Players Who Excel Against Their Previous Teams

As Manchester United fans left Old Trafford recently, they were left lamenting the departure of one of their former players who played a pivotal role in their defeat.

Welbeck’s Misery for Man United

Danny Welbeck’s goal during Brighton’s 2-1 triumph over former club Manchester United in the FA Cup marked his eighth strike against the Red Devils. This record equals his best tally against any team, prompting former teammate Phil Jones to suggest that United supporters would readily welcome him back.

The examination of Premier League players who have frequently troubled their previous clubs highlights a trend of former players making significant impacts against their old teams. To be included in this discussion, players must not only have played for a club but also scored against them from the 1992-93 season forward (league matches only).

Andy Cole (11 Goals Against Newcastle United)

Andy Cole, who transferred from Newcastle United to Manchester United in 1995 for a then-record sum of £7 million, quickly made his mark by scoring against his former club. He found the net 11 times in 18 Premier League encounters with Newcastle and other clubs like Blackburn and Manchester City, famously scoring four goals in a single match in a 5-1 win at Old Trafford during the 1999-2000 season.

Chris Wood (8 Goals Against Leicester City)

Chris Wood, who had a brief stint at Leicester City, now leads the charge against them with eight goals over 13 matches while playing for teams like Burnley, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest. His time at Leicester was overshadowed by the club’s historic title win, but his recent performances have seen him thrive against them.

Alan Shearer (7 Goals Against Blackburn Rovers)

As the all-time top scorer in Premier League history with 260 goals, Alan Shearer still found time to exact revenge after leaving Blackburn Rovers for Newcastle in 1996. He scored seven times against his former team’s defense, further solidifying his reputation as an elite striker.

Frank Lampard (7 Goals Against West Ham United)

After years under Harry Redknapp at West Ham, Frank Lampard made a pivotal move across London to Chelsea in 2001. He has since amassed seven goals in 19 matches against West Ham, including a memorable penalty that he had to retake twice in 2009.

Nicolas Anelka (7 Goals Against Arsenal)

Nicolas Anelka, who began his career at Arsenal, made an impressive return to the Premier League, netting seven times against his old club while playing for teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea.

Louis Saha (6 Goals Against Fulham; 6 Goals Against Newcastle United)

Louis Saha is unique in appearing on this list twice, having scored six goals against both Newcastle and Fulham during his stints at Manchester United and other clubs.

Danny Welbeck (6 Goals Against Manchester United)

Before his standout performance in the recent FA Cup match, Danny Welbeck had already firmly established himself as the former Manchester United player who has caused them the most headaches in the Premier League, with six league goals against them—two for Arsenal and four for Brighton.

Harry Kane (6 Goals Against Norwich City)

Harry Kane, the second-highest goal-scorer in Premier League history, had a brief loan spell at Norwich City, where he didn’t score. However, he quickly made up for it by scoring six times against them once he returned to Tottenham.

Jermain Defoe (6 Goals Against West Ham United)

Jermain Defoe, who ranked tenth on the all-time Premier League scoring list, had a prolific record against West Ham, showcasing his talent during his time at Tottenham with six goals against his former club.

These players not only left their former clubs but often returned to haunt them, further emphasizing the competitive nature and personal rivalries that thrive in the Premier League.