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The Premier League has been often described as the most competitive league in the world. Since the era began in 1992/93, we have been subjected to some spectacular and thrilling seasons with the title winners being crowned on the basis of minor yet significant details.Manchester City and Liverpool will engage themselves against West Ham and Newcastle United respectively on their final matchdays as another captivating season nears its end. With the title race going down to the wire, we take a look at the 5 closest title races in the Premier League Era:
#5 2007/08: Manchester United vs Chelsea
| POS | TEAM | PTS | GD |
| 1 | Manchester United | 87 | +58 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 85 | +39 |
Manchester United commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Munich disaster in the 2007/08 season which inspired them to win their 10th Premier League title. It was a close call between United and title runners-up Chelsea who battled it out in their last fixtures.
By the end of mid-season, United were comfortably sitting at the top of the table with a five-point lead over Chelsea. But Chelsea closed the gap to two points in April when they beat Manchester City and levelled with United when they defeated them at Stamford Bridge. With two games remaining, United remained at the top solely because of a superior goal difference.
Manchester United went to Wigan on the final day of the season, knowing that they needed only to equal or better Chelsea's result against Bolton in order to be Premier League champions.United won the game 2-0 while Chelsea managed only a draw against Bolton, conceding a last-minute equaliser at Stamford Bridge, which left United as the champions of England for the 17th time.
#4 1997/98: Arsenal vs Manchester United
| POS | TEAM | PTS | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 78 | +35 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 77 | +47 |
Arsenal made an incredible comeback to win their first league title since 1991. It was Arsene Wenger's first full season as a manager and he became the third non-English manager to win the Premier League trophy after Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish.
Arsenal started their season on a good note but suffered three defeats in four matches between November and December 1997 which left the team in sixth position before Christmas, and seemingly out of championship contention. Manchester United were in the driving seat in terms of winning the title race as they mounted a comfortable 11 point lead at the top of the table by February.
But with three months left to go, the Gunners picked up the pace and won all their 9 remaining matches to take advantage of having three games in hand and overhauled United's lead.
On May 3, Arsenal confirmed themselves as Premier League champions after beating Everton 4-0 at home.
#3 1994/95: BlackBurn Rovers vs Manchester United
| POS | TEAM | PTS | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blackburn Rovers | 89 | +41 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 88 | +49 |
The 1994/95 season was perhaps more famous for the various controversies it sparked rather than the last day title victory of Blackburn Rovers. Several players were found guilty for their ongoing personal life issues and Eric Cantona got himself banned for eight months after assaulting a Crystal Palace fan during the match.
But amongst all these issues, Blackburn Rovers brought the 'Champions of England' crown to the Ewood Park after 81 years. Jack Walker was hugely responsible for the Riversiders successful campaign as he poured in limitless funds, installed Kenny Dalglish as their manager who with the help of his striking duo Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, won the close-run race.
Blackburn lead the table for most part of the season but Manchester United fought for their chances until the last matchday. United faced West Ham in their final game where they needed to win in order to get their hands on the trophy. But Sir Alex Ferguson's men were held to a 1-1 draw which gave Rovers the initiative despite losing 2-1 to Liverpool.
#2 1998/99: Arsenal vs Manchester United
| POS | TEAM | PTS | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 79 | 43 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 78 | 42 |
It was the seventh Premier League season which had three teams contending for the title. Defending champions Arsenal were competing in a three horse race with Manchester United and Chelsea. It looked like Arsenal were close to lifting consecutive championships but United reeled themselves in and on the final matchday they came back against Tottenham to win the title.
Arsenal started the season as favourites to defend the title and were well on thier way when they won the North London derby against Tottenham while Manchester United drew against rivals Liverpool. However, United had a better squad depth which they utilised effectively during the closing stages of the season.
The Gunners went on the backfoot as they lost to Leeds United in their penultimate game of the season, resting their title hopes in United's hands. United's last fixture saw them face a Tottenham side who went 1-0 up by half-time. But a spirited 2-1 comeback from the Red Devils confirmed their title win on the final day as Arsenal had to settle for second place.
#1 2011/12 season: Manchester City vs Manchester United
| POS | TEAM | PTS | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 89 | +64 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 89 | +56 |
2011/12 season served as one of the most fascinating seasons in the Premier League era as the title was decided in stoppage time of the final matchday. Manchester City snatched the title from their neighbours Manchester United in the last minutes of their final game against Queens Park Rangers to win their first Premier League title since 1968. It was the first time that the Premier League was won on the basis of goal difference
Manchester City emerged as one of the contenders for the trophy after becoming a financial superpower under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour. But it was United who started the season on the front foot as they lead the table rankings up until October when they drew Liverpool at Anfield. City increased their lead to 5 points with a 6–1 thumping away at Old Trafford. They maintained their position at the top until March, when a loss to Swansea returned United to the top.
City gave away their lead and fell 8 points behind with six matches remaining. But inconsistency hit United's end as they drew and lost the matches till they faced City in the returning away fixture at the Etihad which they lost to City and went second in the table on goal difference.
The final matchday setup the stage for an intriguing finish as Machester City were almost on the verge of loosing their advantage. But Sergio Aguero scored in the dying seconds to inflict a heart-aching blow to United as City were crowned as the 2011/12 Premier League Champions.
