Emi Martinez’s incredible save from Nottingham Forest’s Nicolas Dominguez has been hailed as one of the best saves in the Premier League this season. Commentators Alan Smith and Jamie Redknapp were full of praise for Martinez’s miraculous stop, with Redknapp even going as far as saying it was the best Premier League save he had ever seen.
The save, which you can watch in the video below, was truly exceptional. But how does it compare to other great saves in Premier League history? Let’s take a trip down memory lane with some of the most memorable saves from years gone by.
In 2012, the Premier League celebrated its 20 Seasons Awards, and one of the standout moments was Craig Gordon’s save against Bolton. Gordon’s incredible reflexes saw him claw Zat Knight’s goal-bound effort over the bar, earning him a well-deserved award for the best save of the year.
Fast forward to 2022, and Jordan Pickford produced a memorable diving save against Chelsea to secure Everton a crucial 1-0 victory. Pickford’s quick reactions and agility were on full display as he denied Cesar Azpilicueta’s close-range effort with a spectacular save.
Moving on to another iconic save, David James’ cat-like reflexes were put to the test against Portsmouth when he made a full-stretch dive to tip Gareth Barry’s free kick around the post. James’ agility and athleticism were truly remarkable in this standout moment.
But perhaps one of the greatest saves in Premier League history came from Peter Schmeichel in 1993. The Manchester United legend pulled off a miraculous stop against Liverpool, showcasing his incredible strength and reflexes to deny a powerful shot and leave everyone in awe.
Joe Hart’s acrobatic save from Federico Fernandez in 2015 also deserves a mention, as the Swansea players’ stunned reactions spoke volumes about the quality of the save. Hart’s fingertips over the bar to deny Fernandez’s header was a moment of pure brilliance.
Alisson’s Gandalf-esque save from Miguel Almiron in a thrilling encounter showcased the Liverpool goalkeeper’s supernatural abilities, defying gravity and physics to keep the ball out of the net. A moment of sheer magic from the Brazilian shot-stopper.
And let’s not forget Carlo Cudicini’s lightning-fast reaction save against Tottenham in a thrilling 4-4 draw. Cudicini’s quick adjustment and incredible reflexes saw him deny Dimitar Berbatov’s close-range effort with a stunning block.
Finally, Bernd Leno’s last-minute save from Moussa Sissoko in a high-pressure moment for Arsenal highlighted the German goalkeeper’s composure and shot-stopping ability. Leno’s quick reflexes and strong hand kept Arsenal in the game and earned him praise from fans and pundits alike.
These are just a few examples of the incredible saves that have graced the Premier League over the years. Each one a testament to the skill, athleticism, and determination of the goalkeepers who pull off these remarkable feats. Let us know your favorite saves in the comments below!
