Greatest ‘wind-up’ celebrations in Premier League history: Emmanuel Adebayor gets his Arsenal revenge, Jamie Vardy’s constant Tottenham jibes and the origin of Neal Maupay’s beef with James Maddison

Thirty-three years worth of Premier League football has produced quite the catalogue of ‘wind-up’ celebrations, but, in truth, we are entering a golden age. 

Social media is probably the cause. That and a generation of constantly-online footballers attune to any slight and wise to the reaction their gesture will garner.

The ‘issue’ reared its head this week after Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly poked fun at Erling Haaland after netting his side’s third goal in a 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City. 

Then came news that the fallout has sparked the Premier League into action. 

‘There’s a balance. I think we all like to see celebrations,’ said the Premier League’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes. ‘Some of the celebrations have been very funny, entertaining, but there’s a line. Once it crosses over into mockery or criticism then we would need to deal with it.’

I, for one, am a fan of ‘mockery or criticism’ in this specific context and in honour of such demonstrations, Mail Sport takes a look at the greatest ‘wind up’ celebrations the Premier League has had to offer. 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s shushing of Arsenal fans during a fiery clash against Arsenal at Highbury is perhaps the peak of a genre. It’s fairly common to see players perform the gesture to rival fans but the depth of hatred between the Red Devils and Gunners in the mid-2000s elevates this particular example above the rest. 

The north London battle began with the now-iconic tunnel row between Patrick Viera and Roy Keane and ended with Sir Alex Ferguson‘s side leapfrogging their rivals into second place after a 4-2 win. 

A then 19-year-old Ronaldo effectively decided the game with a four-minute brace just before the hour. The Portuguese was more than comfortable in the environment and aggressively shushed the Gunners supporters after riffling a left-footed drive into the far corner. 

He repeated the move for good measure when he scored from close range to put United in front for the first time on the night. 

9. Ross Barkley vs Bournemouth 2017

A different style of mockery than many others on this list, Ross Barkley’s actions against Bournemouth in 2017 were not directed at a player or even the Cherries fanbase. 

The Scouse was just well and truly taking the mick as he slotted in his side’s sixth goal in a 6-3 win. Barkley, then a rising star with his boyhood club, rounded Cherries goalkeeper Artur Boruc and strode towards an empty net. 

Confidence never in short supply, Barkley was unfazed by the closing defender and outstretched his arms in celebration before sliding the ball between the posts. Luckily for him, he made no mistake, with his goal rounding out an emphatic victory that sent the Toffees to within six points of a European spot. 

How times times have changed, eh? 

8.  Bukayo Saka vs Manchester United 2023

The Emirates played host to an Arsenal vs Manchester United clash of yesteryear in 2023 when Mikel Arteta’s rejuvenated side welcomed the Red Devils in Erik ten Hag’s impressive first season. 

Marcus Rashford gave the visitors the lead with a stunning dribble and long-range drive and celebrated in his trademarked way but pointing to his temple while making his sternest face. 

Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka took note of this and did not pass up the chance to taunt his England colleague when he scored an equally impressive equaliser after half-time. 

Arteta’s men would go on to win the clash 3-2 thanks to a brace from Eddie Nketiah. 

7. Neal Maupay vs Manchester United 2020

The reigning king of ‘s***housery’, Neal Maupay had to have at least one place on this list. The Frenchman was just an underwhelming striker until his high-profile bust ups with Arsenal players, Tottenham players, Manchester United – the list goes on. 

Even after moving to France last summer, Maupay continues to torment the foes of his English football days. Back in 2020, Maupay’s Brighton welcomed the Red Devils to the Amex in what would turn out to be a thrilling clash. 

The striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot and performer a celebration first debuted by Kylian Mbappe 11 months earlier. His compatriot poured cold walk on talk it was a taunt in any way but Maupay certainly intended to inflame emotions when he approached the camera and mimicked crying. 

The ‘cry more’ celebration is another gesture pretty ubiquitous in the modern game but it was early in its circulation cycle, as it were, five years ago. Ultimately the tears would be Maupay’s as he gave away a late penalty for handball that was dispatched Bruno Fernandes to give United the win. 

6. Andros Townsend vs Manchester United 2021

Recreating the celebration of a footballing legend in his own home – it doesn’t get much more disrespectful than than.

Andros Townsend pulled an unpracticed ‘Siu’ when Everton equalised against Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2021. 

Not surprisingly, Ronaldo rejected Townsend’s request for his No 7 shirt as he stormed down the tunnel at the end, but the Everton man insisted that no offence was intended by the celebration. 

‘Not imitating, it’s just a mark of respect to a guy who influenced my career,’ said Townsend.

‘I spent many hours on the training pitch and in the video room trying to analyse his free-kicks and his stepovers and the way he dedicated himself to football.

‘So it wasn’t an imitation it was a mark of respect to one of my idols. I probably didn’t do the celebration justice and didn’t execute it properly.’

5. Myles Lewis-Skelly vs Manchester City 2025

The celebration that prompted this list, Gunners youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly appeared to rub salt in Manchester City’s wounds as he mocked Erling Haaland by copying his celebration after scoring his first goal for the club.

Lewis-Skelly performed Haaland’s trademark celebration – where the Norwegian sits on the floor in a meditative pose.

It came after the Arsenal youngster had clashed with Haaland after the Gunners had drawn 2-2 with City at the Etihad in September.

Pundits, fans and ex-players have had their say on the matter, including former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, who slammed the Premier League after players were warned against such targeted celebrations.

‘They would be calling for me to be locked up! VAR already taking away the celebrations and now this! KMT [kiss my teeth].’

4. Luis Suarez vs everton 2012

‘I would (be concerned about Suarez) because I think he has got history,’ David Moyes said ahead of the first Merseyside derby of the 2012-13 season at Goodison Park. 

‘But I am not the referee, I am not the one that (makes decisions). But I tell you what – it will turn the supporters away from football if they think players are conning their way to results.’ 

It’s not like the Uruguayan needed any extra motivation but Moyes gave the striker an even greater reason to secure a result against their city rivals. And the Scot’s words would come back to bite him when the Liverpool forward put his side 2-0 up after 20 minutes. 

Suarez – a proto-Maupay in many ways, with far more talent and a far worse rap sheet – ran towards the Everton manager and leapt in the air before spreading his arms wide once he had hit the turf as a final flourish. 

After the match, which ended 2-2, Moyes joked that he would have done the same to Suarez had Everton have grabbed a late winner. 

He said: ‘I thought [the celebration] was great. I actually quite liked that. It’s the sort of thing I might have done if we’d scored at the end.’

3. Neal Maupay vs Tottenham 2024

Almost a year to the day since the Frenchman incensed Spurs midfielder James Maddison, Maupay gets his second inclusion on this list.

During Brentford’s clash in north London, Maupay fired the Bees ahead just 15 minutes into the tie and cheekily celebrated by doing Maddison’s famous dart throw in front of the Tottenham fans, with Ivan Toney following in on the act.

Maddison is a massive darts fan and has been doing the celebration since his days at Leicester. Their celebration led to an awkward exchange involving Maupay and Maddison – with the latter clearly not impressed.

It has sparked an ongoing feud between the pair, with Maupay taking his antics on the continent last month when he netted for Marseille against Le Havre. Very impressive stuff from the 27-year-old. 

2. Jamie Vardy vs everyone 

Give it a few more years and Jamie Vardy will have a list of his own. 

The Englishman is quenched by the tears of rivals supporters. Vardy’s most notable contributions have come against Wolves and Crystal Palace, when the veteran has mocked the the club’s mascot. 

While his recent savage taunt of Tottenham focused on the club’s lack of Premier League honours. After netting in the Foxes’ 2-1 comeback win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month, Vardy raced towards the home fans and pointed to the Premier League badge on his sleeve making a number one with his hand before gesturing a zero to the onlooking Spurs fans.

The cheeky celebration caused the stadium to erupt, with the home crowd exploding in anger by the insult, in turn solidifying the English striker’s position as one of the top wind-up merchants in the game.

1. Emmanuel Adebayor vs Arsenal 2009

There was only ever going to be one winner. Emmanuel Adebayor made an acrimonious £25million switch to Manchester City from Arsenal in the summer of 2009 as the Citizens began to flex their financial muscle after their takeover a year earlier. 

The Togo striker was savagely abused by Gunners fans when the two sides met in the league just a few weeks into the season, but Adebayor’s response still felt a little extreme. 

The striker scored in the 80th minute to put his new side 3-1 in front and sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the travelling supporters. The piece was concluded with a perfect knee-slide in front of the baying fans. 

In turn, Adebayor was pelted with objects, including a plastic stool, and was handed a £25,000 fine and a suspended two-match ban by the Football Association.

‘I think the fans can forget what happened in 2009 when I ran the length of the pitch,’ he told Sky Sports in 2023.

‘Today I will make it clear, I don’t think any human being would accept it if people were singing about and insulting your family, especially your mother and father.

‘I would do anything for my mother and father.

‘It’s behind me now, I hope it is behind them. We all love football and every once in a while when they see that celebration on television and social media, hopefully now they can laugh it off and move on.’