Assessing the Best Premier League Title Races

The Premier League is one of the most exciting divisions in the entirety of world football, and it’s even more enthralling when we have a title race to keep us on the edge of our seats.

In the 30 years since the Premier League began, we’ve witnessed some thrilling fights for the lucrative piece of silverware, and at this still very early stage of the season, it looks like we might have another.

Arsenal are top of the table at the time of writing, but Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur are very close behind — and it’s hard to pick one if you’re looking for a bet on the Premier League winners.

There’s a chance that one of those sides could pull clear and run away with the title down the line. But as we hold out hope for a close contest right to the finish, let’s look at some of the best Premier League title races from over the years.

1994-95: Blackburn Rovers vs Manchester United

The 1994-95 season was a classic battle between two Scots, as Sir Kenny Daglish and Sir Alex Ferguson went head-to-head for the title with Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United, respectively.

Blackburn and the Red Devils were clear of the rest of the pack for much of the campaign, and just one point separated the two sides going into the final day of the season.

Blackburn lost to Liverpool, whom Daglish won six First Divisions with as a player and a further three as a manager, but Man United could only draw with West Ham United — so the title went to Ewood Park.

1995-96: Manchester United vs Newcastle United

The following season went down to the wire again. However, this time, Ferguson was the one hoisting the silverware.

Newcastle United was 12 points clear at the top of the table at one stage, but the Geordies’ advantage fell apart and they were feeling the pressure — which led to Kevin Keegan’s infamous ‘I will love it if we beat them’ outburst.

Man United were two points clear going into the final day, and a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough wrapped up the title. Newcastle could only draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

2011-12: Manchester City vs Manchester United

In his 26 years in charge at Old Trafford, few moments would have hurt Ferguson more than this one on the final day of the 2011-12 campaign.

The two rival sides were level on points going into the final game — with the Citizens needing to match the Red Devils’ score due to having a better goal difference.

It should have been easy work for City, as Roberto Mancini’s men hosted Queens Park Rangers and were the overwhelming favourites with those checking the odds on a bet calculator.

But they trailed the London side as the clock hit 90, and the Manchester United players and fans were prematurely celebrating their win in Sunderland.

Eden Dzeko made it 2-2 in the 91st minute, and Sergio Aguero scored arguably the most famous goal in Premier League history to win Man City their first title since 1968.

2021-22: Manchester City vs Liverpool

The second time in just a matter of years that Manchester City beat Liverpool to the title by a single point, the final day of the 2021-22 season was very dramatic.

Pep Guardiola’s men hosted Aston Villa at the Etihad, while the Reds were home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It looked like Gerrard was going to do something he couldn’t during his playing days and win his boyhood club the title.

It was tense going into the final quarter of both games, as Liverpool were drawing 1-1 with Wolves while Man City were losing 2-0 to Aston Villa.

The Sky Blues scored three times in five minutes to take a 3-2 lead, while the Reds also scored twice late on to win 3-1.

But it was Man City who were crowned champions for the fourth time in five years.