Was Emi Martinez's save against Nottingham Forest one of the best of the Premier League era?

Emi Martinez's save from Nottingham Forest's Nicolas Dominguez was arguably one of the best we've seen within the Premier League this season.

Alan Smith, commentating for Sky Sports, called it “a miracle”, which is just a little detriment to the transformation of water into wine, but you get what he's saying.

Jamie Redknapp said he couldn't imagine “a better Premier League save in my life”, although those last three words seemed a bit unnecessary.

Anyway, the video below shows it and also you'll probably agree it was great.

But how did it compare to other great saves within the Premier League era?

Saves are much harder to recollect than goals, so keep your memory sharp.


The Premier League congratulated itself on its anniversary in 2012 when it hosted the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards.

There was a certain recency bias within the winners, with Wayne Rooney scoring one of the best goal for his overhead kick for Manchester United a yr earlier, while the 2011/12 season was named one of the best season and Nemanja Vidic was named to the All-Star 20 was chosen. Annual team.

Gordon's save against Bolton was also fresh within the memory, but it surely's hard to argue against him winning the award in 2012 and it still holds up thoroughly today.

Zat Knight is just a number of meters away when he powerfully pushes the ball into the goal.

Gordon extends an arm…

And claws it over the crossbar. Points deducted since it only got here from Zat Knight, but still an ideal save.

Everton's 1-0 win over Chelsea in May 2022 was iconic in some ways: Richarlison celebrated his winning goal with a blue flare, Everton's win at wild Goodison Park helped keep them within the Premier League, and Pickford made an unforgettable diving save by Cesar Azpilicueta.

After Mason Mount's shot hit the post, an outstretched Pickford found himself beyond the width of his posts because the ball flew to Azpilicueta…

Pickford immediately recognized the danger and sprinted behind the goal line to provide himself extra space for the upcoming save…

…and he has to regulate his body to dive to the suitable after running barely past the angle.

“I’ve had worse,” he said afterwards. Oh Jordan, you joker.

The feline save on our list. James is caught on the alternative side of his goal just in front of the Portmouth wall as referee Uriah Rennie tells Gareth Barry he can take a fast free kick.

James sprints across his goal and dives with all his might to direct the ball across the post.

Peter Schmeichel, Manchester United vs Liverpool, 1993

Pure reflexology from the OG PL GK (original Premier League gangster goalkeeper).

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It is a story as old as time; Attacker against goalkeeper, one against one, powerful shot, strong save. And there isn’t a higher example in Premier League history.

Schmeichel's left wrist is stronger than steel, forged from his work as a cleansing lady in a retirement home in his youth.

Don Hutchison screams “f***” and puts his head in his hands. It's an appropriate response.

There are two good indicators that a special save has just occurred:

1) The fans have a good time the goal, but then break into stunned silence; or

2) Players place their heads of their hands.

Four Swansea players do that after Joe Hart's save against Federico Fernandez in 2015.

What preceded their response was an acrobatic parade of the very best quality. Fernandez's header goes towards the corner…

But Hart shoots his finger over the crossbar.

Miguel Almiron absolutely hits that volley like his life relied on it…

But Alisson unleashes his inner Gandalf and almost screams, “You won’t pass!” with a save that nearly defies gravity and physics.

Cudicini conceded 4 goals in that game, a large 4-4 thriller on the old White Hart Lane, but he also pulled off one among the best saves of the Premier League era.

Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov should in fact rating with a free shot from 12 yards, but as he lines up his attempt, Cudicini's weight goes to the left…

…but he adjusts his body and extends his almighty right paw to by some means block it.

Probably the fastest response time save on our list.

Arsenal's Leno had just blocked Christian Eriksen, however the ball was headed to Moussa Sissoko, who hit it with full force from the sting of the penalty area.

With two players in the way in which, Leno can't see the ball until the last millisecond…

But reaches out a hand to redirect it.

Ian Wright tweeted the word “Leno” with several clapping emojis. It couldn't be said more fairly.

Right, please leave your comments below on “I can’t believe X Storage was included, I could have saved that” and “Why isn’t X Storage on the list, I’m unsubscribing”. Cheers.

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image credit : www.nytimes.com