Blue or red – whowill get their hands on the trophy?
After 37 of 38 matches, the English Premier League title race comes down to the final weekend, and Manchester City have history on their side ahead of long-running showdown with Liverpool.
Manchester City have history on their side ahead of the final-day title showdown with Liverpool in the English Premier League.
Sunday (Monday, NZT) will mark the ninth time in the Premier League era – since 1992 – that the title race has been decided in the last round. On each of the previous eight occasions, the team in first place before kickoffwent on to clinch the championship.
Every league leader playing at home to finish the season has won that game, most famously City in 2012 when RobertoMancini’s team scored twice in stoppage time to defeat Queens Park Rangers 3-2 and beat Manchester United to the title.
A look at the eight Premier League seasons to go the distance:
1994-95
Blackburn won their first – and so far only – title in the Premier League era despite losing on the final day at Liverpool 2-1. Manchester United started the day two points behind in second place and could only draw 1-1 at West Ham.
1995-96
Alex Ferguson’s Man United bounced back towin the title the following year, this time having no problems on a final-day fight with Newcastle’s team of entertainers under Kevin Keegan. United had a two-point lead and won at Middlesbrough 3-0 while Newcastle, who led the standings by 12 points in February, drewwith Tottenham 1-1.
1998-99
Another title for Man United, who needed to come from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1 at home and hold off Arsenal by a point. Arsenal did their job by beating Aston Villa 1-0 and were given hope by Les Ferdinand’s early goal for Tottenham. David Beckham equalised for United and Andy Cole’s deft lob in the 47th minute ultimately proved decisive.
2007-08
Both Man United and Chelsea entered the final day on 84 points, with United leading on goal difference. United beat Wigan 2-0 away thanks to goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, while Chelsea could only draw at Bolton 1-1 after conceding a late equaliser. United and Chelsea would meet in the Champions League final 10 days later – and again United prevailed after a penalty shootout.
2009-10
Chelsea left nothing to chance in their bid to stay ahead ofMan United and end their rival’s threeseason reign as champion. An 8-0 thrashing of Wigan at Stamford Bridge was Chelsea’s biggest victory in their history and took
Howit stands: Manchester City 90 points, goal difference plus 72; Liverpool 89 points, plus 66. Final fixtures (both 3am Monday NZT): City at home to Aston Villa, Liverpool at home to Wolves.
HowCity canwin the league: Beat Villa and the title is theirs. A Liverpool loss has the same effect. Or match Liverpool’s result. HowLiverpool canwin the league: the team past 100 goals for the season. United beat Stoke 4-0 but finished a point back in second.
2011-12
The most thrilling finish to a Premier League season – perhaps even in top-flight history–— saw Man City become English champion for the first time in 44 years. Stoppage-time goals by Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguerowere needed for a 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers, wh0 started the game under the threat of relegation. United had completed a 1-0 win at Sunderland before Aguero scored to clinch the title on goal difference for City.
2013-14
Man City left it to the last day for their second Premier League title, too, but this was less of a rollercoaster ride. A routine 2-0 win at home toWest Ham was secured by goals from Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany, and it was enough to hold off Liverpool, who finished two points behind following a 2-1 home win over Newcastle.
2018-19
City started the final day a point ahead of Liverpool but it looked like there could be a twist to the title racewhen they fell behind to Brighton in the 27th minute, with Liverpool already leading against Wolves. Aguero equalisedwithin a minute and Citywound up a 4-1 winner, making redundant Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Anfield.