When fans have to wait for the last day to know for certain who the champions are, that is when they have seen something extraordinary.
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The English Premier League (EPL) is regarded as the best league for a various number of reasons but perhaps the most important one is the sheer thrill of the title chase that is on display almost every single season. The so-called big six, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur have all played a part in making title races over the years memorable. However there are few that especially stand out. When fans have to wait for the last whistle of the last day of the league to know for certain who the champions are, that is when they know that they have witnessed something extraordinary. Here is a look at three of the most tightly contested and dramatic Premier League title races in recent history.
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When Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola were confirmed to be the managers of Liverpool and Manchester City respectively, many fans felt it would make for an outstanding rivalry. They might have had to wait for a while but in the 2018-19 season, these managers put a fight for the title that will be remembered for quite a while. It all came down to the final day of the season with City 95 points and Liverpool on 94. A win for City would guarantee the title for Guardiola but for Klopp, Liverpool’s title win was conditional. The Reds had to win and City had to drop points at Brighton if they wanted to win that elusive 19th title. However, Guardiola’s men turned on the style at the Amex Stadium, crushing Brighton 4-1. While Liverpool did win their match against Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at Anfield, it was just not meant to be that year.
Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson might not have many regrets when it comes to football, but when Sergio Aguero nicked the title from under his nose in 2012, he certainly seemed distraught. Ferguson was reportedly set to retire that year but City’s win forced him to stay on and exact his revenge. What happened on that fateful day is nothing short of Premier League folklore. City and United were level on points but the former were ahead in the table on goal difference. The Red Devils had an away fixture against Sunderland while the noisy neighbours faced Queens Park Rangers (QPR). While United won their game, City found themselves trailing 2-1. Nothing but a win would do for Roberto Mancini’s men. Thankfully, Edin Dzeko stepped up in the 92nd minute to equalize. What followed was a thing of beauty if you are not a United fan. Sergio Aguero, in the dying seconds of the match, rolled the ball past one QPR defender and smashed it into the back of the net and that was that. The sound of Martin Tyler screaming ‘Aguero’ is something every English football fan has heard and it was the dawn of the blue moon rising over Manchester, and indeed the Premier League.
The 2007-08 season was indeed one of the best seasons of the league in that particular decade. What made it a spectacle was the fact that the top three teams, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal, were separated only by four points. The Gunners fight for the title fell apart well before the season drew to a close but United and Chelsea were locked in a fierce battle. The two sides were level on points as the final match-week arrived, with both looking for a victory. United recorded a comfortable 2-0 away victory against Wigan Athletic but the Blues failed to crack a Bolton side at home as they drew 1-1. It proved to be a double whammy for Chelsea fans later on as United would beat them in the final of the UEFA Champions League on penalties that very season.
