Top Five Classic Premier League Title Deciders
Liverpool defeated Manchester City 3-2 on Sunday, two weeks ago in a game that could well prove to be the one that decided the Premier League title. With just six points separating two teams and City having a game in hand, the clash at Anfield could well be the game that decided the new league champions come May - so as we prepare for one of the most dramatic title decider’s in recent years, here’s a look back at the top five classic games that have decided the Premier League title.
5. Manchester City 1 – 0 Manchester United, 2011/12
Vincent Kompany heads in the only goal of the game
It would only be fair to start with Manchester City, who took control of the Premier League title race in 2012 with only two games remaining thanks to a famous derby day victory over their neighbours. United took a three point lead into the game at the Etihad, but a Vincent Kompany header on the stroke of half time was enough to separate the sides as City dominated United and moved to within touching distance of securing their first ever Premier League title. The rest is history.
4. Newcastle United 0 – 1 Manchester United, 1995/96
The year Newcastle managed to throw away a 12 point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Kevin Keegan “I’d love it, love it”’ outburst is now infamous after an Eric Cantona volley past Pavel Srnicek ensured the gap at the top was closed to a single point. United went on to win the title and we’re left with an image of Keegan slumped in a dugout, as it remains the closest Newcastle have got to winning the league.
3. Manchester United 2 – 1 Chelsea, 2010/11
It’s hardly surprising that Manchester United feature again in this list, but their eventual title-winning margin of nine points in 2011 doesn’t do justice to the importance of a fixture against Chelsea at Old Trafford in May 2011. They played host to Carlo Ancelotti’s men at Old Trafford with only three games remaining in the league, with a win almost certainly securing them the title. Javier Hernandez opened scoring after just 36 seconds and captain Nemanja Vidic headed a second for United as they moved to within a point of securing a record breaking 19th title.
2. Manchester United 0 – 1 Arsenal, 1997/98
Four years prior to a Sylvain Wiltord title-winning goal at Old Trafford, Arsenal and Manchester United were again battling it out at the top of the Premier League. Manchester United were 12 points clear at the beginning of March, but when the teams met at Old Trafford later that month a win for Arsenal would leave them just six points behind the red devils. A Mark Overmars goal on the night ensured Arsenal clinched a vital 1 – 0 win over Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, inspiring them to go on and win their next 8 games and secure the title in a historic double winning season.
1. Liverpool 0 – 2 Arsenal 1988/89
Arsenal have a habit of winning the title on the grounds of their rivals, but it all started on a spring evening at Anfield in 1989. In what is still the most memorable nights in the history of the premier league, Arsenal would need to win by two goals in a final day of the season title-deciding game against Liverpool. An Alan Smith opener set the scene for a heart stopping injury-time winner from Michael Thomas to win the title for Arsenal – their first in 18 years. Ironically, Thomas would later play for Liverpool, but this night will long remain in the memories of both sets of fans.