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After match week 25 in the Premier League, only goal difference points separate first from second. Whilst Liverpool is currently behind, with a win away at home against Eddi Howe's Bournemouth, they could regain the lead in the Premier League and are favourites to do so.
Since the Premier League's inception in 1992, there have been many awful title collapses, which have made for a thrilling end to the season. As each team enters their last 13 games, the top of the table race is starting to hot up, with both Liverpool and Manchester City in the race, and, at a slight stretch, Tottenham as well.
From Aguero's last gasp title-winning goal to Arsenal's one point victory over Manchester United, the Premier League has seen many a close title race over the years, 5 of which will be described in this article.
#5 2009/10 Season: Winner - Chelsea, Runners Up - Manchester United
Two of the most influential tactical geniuses - Carlo Ancelotti and Sir Alex Ferguson faced off and created what can only be considered as a nail-biting season, where only a single point separated the first and second.
Heading into the final day of the season, Chelsea just needed a victory to seal the title, whilst, for Manchester United to earn the Premier League trophy, ignoring the influence of goal difference, they needed a win and Chelsea loss.
As it turns out, the London side won 8-0 at Wigan, therefore, rightfully earning the title. Other than a better points total, Chelsea also possessed a larger goal difference by 13.
After such a thrashing of Wigan on the final day, Manchester United fans must have quickly realised that the dream of winning the league wasn't going to be achieved in that season.
Very close, but only good enough for fifth on this list. What else is to come?
#4 1998/99 Season: Winner - Manchester United, Runners Up - Arsenal
Many remember this season for Manchester United's treble, but few can recall the small margin from which their league victory came. The gap again a minimal single point, however, the circumstances were much different.
Two games prior to the end of the season, Arsenal lost 1-0 to Leeds, meanwhile, a 0-0 draw for Manchester United against Blackburn Rover meant, heading into the final day of the season, a mere 1 point was the difference between the two sides.
In the last matchday, both Arsenal and Manchester United were victorious, but, it could have all been so different. The Red Devils had fallen behind to Tottenham Hotspurs through a Les Ferdinand goal, but, by the end of the game, the Manchester side were 2-1 victors.
Manchester United had a higher goal difference by 1, ahead 43 to 42.
As it were, Alex Ferguson's team would win the league, and a couple of weeks later, add both the Champions League and FA cup to that list.
#3 1994/95 Season: Winner - Blackburn Rovers, Runners Up - Manchester United
Rivals - Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United, battled it out for the title in 94/95. In what is the only Premier League title to their name, the former were victors by 1 point.
Goal-difference was in Manchester United's favour, and, heading into the last day of the season, the odds were as well at one point. With Blackburn losing 2-1, and Manchester United at a 1-1 stalemate against West Ham, all they needed was a single goal to win them the league. It wasn't to be, and The Red Devils finished one point adrift of their rivals, who, despite losing on the day, celebrated their first Premier League victory.
In a team consisting of top English talents such as Alan Shearer and Tim Sherwood, scoring goals was no problem, and, Scottish manager Kenny Dalglish, became only the 3rd manager to lead two different clubs to glory in the top tier of English football.
#2 1997/98 Season: Winner - Arsenal, Runners Up - Manchester United
Arsenal and Manchester United had a well-publicised rivalry throughout the late nineties and early 21st century, and, it was the Arsene Wenger's side that was victorious in the 97/98 season.
Yet again another title decided by only 1 point, Manchester United were leading the title race by 12 points, though Arsenal had 3 games in hand over them. The Gunners eventually beat Alex Ferguson's team on their own turf, which proved to be a vital turning point in the season. From then on, Arsenal went on a title-winning 8 match consecutive win streak and was then crowned Premier League champions.
Had Arsenal lost or drawn any of those matches, or, if the result at Old Trafford was different, perhaps Manchester United would have 21 titles to their name...
Next? Perhaps the one most modern day fans would have been waiting for, and there's no prize for guessing which season we're referring to.
#1 2011/12 Season: Winner - Manchester City, Runners Up - Manchester United
Some might remember this famous title win as Manchester City's new Qatari owners making their mark, others, such as I, chose to forget it.
All football fans alike have heard Martin Tyler's iconic Aguero commentary, as the Argentinian slipped the ball past a sorry Robert Green, but, as we all know, if it wasn't for that goal, The Sky Blues noisy neighbours would have been the ones raising the Premier League trophy.
Going into the final day of the season, City were ahead on goal difference, as United were tasked with playing mid-table Sunderland, as the Sky Blues took on a QPR side not safe from relegation.
In the last match, Manchester United ended up defeating Sunderland, and, heading into stoppage time, QPR were winning 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. But, just as nervous United fans started celebrating, The Sky Blues bagged 2 goals in quick succession to win the league, and send 10-men QPR down to the Championship. Victorious on goal-difference, this Premier League edition was truly a nail-biter and an absolute thriller. As they say, the rest is history.
