10. West Ham 1514 8
11. Leicester2115 7
12. Man City21 4 7
13. Wolves2113 7
14. Aston Villa1311 6
15. B’mouth2014 6
16. Brentford06 4 6
17. Chelsea20 9 6
18. Everton1214 5
19. Nott’m Forest0511 5
20. Newcastle04 3 4
