Hey peeps, this weekend will be the 10th time the Prem has been decided on the final day.
Contrary to Sky Sports coverage on Tuesday and AFTV’s inability to do maths, I was made to doubt myself and double check the league table.
It’s simple, Arsenal have to win their game and if City fail do the same, we are Champions.
I’m not saying it’s likely but not impossible. Some are acting like the Hammers have to win 4-0 when in reality they don’t have to win at all.
It should be worth pointing out though, the previous 9 times the title was decided on the final day, the leaders going into that last day always get over the line….
1994-95
Champions – Blackburn
Runners Up -Man United
Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn
West Ham 1-1 Man United
Of all the places Kenny Daglish attempted to win an unlikely title for Blackburn it was back ‘ home’ at Anfield.
The Kop didn’t know how to react when Jamie Redknapp won the game with a stoppage time free kick.
Thankfully for both clubs, at the same time, Man United were in London struggling to convert a host of chances at Upton Park.
Never before had a defeat been so much celebrated.
8 points clear in April, Rovers were very aware they were crawling over the finish line, crippled by nerves.
1995-96
Champions – Man United
Runners up – Newcastle
Middlesbrough 0-3 Man United
Newcastle 1-1 Spurs
Newcastle had to win and hope United didn’t, but it was never on, and you sensed Kevin Keegan deep down knew it.
As he famously reminded the world days earlier, United got to Middlesbrough and they got to get something ….’
In reality though his issue wasn’t what Sir Alex was up too, it was fixing a title collapse that had seen the Toon throw away a 12-point lead in January.
The manager tried every approach possible to get his players to react but simply couldn’t.
1998-1999
Champions- Man United
Runners Up -Arsenal
Man United 2-1 Spurs
Arsenal 1-0 Villa
So, Tuesday wasn’t the only time Gooners were Spurs fans for the day.
We needed an even bigger favour off our next door neighbours on the final day of the 1999 season.
We needed Tottenham to get a result at Old Trafford. To be fair they did take the lead but by the time Kanu broke the deadlock at Highbury, we were aware United were winning.
2008-2009
Champions – Man United
Runners Up – Chelsea
Wigan 0-2 Man United
Chelsea 1-1 Bolton
Man, United and Chelsea started the day on joint points, but it was advantage United on goal difference.
It would have been the first time in Prem history that the Champions and runners up had finished on the same total.
That was until Matthew Taylor equalised in added time at the Bridge. To be fair all involved were going through the motions aware that United were winning comfortably at Wigan, Ryan Giggs setting a record for how many consecutive seasons he had scored in.
Sir Alex would also get the last laugh on Avram Grant 2 weeks later in the Champions League Final
2009-2010
Champions -Chelsea
Runners Up – Man United
Chelsea 8-0 Wigan
Man United -4-0 Stoke
An anticlimax for Sky Sports as Chelsea scored inside 6 mins and after half an hour had a 2 goal and 1-man advantage. The rest of the afternoon became more about Drogba trying to win the Golden Boot.
With the result a formality so early on United’s game at Old Trafford suddenly had nothing riding on it
2011-12
Champions- Man City
Runners Up–Man United
Man City 3-2 QPR
Sunderland 0-1 Man United
The only time the Prem has been decided on goal difference as Man City did their best to make a mess out of winning their first championship in 44 years.
All they had to do was beat at home a team flirting with relegation.
Then after an hour they had to beat a QPR team down to 10 men with the scores level.
Somehow, they found themselves losing as the game went into stoppage time.
When the full-time whistle went at the Stadium of Light, United knew the score at the Etihad was 2-2 so thought they were Champions, until …. Aguero!!!!
2013-2014
Champions – Man City
Runners Up – Liverpool
Man City 2-0 West Ham
Liverpool 2- 1 Newcastle
Hope this isn’t an omen for this weekend but West Ham surrender quite easily.
City were 2-0 up by the time Liverpool took the lead in their game.
In all reality, all parties knew the main drama had occurred in the previous two weeks.
The Gerrard slip against Chelsea, followed by throwing away a 3-0 lead at Selhurst Park had cost Brendan Rodgers everything.
2018-2019
Champions – Man City
Runners Up – Liverpool
Brighton 1-4 Man City
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves
Essentially Liverpool were in the situation we are in on Sunday.
They had a few seconds of hope. 1 min to be precise. That’s how long Brighton led for before normal service resumed.
It meant an incredible 97 points was not enough for Klopp to be a Champion.
2021-22
Champions – Man City
Runners Up – Liverpool
City 3-2 Aston Villa
Liverpool 3-1 Wolves
Why Gooners should have hope?
Those who are saying it’s impossible for West Ham to get a result at the Etihad would have said the same about a QPR and Aston Villa.
Villa were 2-0 after 76 minutes until City scored 3 goals in the space of 5 minutes.
Not quite an Aguero moment from Gundogan but pretty close.
Dan
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West Ham are on the beach, Moyes is leaving I just can’t see it. Unfortunately against City, you have to be perfect.
I’m just disappointed how the PL were brutal against Everton and Forrest, but City who’ve cheated the system for years – nothing.
@Konstantin
Real Talk…👍🏾
I agree mate but maybe dont think it’s the miracle people say it is lol
I think it rather unnecessary for Mikel to bring it to this point. Though, i believe we can win the title but i don’t like the fact that we are to go through this level of emotional ride, despite earning the right to deserve better. I’m fuming for the past one week now!
What do you mean earn the right ?
Whoever finishes with most points earns the right
Mancity are just exceptional.. it’s as simple as that.. to be honest do we all believe Arsenal could go all the way from January 2024 till the end of the season without losing a single match… We should be proud of our team and club and stop complaining as if the reason why we are not champion is because we lost to Aston Villa…. If we did won against Aston Villa that doesn’t mean we will not lose any other match instead
Some did
The truth must be told. The referee of the Tottenham vs Man City game Chris Kavanagh, was born very close to the Ethiad Stadium in Manchester. To have him as a referee is totally CORRUPT. Where is the noise about this. It’s like having Charles Watts refereeing a Tottenham Arsenal game. Shameful, corrupt and disgusting. Needs a full investigation.
Most agree that the team selection against Villa lost us the title. It was weird since by the time we were playing Villa it was crystal clear clear that Havertz is suited for CF role and not in the midfield. Our midfield was overan and Jesus failed to deliver as CF. Minus player favouritism, we would have won this season and we can win next season.
(I still hope that WestHam will park the bus for a 0 – 0 draw with City😅)
I am just hoping and praying WestHam beat or at least draw with City and with Arsenal beating Everton, we are winning the title.
Till.the final whistle I won’t lose hope.