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Ireland v England, Wimbledon v Liverpool, Tyson v Douglas and Taylor v Davis: Sport’s top 10 biggest upsets!

1) Wimbledon 1-0 Liverpool: 1988
It was supposed to be straightforward for the mighty Reds, who were so dominant in the 1980s. Wimbledon had been in the Fourth Division five years earlier while Liverpool had just won the First Division title. However, Lawrie Sanchez's header sealed it and goalkeeper Dave Beasant became the first 'keeper captain to lift the trophy and save a penalty at Wembley when he kept out John Aldridge's effort.

 

2) Goran Ivanisevic: 2001 Wimbledon final
Ranked 125 in the world, he was given entry to Wimbledon via a wild card. On route to the final he beat Andy Roddick and Marat Safin and eventually overcame Australian Pat Rafter. He was the first wild card entry to win the tournament and the lowest ranked man to do so too.

 

3) Mon Mome: 2009 Grand National
Although you're told never to back the winner, a horse with odds of 100-1 shouldn't really be enticing you into taking a gamble. However, for those that did back Mon Mome they were handsomely rewarded at the 2009 Grand National at Aintree. It was the first 100-1 shot to win since Foinavon in the 1967 race.

 

4) Mike Tyson v Buster Douglas: 1990
At the time, 'Iron' Mike Tyson was the most fearsome fighter around so it was a surprise when outsider James 'Buster' Douglas knocked the unbeaten Tyson out in the 10th round to become the new undisputed heavyweight champion. It was also the first time the baddest man on the planet had been floored in a professional fight.

 

 

5) Bangladesh v Australia: 2005 One-Day international
A five-wicket win over the then world champions Australia is perhaps one of cricket's biggest ever shocks. Aftab Ahmed and Mohammad Rafique scored the winning runs in the NatWest Series in Cardiff to humble the boys from down under.

 

6) Man United 0-1 Southampton: 1976 FA Cup final
Against a team featuring Lou Macari and Steve Coppell, Lawrie McMenemy's Second Division Southampton team were expected to be brushed aside by Man United at Wembley as the country enjoyed an incredible heatwave. That's obviously not what happened and a goal from the late Bobby Stokes meant he probably never had to buy a drink in the town again.

 

 

7) Steve Davis v Dennis Taylor: 1985 World Snooker Championship final
Better known as the 'black ball final' due to the game going all the way to the final ball of the final frame, Davis went into the match at the Crucible as overwhelming favourite and was aiming to become the first player to win three successive titles. At 8-0 after the first frame in the second session it looked like he would but Taylor finished the game an 18-17 winner.

 

8) Fiji 38-34 Wales: 2007 rugby World Cup
Fiji's Graham Dewes' try four minutes from time sealed a place in the World Cup quarter finals for the Pacific Islanders. It was a thrilling encounter and one of the tournament's greatest games with Dewes' effort being the match's ninth try. After the loss in France, Wales coach Gareth Jenkins got the boot.

 

 

9) John Daly: 1991 PGA Championship
The beer-loving chap was only invited to play in the PGA Championship when Nick Price pulled out and no other alternate player could be found in time to step in. In fact, he only joined the PGA tour that year and was subsequently named Rookie of the Year in 1991 too. Great achievement.

 

10) New York Giants 17-14 New England Patriots: 2008 Super Bowl
The Super Bowl in Phoenix was the scene for what is surely American football's biggest upset in the event's history. Had the Patriots won the match they would have gone the season unbeaten, something that had only been done once before by the Miami Dolphins in 1972. The Patriots had also scored at least 20 points on route to their 18-0 run to the Super Bowl so the Giants win was huge.

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