A fascinating three-horse Premier League title race is unfolding before us, in what could well be one of the closest run-ins in recent memory. Below, we look back at three of the greatest Premier League title races to see if this campaign can live up to years gone by.
Best Premier League Title Races
2013/14 – Manchester City crowned champions for the second time
In what eventually amounted to a fascinating three-horse title race, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all entered the frame for the title at varying points of the 2013/14 season.
As the season entered its climax, Liverpool fans were preparing themselves to celebrate a first ever Premier League title when they beat Manchester City 3-2 at Anfield.
As the Reds moved seven points clear of Manchester City, then-captain Steven Gerrard famously screamed “this does not slip now” in an emotional player huddle.
As history would show, the very antithesis of his rallying call would come true in more ways than one.
Liverpool would go on to face fellow title rivals Chelsea at Anfield. The Blues had an outside chance of a Premier League win at this point, while the hosts had three wins remaining until their crowing moment.
On the stroke of half-time, Gerrard’s infamous slip that allowed Demba Ba to run through on goal to put Chelsea 1-0 up. The game ended 2-0, and in the process, the title race would blown wide open once more.
A trip to Selhurst Place to meet Crystal Palace followed – Liverpool would need to win by a large margin to place things back in their hands once more.
With 11 minutes remaining, the Reds were cruising 3-0 when tragedy struck. Against the run of play, a Dwight Gale-inspired comeback to eventually level things up a 3-3 effectively ended their chances of silverware.
After their defeat at Anfield, Manchester City won all of their remaining games. The title was sealed on the final day when they beat West Ham 2-0.
City would end on a championship-winning 86 points, which was superior to Liverpool’s 84.
It was their second Premier League title win in the space of two seasons and it sparked early signs of domination in English football, which of course has been since been perpetuated by Pep Guardiola.
2007/08 – Manchester United Win…Again
This really should’ve been Arsenal’s title.
The Gunners were league leaders for the vast majority of the season, but a horrific leg break suffered by top scorer Eduardo – who had 21 goals and assists that year – de-railed their efforts at a crucial moment.
Following that draw away at Birmingham, Arsenal won just one of their next eight. This proved the catalyst in their downfall, and they never really got back to the heights of their early-season form.
Instead, it was another London team that challenged Manchester United, with Chelsea pushing Sir Alex Ferguson’s serial winners right to the every end.
Arsenal’s demise allowed Manchester United and Chelsea to enter the fray. Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a glorious season and there was no stopping the Red Devils.
However, Chelsea went on a stunning 18-win run, beating Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford in the process. It went down to the wire but Manchester United showed their professionalism and beat Wigan 2-0 to secure another Premier League title win.
It was their second in a row and the second of three consecutive Premier Leagues.
Manchester United would finish on 87 points, with the Blues losing out by just two points with 85.
2011/2012 – Agueroooooooo
This list simply wouldn’t be complete without the 2011/12 season, which saw both Manchester teams head into the final round with chances of winning the title.
This season is remembered for a handful of iconic moments. Not least the monumental power shift in Manchester City’s favour that, first, saw them win 6-1, before a heart-pounding final day.
Manchester City had superior goal difference, which for them was a crutch to lean on should United have also won their fixture at Sunderland.
For the majority of the City’s decider against QPR, the palpable tension and deafening hush around the Etihad transmitted through everyone’s TV screen.
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring at the Stadium Of Light to put Manchester United 1-0 up, while Pablo Zabaleta scored City’s opener to send them top of the table. Two goals from QPR stunned Manchester City, and in injury-time they needed two goals to leapfrog Manchester United.
Joey Barton’s red card left QPR – who were also battling for their own survival – hanging on by a threat. Edin Dzeko then scored in 92nd minute to level the game but they still needed another.
The full-time whistle had gone at Sunderland and it was all over – Alex Ferguson and his players celebrated tentatively with the travelling fans, nervously waiting for confirmation of their title win.
“Manchester City are still alive here. It’s Ballotelli…Agueroooooo.” Perhaps the most iconic piece of commentary to grace the Premier League marked its most spine-tingling moment, as Sergio Aguero delivered Manchester City’s first Premier League title win.
They both ended on 89 points but Manchester City’s 64+ goal difference outweighed Manchester United’s 56+.
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