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Even the best teams, crafted and molded to one particular tactical system that brings the best out of their biggest stars, have their game-changers who they can look to when the chips are down.
The player that gets that goal or assist as the clock ticks into the red and the chance at a point or three is fading with every passing second, and with it hopes of survival, a spot in the Champions League, or a new crown.
Especially now we're in the depths of the Premier League run-in, when results just mean that much more, that's when the big players step up for their team and justify the often eye-watering price tags hovering above their heads.
Cole Palmer, for example, showed Manchester United and Gareth Southgate just how vital he can be in the dying embers of a game, striking in the 100th and 101st minutes to seal a 4-3 win for Chelsea last week.
Here, Mail Sport runs you through the players that have come up clutch most often for their side throughout the season in front of goal as we hurtle towards the dramatic finale.
Mo Salah's most recent game-changing input came in Liverpool's 2-2 draw at Man United
Cole Palmer (centre) came up with two goals in added time to help Chelsea beat Man United
Opta stats have highlighted which players from every team in the division have contributed the most goals and assists that either draw a team level in the game, or hand them the lead.
Granted, that could be a second-minute goal to go 1-0 up, but these clutch moments could also be a Palmer-esque 101st-minute winner to snatch a dramatic victory.
Ultimately, this list does not highlight defensive acts that have made the difference in the big games; William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes might feel aggrieved for being the only side to keep Erling Haaland from having a shot on target across both meetings.
At the bottom of the pile is Fulham duo Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Joao Palhinha, who have both got a combined five difference-making contributions.
The forward has scored an impressive five times to give his side the lead, while Palhinha has three equalising goals, as well as one goal to pull ahead and one assist to draw level.
Burnley and Everton are both battling it out at the bottom of the table to ensure their prolonged Premier League status, but their most 'clutch' players have only cropped up on six occasions.
Burnley's Lyle Foster has twice given his side the lead and once drawn level, while Dwight McNeil has set up three lead-taking goals for the Toffees as well three further clutch moments.
With seven contributions is Yoane Wissa for Brentford, who has cropped up with five lead-taking goals as well as an equaliser, and the Democratic Republic of Congo international has also set up one further goal to put his side in the driving seat.
William Saliba played a crucial role in keeping Erling Haaland quiet to help Arsenal earn a point away to Manchester City
Dwight McNeil has been directly involved in six goals for his side that have affected the outcome of the game
Yoane Wissa has come up with seven decisive contributions in games for Brentford this term
Crystal Palace, Luton and Sheffield United each have players that have come good with eight contributions to either equalise or take the lead via goals or assists.
Palace have looked to star man Michael Olise unsurprisingly, with four equalising goals in his eight contributions, while Jordan Ayew has three assists to take the lead and three to draw level as well.
Luton Town's Carlton Morris has three equalisers too for his eight clutch moments, while Oliver McBurnie has four to his name.
Wolves' trio Hwang Hee-chan, Pedro Neto and Pablo Sarabia have nine goals or assists that have changed games, as does Bruno Fernandes for Manchester United, with four lead-taking goals and two equalisers for the Portuguese star.
On 10 clutch moments is Nottingham Forest's
