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This season’s Premier League title race is shaping up to be one of, if not the best in Premier League history. If this was an 1500 metre race, we would be at the stage where the runners are on the final bend approaching the home straight. 3 teams are separated by a few points and you feel goal difference could even decide the eventual champions.
I honestly do not know who will win out of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City at this stage. Every injury, suspension and spurned opportunity could be deciding factors as the games just get bigger and bigger. It’s going to be interesting to see who buckles under the pressure or maybe it will to right down to the wire. Here’s a look at 5 classic Premier League title races.
Aguerrooooooo!
The 2011-2012 Premier League title race was a war within Manchester. United, the reigning champions under Ferguson, craved their 20th title. Their manager Sir Alex Ferguson had dismissed their local rivals as ‘Noisy Neighbours’ and stated they would never go into a local derby as favourites in his lifetime! City, backed by Sheikh Mansoor new wealth, were a rising force under Roberto Mancini and with attacking stars like David Silva and Sergio Agüero.
It was a back-and-forth battle with United’s consistency challenged by City’s flair. Just going back to the local derby, that season at City tonked United at Old Trafford winning 6-1 in what was a defining moment in the shift of power in Manchester’s football history.
It went right down to the wire as they say and the climax arrived on the final day. Manchester United half celebrated at the stadium of light and waited for the conclusion of City’s match. With seconds left against QPR, Agüero’s dramatic winner snatched victory for City, securing their first title in 44 years. The contrasting emotions – City’s joy, United’s heartbreak – made this the tightest of finishes and an unforgettable race.
This season wasn’t just about the trophy. It was a changing of the guard in Manchester, a legendary manager facing a new era. City waited 44 years for a top flight league title and they have gone on to be the top dogs in Manchester and the team to beat in the Premier League.
Tiki Taka vs Gegenpress
The 2018-19 Premier League season’s title race was a masterclass in attacking football, with Manchester City and Liverpool locked in a relentless pursuit of glory. Pep Guardiola’s City, boasting top ballers like Agüero, Sterling, and De Bruyne, started strong, racking up wins and showcasing dominance. But across the pitch stood Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool, determined to end their title drought. Led by the attacking trio of Salah, Mané, and Firmino, and anchored by the defensive solidity of Van Dijk and Alisson, they were genuine contenders.
The season unfolded as a high-octane duel. Every head-to-head clash, like their Etihad and Anfield encounters, was a nerve-wracking battle for supremacy. City’s crucial 2-1 victory over Liverpool in January tightened the title race, but the Reds never wavered, pushing City all the way.
The drama reached its peak on the final day. Both teams won their final matches, but Manchester City emerged victorious by a single point, their 98-point tally clinching the title. Liverpool, with a staggering 97 points, were left heartbroken but had showcased their exceptional quality. How can you come second after accummilating 97 points!!! The 2018-19 title race remains a testament to the Premier League’s thrilling competition, a season etched in memory for its relentless pursuit of glory and captivating displays of attacking brilliance.
David Beats Goliaths
In a Premier League fairytale, Leicester City, a team that barely escaped relegation the year before, defied astronomical odds of 5000/1 to claim the 2015-16 title. Led by the unheralded Claudio Ranieri, the Foxes, with stars like Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kanté, shocked the football world with their direct attacking style.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur, under Mauricio Pochettino’s guidance, emerged as surprise challengers. Their young guns, Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Christian Eriksen, thrilled fans with their attacking prowess. For large parts of the season it looked like Spurs were the complete package. Traditional title challengers, Manchester United & City along with Chelsea and Arsenal were off the pace and not in sync.
The season’s title race became a captivating duel between these two underdogs. Leicester displayed remarkable consistency, grinding out crucial wins under pressure. Tottenham, despite valiant efforts, couldn’t quite keep pace. A draw for Spurs against Chelsea in May, an ill-tempered match which has been since titled ‘The battle of the Bridge’ sealed Leicester’s fate, crowning them Premier League champions in one of the greatest underdog stories ever.
Even to this day it seems hard to believe Leicester City won the Premier League by 10 points. As for Tottenham Hotspur, they crumbled and lost their remaining games in May and were pipped to second place by their local rivals Arsenal. An Arsenal fan once told me that ‘Only Spurs could come third in a two-horse race’
Arsene’s Arsenal Are Born
The 1997-98 Premier League title race was a dramatic clash of titans. Arsenal, under the relatively new Arsène Wenger, craved their first title in seven years. Their youthful squad, featuring Bergkamp’s experience alongside Vieira and a young Henry, thrived under Wenger’s attacking philosophy. Their fluid play, surprisingly bolstered by defensive solidity, made them a force to be reckoned with.
Manchester United were the reigning champions under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. Beckham, Giggs, and Keane were the cornerstones of a team known for their unwavering spirit. Manchester United manager Ferguson did not like Arsene Wenger and had a lot to say regarding is dislike and disapproval the Arsenal managers comments about the premier league standard of refereeing.
Now, this was the season we saw the birth of Wenger’s Arsenal and the rekindling of the rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United. Manchester United were way out in front but Arsenal managed to win 45 out of 51 points from Boxing day to the 3rd of May. One of those wins took place at Old Trafford, Marc Overmars scoring an iconic goal in a 1-0 win for Arsenal.
On the final day, Arsenal delivered a masterclass at Highbury, crushing Everton 4-0 to secure the title by a one point. What a title race! This victory marked the dawn of a new era for the Gunners, solidifying Wenger’s tactical revolution and ushering in a period of dominance for North London. The 1997-98 season remains a testament to the Premier League’s competitiveness, showcasing the relentless pursuit of glory through contrasting styles of play – Wenger’s tactical innovation against United’s unwavering spirit.
The Start Of The Treble
The following season, the 1998-99 title race was a Premier League three horse duel, a thrilling battle between established giants and a rising force. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, a galaxy of stars led by Beckham, Giggs, and Keane, craved their sixth title. Wenger’s Arsenal, boasting Bergkamp, Vieira, and a young Henry, yearned to reclaim their crown with their free-flowing attack. But a new challenger emerged: Gianluca Vialli’s Chelsea. Desailly and Poyet bolstered a squad known for its bite, making them genuine contenders with their tactical flexibility.
The season was a war of attrition. Each clash between the big three was a gladiatorial contest, decided by moments of magic, late drama, and comebacks that defied belief. Ferguson’s United had Yorke and Cole scoring freely, Arsenal went on a 17 match unbeaten run and Chelsea showed the potential they hoped would materialise under Ruud Guillit It was a season that had it all: individual brilliance, psychological warfare, and sheer, unadulterated drama.
United emerged victorious on the final day, a 2-1 win over Tottenham securing a historic double. Arsenal finished as valiant runners-up, while Chelsea, despite their impressive challenge, had to settle for third. United would go on to win the historic treble that season.
