The biggest title collapses in Premier League history

The Premier League has rightly earned its reputation as one of the greatest competitions in world sport. Since its inaugural season in 1992-1993, England’s top-flight football competition has rarely been short of drama.

That being said, of course, some seasons have undoubtedly been more dramatic than others – especially as far as the neutrals are concerned. While you have to admire some of the EPL’s more dominant champions – Manchester City in 2017-18, for example, or the ‘Invincibles’ of Arsenal in 2003-2004 – the excitement often comes when the title race is too close to call.

At the time of writing, four games remain in the 2018-2019 season, and Liverpool and Manchester City are separated by only one point at the top of the table. This campaign has been one of the most competitive seasons in the Premier League’s 27-year history, with the two sides being neck and neck throughout the course of the year.

But the EPL hasn’t always been that way – some title races end up being closer than they initially appeared to have been as a result of bad runs of form, fixture congestion or end-of-season slumps. Today, we take a look at five of the most memorable Premier League title collapses in history.

1. Newcastle: 1995-1996

Having led former playing club Newcastle United from the depths of Division One to Premier League contenders in only a couple of seasons, Kevin Keegan was riding high in the summer of 1995. Although they had ended up finishing sixth the season prior, following the departure of star striker Andrew Cole to Manchester United, the Magpies recruited smartly in the summer transfer window. Charismatic French winger David Ginola and club-record-signing Les Ferdinand would head to St James’ Park prior to the 1995-1996 season, and their impact was almost instant.

Reinvigorated, Keegan’s charges surged to a 12-point lead at the top of the table by January. Although closest challengers Manchester United cut that gap to be level-pegging with only two games remaining, many expected Newcastle to cling on to become champions. However, some mind-game mastery from Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson rattled Keegan, having suggested that opponents would not try as hard against the Magpies as they did against his side.

Keegan exploded in an infamous Sky Sports interview, exclaiming that he would “love it” if his side fended off United’s challenge. It wasn’t to be, however, as a disappointing 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest a few days later put the Red Devils back in control, and they were able to secure a memorable Premier League title with a 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough on the last day of the season.

2. Manchester United: 1997-1998

Despite having won a record 13 Premier League titles in 21 seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United weren’t immune to collapse, either. Having won the title the previous campaign by a relatively comfortable margin of seven points, the Red Devils were strong favourites heading into the 1997-1998 season. Although they had lost star striker Eric Cantona during the summer, United justified their position with the bookmakers by racing into a 12-point lead at the top of the ladder by February 1998. Another title victory looked inevitable.

However, Arsenal, now led by the relatively unknown Arsene Wenger, had emerged as serious contenders during the course of the season. Despite the Red Devils holding a hefty lead over the Gunners heading into the back-end of the season, their position was flattered slightly by the fact Arsenal held three games in hand over their rivals. Wenger’s men raced into an unbeaten streak as United faltered, prompting Ferguson to admit that only a “total collapse” would prevent Arsenal from securing their first EPL crown.

Earlier in the season, the Scotsman had dismissed Wenger’s footballing philosophy, claiming he should “shut up” as he knew nothing about the English game. However, Ferguson was ultimately left to eat his words as the Gunners won ten league games in a row between March and May to clinch the title by a single point. They went one step further, too, securing a memorable double by beating Newcastle 2-0 in the FA Cup Final.

3. Arsenal: 2002-2003

Under the influential leadership of Arsene Wenger, and buoyed by the signing of club legend Thierry Henry, the late 1990s and early 2000s saw Arsenal emerge as a new force in English football. Having completed the double in 2001-2002, and going unbeaten at home in the process, Wenger declared that a “shift in power” was taking place in the Premier League.

The Gunners began the 2002-2003 campaign where they left off, equalling a top-flight record of 14 straight wins and going 30 Premier League games undefeated in all. By March, Arsenal held an eight-point lead over old rivals Manchester United. However, an end-of-season stutter allowed the Red Devils to close and eventually overhaul the gap at the top, with Wenger’s men throwing away a lead over relegation candidates Bolton to draw 2-2, followed by a shock 2-3 defeat at the hands of Leeds United.

A 2-0 victory for the Red Devils over Arsenal at Old Trafford, coupled with the Gunners only managing a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture, ultimately proved to be enough to take Sir Alex Ferguson to yet another league triumph. While United would eventually claim the title by five points, the agony spurred Arsenal on the following season, with the side remarkably going unbeaten for the entire season as they romped to the Premier League crown.

4. Manchester United: 2011-2012

Manchester City’s first-ever Premier League triumph is probably best encapsulated, and remembered, by Sergio Aguero’s injury-time winner against QPR on the last day of the season. The Citizens were ahead of arch-rivals Manchester United by the virtue of goal difference heading into the final round of fixtures in the 2011-2012 season, and needed to equal or better the Red Devils’ result to claim the title.

With United beating Sunderland 1-0 and City trailing QPR 2-1 in the 91st minute, it seemed Sir Alex Ferguson’s men would add yet another title to their trophy room. However, a 92nd-minute leveller fired in by Edin Dzeko, followed by an unbelievable 94th-minute winner from Aguero, sealed the most dramatic of Premier League titles for the blue side of Manchester for the very first time.

In all the drama, it’s often forgotten that the title race really shouldn’t have been as close as it was. After overtaking City at the top of the table in March, United raced into an eight-point lead and were heavy favourites to hold on for the title. However, Roberto Mancini’s men took advantage of a slight falter from the Red Devils, moving ahead on goal difference, where they were able to cling on until the end of the year. City’s incredible 6-1 triumph over United earlier in the season proved to be crucial as they secured a memorable league title.

5. Liverpool: 2013-2014

The fact that Liverpool have never won a Premier League title dominating the English game in the 1980s is quite remarkable. This unwelcome record was no doubt playing on the mind of inspirational Reds captain Steven Gerrard when he uttered a now-infamous team talk as his side raced into a five-point lead at the top of the table in 2013-2014, telling his comrades that they “must not let this slip”.

The attacking brilliance of Brendan Rodgers’ men had given them the advantage in a highly competitive season; one in which the lead changed hands a staggering 25 times. Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge combined for a sensational 52 goals, and the Reds ended up with over 100 goals during the course of the campaign – a record matched by Manchester City.

Having gone unbeaten since December, the Premier League title certainly looked as though it was finally heading to Anfield. However, Gerrard was dealt the cruellest of ironies, when a literal “slip” in the middle of the park allowed Chelsea to score a breakaway goal and secure a 2-0 victory over his side. The Reds subsequently blew a three-nil lead over Crystal Palace to draw 3-3, which allowed City to steal the title on the final day of the season, with a 2-0 victory over West Ham.

Could 2018-2019 finally be the season Liverpool clinch their first top-flight title in nearly 30 years? Or will they once again face an end-of-season meltdown to allow Manchester City to clinch their fourth Premier League crown? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.