Impact Sub: Most Memorable Cameos from the bench

As part of William Hill’s Impact Sub promotion – which means your bet is still on at the original price, even if your player isn’t – we take a look back at some of the most memorable substitution cameos in Premier League history below.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær – Nottingham Forest v Manchester United (1999)

No list of iconic substitute performances would be complete without mentioning Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Known for his ability to score crucial goals, Solskjær’s substitute performance against Nottingham Forest in February 1999 was nothing short of remarkable.

With United leading 4-1 away, manager Sir Alex Ferguson sent Solskjær on as a late substitute in the 72nd minute. What followed was a masterclass in finishing. Solskjær netted an astonishing four goals in the final 18 minutes of the match, turning a comfortable lead into a record-breaking 8-1 victory.

Solskjær’s clinical display not only confirmed his reputation as the ultimate super sub but also boosted United’s title charge that season. The 1998-99 campaign, of course, culminated in United winning the historic treble, with Solskjær famously scoring the winner in the Champions League final later that year.

Steven Bergwijn – Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur (2022)

Sometimes, a substitute’s impact can come not over the course of an entire half, but in the dying embers of a game. That’s exactly what happened when Tottenham Hotspur’s Steven Bergwijn came off the bench against Leicester City in January 2022, with his side badly in need of a result.

Spurs were trailing 2-1 as the match entered stoppage time, and with their top-four hopes fading, Antonio Conte’s side looked destined for defeat. However, in the 95th minute, Bergwijn poked one home from close range to equalise, sending the away fans into hysteria.

Bergwijn wasn’t done there. Mere seconds after the restart, the Dutch winger latched onto a through ball, rounded the goalkeeper, and scored a breathtaking winner in the 97th minute. It resulted in a stunning 2-3 victory for Spurs and cemented Bergwijn’s place in Premier League substitute folklore.

Divock Origi – Liverpool v Everton (2018)

When it comes to dramatic late goals, few substitute performances can rival Divock Origi’s last-minute intervention in the Merseyside Derby in December 2018. The game between Liverpool and Everton was deadlocked at 0-0 and seemed destined for a draw, with both sides struggling to find the breakthrough.

Jurgen Klopp introduced Origi late in the game, but it wasn’t until the 96th minute that the Belgian forward made his mark. A hopeful long ball from Virgil van Dijk led to an uncharacteristic error by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who failed to push the ball over the bar. The ball dropped onto the crossbar and fell to Origi, who coolly nodded it into the net from close range, sealing a 1-0 victory for Liverpool in the dying moments.

The dramatic nature of the goal and the scenes of jubilation that followed at Anfield, with Klopp running onto the pitch to celebrate, made this a cameo that will forever be remembered by the Liverpool faithful.

Federico Macheda – Manchester United v Aston Villa (2009)

Sometimes, a young player bursts onto the scene with such a dramatic impact that they become an instant hero. That’s exactly what happened in April 2009, when 17-year-old Federico Macheda made his Manchester United debut against Aston Villa.

With United trailing 2-1 in the second half, Sir Alex Ferguson threw on the young Italian in a desperate attempt to salvage the match and keep their title hopes alive. United drew level at 2-2 through Cristiano Ronaldo, but it was Macheda’s moment of brilliance that won the day. In the 93rd minute, the teenager collected a pass in the box, performed a quick turn, and curled a sublime shot into the far corner, sending Old Trafford into raptures.

Macheda’s goal gave United a crucial 3-2 victory and maintained their momentum in the title race, which they eventually won. While Macheda’s career didn’t reach the heights many predicted, his debut cameo remains one of the most iconic substitute performances in Premier League history.