In the final edition of our three-part series on the most iconic imagery in Premier League history, we take a look back on the decade just gone.
Football photography has managed to capture some of the most memorable and iconic moments in the sport’s history in ways that have imprinted on our minds for the rest of our lives.
There is something enchanting and alluring about great sports photography, and football has been able to produce enough incredible moments that we could make a hundred lists over of the best football photos ever taken.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so we’ve picked out some of the greatest Premier League images of the past decade, in chronological order, for your perusal. Part one covered the nineties, while part two looked at the noughties.
50 of the most iconic Premier League photos from the 2010’s:
You can’t see me
Clint Dempsey giving it the John Cena treatment after scoring for Fulham against West Ham United at Craven Cottage on 2 May 2010. The American’s hand was bandaged up after he punched a window when he was told by Roy Hodgson that he wouldn’t be starting the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg against Hamburg.
Remembering Fulham’s incredible comeback win over Juventus a decade on
Carlos and Rio
Without question, the greatest photo ever taken in the history of sport, never mind the Premier League. Taken during the Manchester Derby in November 2010.
Snowed in
Conditions in North London worsen as the match between Arsenal and Stoke City is postponed in December 2010.
Bicycle
Wayne Rooney scores Manchester United‘s second goal against Manchester City at Old Trafford in February 2011.
Five of the best Premier League goals of the past decade
Grudge match
Fernando Torres shakes hands with former teammate Steven Gerrard prior to Chelsea versus Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in February 2011. The Spaniard had just left the Merseyside outfit for London the previous month after a high profile transfer saga.
Five of the biggest Premier League transfer flops of the 2010’s
MJ
Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed unveils a statue in tribute to Michael Jackson at Craven Cottage in April 2011. Because why the hell not.
Dreamland
Charlie Adam goes for a tumble as Blackpool celebrate scoring against Man United at Old Trafford in May 2011. The Tangerines were relegated from the Premier League that same day.
Our ‘end’ of season awards for the 2019/10 Premier League campaign
Peaceful protest
A man handcuffs himself to the goal posts during the match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park on January 2012.
Snubbed
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez refuses to shake the hand of Patrice Evra ahead of the match against Man United at Old Trafford on 11 February 2012. The Uruguayan was found to have racially abused the full-back in a previous encounter between the two sides.
Evra reveals family received death threats over Suarez racism incident
Soaring
Wigan goalie Ali Al Habsi attempts to save a shot against Norwich City at Carrow Road in March 2012.
Game of chicken
Blackburn Rovers striker Yakubu and Wigan’s Al Habsi remove a chicken from the goal at Ewood Park in May 2012.
Aguerrrooooooo
Sergio Aguero wheels away in celebration after scoring the most dramatic league-clinching goal in Premier League history against QPR on 13 May 2012.
Eight of the greatest title-clinching goals in Premier League history
Despair
Meanwhile, in Sunderland, Man United leave the field after finding out that Man City have beaten QPR and won the title.
No chance
QPR’s Anton Ferdinand walks past Chelsea centre-back John Terry prior to kickoff at Loftus Road on 15 September 2012. Terry was banned for four matches by the FA 12 days later for racially abusing Ferdinand in a previous encounter.
How QPR shaped Les Ferdinand’s stellar Premier League career
Rivalry
A blood-soaked Rio Ferdinand celebrates at the end of the Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium in December 2012.
Tasty challenge
The moment right after Luis Suarez bites Branislav Ivanovic at Anfield on 21 April 2013.
Golazo
Robin van Persie scores that volley against Aston Villa at Old Trafford in April 2013, effectively sealing the title for Man United.
Glamourous Ginola was not a great goal scorer, but a scorer of great goals
Victorious
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio celebrates victory over Everton at the Stadium of Light in April 2013.
Guard of honour
Alex Ferguson is given a round of applause as he walks out onto the Old Trafford pitch for the final time as Man United manager.
Bowing out in style
Alex Ferguson lifts the Premier League trophy following his final ever home match against Swansea City on 12 May 2013.
Let’s dance
Daniel Sturridge celebrates his hat-trick with Jamie Carragher during the match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage in May 2013.
A kiss for luck
Steven Gerrard celebrates scoring Liverpool’s second goal by kissing the steadicam against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 16 March 2014.
One month later…
A dejected Steven Gerrard looks on as the Chelsea fans celebrate their second goal at Anfield on 27 April 2014.
Keep away
In that same match Jose Mourinho attempts to waste time as Jon Flanagan and Gerrard try to retrieve the ball.
The seven moments that defined the Liverpool-Chelsea rivalry
Crystanbul
A dejected Luis Suarez reacts following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 5 May 2014.
The five decade-defining football matches of the 2010’s
Adversaries
Mourinho and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger are kept apart by the fourth official Jonathan Moss during the match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in October 2014.
Chokehold
Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson man handles Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur at the King Power Stadium on 7 February 2015.
Five times Premier League managers suffered touchline meltdowns
Knockout punch
Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring Man United’s third goal against Tottenham Hotspur by referencing a viral video that showed him being knocked out by Phil Bardsley on 15 March 2015.
The most iconic goal celebrations in Premier League history
Juan the man
Juan Mata scores his second goal in a 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on 22 March 2015.
A crown fit for a king
Didier Drogba celebrates winning the Premier League title with his Chelsea teammates at Stamford Bridge on 24 May 2015.
Attraction
Sergio Aguero kisses the ball to celebrate his hat-trick against Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in October 2015.
The five Premier League players with the best minutes per goal involvement
Too close for comfort
A Liverpool fan kisses Divock Origi as he celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal against Aston Villa in February 2016.
Final farewell
A West Ham fans sings as he looks on from his vantage point during the match between the Hammers and Man United, the last ever game at Upton Park, on 10 May 2016.
5000/1
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri lifts the Premier League trophy at The King Power Stadium on 7 May 2016.
Peek-a-boo
A young Swansea City supporter takes a peek in a gap in the wall prior to the match between Swansea City and Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium on 31 December 2016.
Le Flick
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scores against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on New Year’s Day in 2017.
Forever blowing bubbles
Referee Mike Dean pulls a face as he walks through the bubbles during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium in January 2017.
The Lane
Tottenham Hotspur fans celebrate after their team beat Man United in the final ever match at White Hart Lane on 14 May 2017 after their 118 year stay at the stadium.
Silhouette
Son Heung-Min runs at the Newcastle United defence during the between the Magpies and Spurs at St. James Park in August 2017.
Feeder club
This kid knows the score as he holds up his banner during the match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium in February 2018.
Heads up
Arsene Wenger heads the ball back into play during the match against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on 6 May 2018. It is his final game as Arsenal manager after 22 years in charge.
Velocity
Mo Salah runs with the ball against West Ham at Anfield in August 2018.
One in the eye
Definitely one of the more gruesome photos anyway, as Jan Vertonghen accidentally pokes Roberto Firmino in the eye in September 2018.
Friend or foe?
Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho greet each other ahead of the Manchester Derby in November 2018.
Passion
Chelsea’s Brazilian defender David Luiz celebrates with Ross Barkley after scoring against Man City at Stamford Bridge on 8 December 2018.
Frustration
Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City reacts by ripping his scarf off during the match between Man City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on 3 January 2019.
Rain
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks as if he’s about to drop the hottest rap album of 2019 as he watches his side take on Fulham at Craven Cottage in March.
The top five highest paid managers in football right now
Prayer
Mo Salah celebrates with his Liverpool teammates after scoring their second goal against Chelsea at Anfield in April 2019.
Glory
Vincent Kompany holds up the Premier League trophy after Man City’s 4-1 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion secured the title on 12 May 2019.
Elevation
Kevin De Bruyne leaves for his home planet after scoring against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 15 December 2019.
Read: Why Kevin De Bruyne should be crowned Player of the Year for 2019/20
See Also: 30 of the most iconic photos in football history
