The greatest own goals from the Premier League era

There is no worse feeling in football than scoring an own goal and there have been some hilarious blunders in the Premier League era.

From miscued kicks to ricocheted clearances, England's top flight has seen it all but some stand out more than others.

Read on as we list our five greatest own goals in Premier League history.

Lauren (vs Manchester City, 2003)

Arsenal's 2003-2004 campaign is remembered for their unbeaten run to the title but there is another moment that has not been forgotten by football fans.

Lauren's outstanding own goal against Manchester City was a sight to behold as the defender took a heavy touch towards his penalty box while trying to deal with a long ball in behind.

But instead of allowing goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to rush out and deal with the danger, the ex-Cameroon international poked the ball past his team-mate with the finesse of a prime Thierry Henry to give City the lead.

Tony Popovic (vs Portsmouth, 2004)

Tony Popovic is responsible for scoring one of the greatest own goals of all time against Portsmouth — and you could watch it on repeat over and over again.

With his Crystal Palace side unable to clear their lines, the ball fell to Steve Stone who delivered a cross into the box that was met by the Aussie defender in the form of a scorpion kick.

Naturally, the ball nestled into the top corner of his team's net and while the goal went against him, Popovic can be proud of the quality of the finish.

Gareth Bale (vs Liverpool, 2012)

Tottenham legend Gareth Bale was a victim of misfortune against Liverpool in 2012 when he scored one of football's most painful own goals.

Defending a 2-0 lead, Spurs winger Aaron Lennon went to make a goal-line clearance only for the Welshman to get in the way of his effort and see the ball cannon off his face and into the net.

Luis Suarez looked delighted as he picked the ball up on his return to the centre circle but it was difficult to read Bale's expression as he laid on the grass with his hands covering his face.

Vincent Kompany (vs Fulham, 2013)

Vincent Kompany is a Premier League icon and one of City's most successful players but he was not immune to a defensive blunder.

His unfortunate incident came against Fulham at Craven Cottage on the way to the Citizens' second league title in their new era.

With no white shirts around him, the Belgian sliced a tame cross up and over the head of Joe Hart, who could only watch the ball bounce in off the post despite the best efforts of Jesus Navas to prevent the mishap.

Santiago Vergini (vs Southampton, 2014)

To finish, we have Santiago Vergini's spectacular volley away at Southampton in 2014.

At the other end of the pitch, he would have been praised for producing a world-class finish but as the ball went in past Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone, a roar of laughter was all that could be heard around St Mary's.

When watching it back, you can see Vergini is trying to put his foot through the ball to clear but instead his misjudgement would lead to the second of eight goals Sunderland conceded that day.