This Premier League Season has produced one of the most scintillating title races in Premier League history.
Will it be the surprise package Liverpool, or the financial powers of Manchester City or Chelsea that will be this season’s league champions? We take a look at some of the most memorable title races to take place during the Premier League era:
10: 2002/03 – Manchester United vs Arsenal
Manchester United shrugged off a dangerous Arsenal to pinch the Premier League title for the eighth time in 11 years, holding their nerve in the latter months to hold off their bitter title contenders. The match-up between the two giants in mid-April was dubbed a title decider; it finished 2-2. Instead Arsenal dropped points they simply should not have while United, with the goals of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, held their nerve to win by five points.
9: 2008/09 – Manchester United vs Liverpool
A third consecutive title for Manchester United was made ever sweeter by the fact they pipped bitter rivals Liverpool to the post to achieve it. Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool managed the double over United, but couldn’t deal with the pressure of a title race, the Spaniard attacking his counterpart Ferguson, stating Ferguson received special treatment from referees. This speech had a detrimental effect on his team, losing focus and allowing United to outdo them by four points.
8: 1997/98 – Arsenal vs Manchester United
A rare demise from the often clinical Manchester United allowed a brilliant Arsenal to pull back and leap-frog the holders in a season of games-in-hand and hopes of slip-ups. The Manchester side went into March with an 11-point lead over Arsenal, but three games in hand for Wenger’s team had Ferguson on the edge of his seat. A defeat to Sheffield Wednesday for United set up the crunch tie between the top two on March 14th, and Marc Overmars scored the only goal of the game to close the gap. United hoped for an Arsenal slip up after this result; but their wish was not granted. Arsenal won all of their games throughout April to wrap up the title on the third of May, and added the FA Cup a fortnight later.
7: 2001/02 – Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool
One of the more open seasons in recent memory, the race ultimately came down to three, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool. Gerard Houlier’s Liverpool faded in April, and a stunning 12 consecutive wins, the final one being against United in the penultimate fixture of the season, returned the title to North London, Arsenal winning the trophy by an impressive seven points.
6: 2007/08 – Manchester United vs Chelsea
The year that secured Manchester United’s tenth premier league title was a nail-biter right up to the last game. Ferguson secured a second title in as many years with victory over Wigan, which coupled with Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Bolton handed United their prize by two points.
5: 1995/96 – Manchester United vs Newcastle United
The 95/96 season was the year of Kevin Keegan. Newcastle United, spearheaded by the likes of Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and Frenchman David Ginola took the league by storm, building up a 12-point lead over Manchester United by January 1996. March though saw the Magpies crumble, losing five of their eight games, including a 1-0 defeat to United, preceded by the famous Keegan “I will love it if we beat them” moment. Fergie’s squad ended up winning the title by four points, and again bested Newcastle the following season.
4: 1994/95 – Blackburn Rovers vs Manchester United
Only five teams have ever won the Premier League; most children today would find their jaws scraping the ground when they get told that one of those teams is Blackburn Rovers. Blackburn led the way for almost the entirety of the season, but Manchester United stayed hot on the heels of the pacesetters, and the season ended up going down to the wire. With United two points behind entering the final game of the season, Blackburn’s fate was in their own hands; a luxury that they couldn’t take advantage of. They lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield, leaving their fans anxiously waiting for news on the United score. When the result came through it was pure euphoria; West Ham had held Ferguson’s side to a 1-1 draw, starting a party on Merseyside for Rovers.
3: 2011/12 – Manchester City vs Manchester United
The 2011/12 season hosted an enthralling finale, all in one city; Manchester. An unbelievable final day was set up by United throwing away an eight point gap at the top, and City took the momentum and ran with it. With City level with Queens Park Rangers at 2-2 on 91 minutes and United achieving victory 1-0 over Sunderland, Ferguson must have thought the title was his for the 13th time. However, with the last touch of the game, Mario Balotelli found Sergio Aguero, who smashed past Paddy Kenny to send the blue half of the city into wild celebrations.
2: 2013/14 – Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City
Whatever the outcome, this season has been one of the greatest title races in English Football. A rejuvenated Liverpool are having their greatest season in 25 years under Brendan Rodgers, and after a superb 3-2 victory over Manchester City, the title is within their grasp; but not if City and Chelsea have anything to say about it. City have two games in hand, whereas Chelsea are just two points behind and are still to play the leaders at Anfield, meaning this race could come down to the final day; something we would all love to see.
1: 1998/99 – Manchester United vs Arsenal
The title races that most remember are the ones that are decided on the last day of the season; this was a quality that the 1998/99 season possessed. But never in Premier League history have stakes going into every single game been so high. Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger butted heads once again, and Manchester United and Arsenal both entered the closing stages of the season in blistering form. Neither side could afford to draw, heaven forbid lose a game. The season had been tough, with nothing like the ‘top four dominance’ that we see today, and the final points tallies were low compared to today’s standards. United ended up securing the title on the final day, beating Tottenham 2-1 to take their total to 79. Arsenal, despite a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, finished a point behind.
By Daniel Jones
