AFTER NINE MONTHS and 37 games, another Premier League season will draw to a close this Sunday.
Unlike previous years, there is not a whole lot to be decided on the final day of the campaign with Chelsea already crowned champions, the Champions League places finalised and two clubs’ fate already sealed.
However, that doesn’t rule out drama this weekend with one relegation berth still to be filled and Hull City fighting for their Premier League life.
Here, we look back at ten of the most memorable final down moments from down through the years.
2002/03 – Jesper Gronkjaer and the billion Pound goal
Arguably the game, and goal, which has defined Chelsea’s history. Jesper Gronkjaer’s dramatic winner against Liverpool saw the Blues secure Champions League qualification at the expense of their opponents.
A month later, Roman Abramovich bought the club and the rest, as they say, is history.
1990/00 – Against all odds, Bradford beat the drop
Bradford and Wimbledon headed into the final day level on points but not many gave The Bantams a chance with Champions League chasing Liverpool the visitors to Valley Parade. Lets just say David Wetherall will always be remembered for his goal that day as Bradford avoided the drop after Wimbledon lost to Southampton.
United fell behind to Tottenham at Old Trafford, giving Arsenal – who were just a point behind Alex Ferguson’s side – an opportunity to pip their rivals to the post.
However, the Red Devils ensured there would be no final day slip-up as goals either side of half-time from David Beckham and Andy Cole secured the title for United.
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As we all know, they would then go onto lift the FA Cup and pull off an incredible comeback in Barcelona to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
2005/06 – Sickener for Spurs
Lasagne won’t be on the Spurs pre-match menu for a long time. On the cusp of Champions League qualification, the Tottenham squad were struck down by a bout of food poisoning and a weakened side lost 2-1 at West Ham.
Arsenal, their North London rivals, comfortably accounted for Wigan and leapfrogged Martin Jol’s side into fourth.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
2006/07 - Tevez the hero at Old Trafford
Less than four months before he became a Manchester United player, Carlos Tevez helped West Ham stay afloat with an improbable win at Old Trafford.
United had already been crowned champions and Tevez took full advantage of the party atmosphere to hand the Hammers three crucial points and a win which sent Sheffield United back down to the Championship.
PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
2004/05 – The Great Escape
There have been many miracilous escapes but West Brom pulled off what has been widely acknowleged as the Great Escape.
The Baggies were bottom of the pile at Christmas but on a dramatic final day, Bryan Robson’s side beat Portsmouth and saw other results go their way.
Southampton, Norwich, Crystal Palace and West Brom all swapped positions during an incredible afternoon but it was at the Hawthorns where fans invaded the pitch at the final whistle to celebrate a truly remarakble escape.
Although they lost at Anfield, Blackburn Rovers scraped over the line to win the 1994/95 Premier League title. Jamie Redknapp’s stoppage time free-kick looked to have snatched the title from their grasp but news filtered through that their closest challengers, Man United, had only drawn at West Ham.
Having gone 2-0 down to Wimbledon, Everton were starring down the barrel. The Toffees looked down and out but they found something from somewhere to claw their way back into the game.
Graham Stuart then scored his second goal of the game, a strike which would embroil goalkeeper Hans Segers in match-fixing allegations. He was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing but Everton survived and Sheffied United went down.
Manager Mike Walker celebrates at the final whistle PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
2011/12 – AGUERROOOOOO
The most dramatic end to a season yet?
Manchester City’s grasp on their first league title in 44 years was slipping away as QPR threatened to spoil the party at Eastlands and hand the trophy to Man United after they had won at Sunderland.
Trailing by two goals heading into stoppage time, City somehow secured the title in the most dramatic fashion possible as Sergio Aguero powered past Rob Green to send the Ethiad Stadium into ectasy.
Knowing victory at Portsmouth would keep them up, Fulham did what was required of them and finished a difficult season in dramatic fashion to avoid the trap door. Danny Murphy scored the crucial goal with just a quarter of the game remaining as Roy Hodgson’s side somehow
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Which one of the above gets your vote for the most dramatic final day moment?
Remember West Brom's Grest Escape? Here's 10 dramatic final day moments
AFTER NINE MONTHS and 37 games, another Premier League season will draw to a close this Sunday.
Unlike previous years, there is not a whole lot to be decided on the final day of the campaign with Chelsea already crowned champions, the Champions League places finalised and two clubs’ fate already sealed.
However, that doesn’t rule out drama this weekend with one relegation berth still to be filled and Hull City fighting for their Premier League life.
Here, we look back at ten of the most memorable final down moments from down through the years.
2002/03 – Jesper Gronkjaer and the billion Pound goal
Arguably the game, and goal, which has defined Chelsea’s history. Jesper Gronkjaer’s dramatic winner against Liverpool saw the Blues secure Champions League qualification at the expense of their opponents.
A month later, Roman Abramovich bought the club and the rest, as they say, is history.
1990/00 – Against all odds, Bradford beat the drop
Bradford and Wimbledon headed into the final day level on points but not many gave The Bantams a chance with Champions League chasing Liverpool the visitors to Valley Parade. Lets just say David Wetherall will always be remembered for his goal that day as Bradford avoided the drop after Wimbledon lost to Southampton.
1998/99 – United’s march to the treble
United fell behind to Tottenham at Old Trafford, giving Arsenal – who were just a point behind Alex Ferguson’s side – an opportunity to pip their rivals to the post.
However, the Red Devils ensured there would be no final day slip-up as goals either side of half-time from David Beckham and Andy Cole secured the title for United.
As we all know, they would then go onto lift the FA Cup and pull off an incredible comeback in Barcelona to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
2005/06 – Sickener for Spurs
Lasagne won’t be on the Spurs pre-match menu for a long time. On the cusp of Champions League qualification, the Tottenham squad were struck down by a bout of food poisoning and a weakened side lost 2-1 at West Ham.
Arsenal, their North London rivals, comfortably accounted for Wigan and leapfrogged Martin Jol’s side into fourth.
2006/07 - Tevez the hero at Old Trafford
Less than four months before he became a Manchester United player, Carlos Tevez helped West Ham stay afloat with an improbable win at Old Trafford.
United had already been crowned champions and Tevez took full advantage of the party atmosphere to hand the Hammers three crucial points and a win which sent Sheffield United back down to the Championship.
2004/05 – The Great Escape
There have been many miracilous escapes but West Brom pulled off what has been widely acknowleged as the Great Escape.
The Baggies were bottom of the pile at Christmas but on a dramatic final day, Bryan Robson’s side beat Portsmouth and saw other results go their way.
Southampton, Norwich, Crystal Palace and West Brom all swapped positions during an incredible afternoon but it was at the Hawthorns where fans invaded the pitch at the final whistle to celebrate a truly remarakble escape.
1994/95 – Blackburn make history
Although they lost at Anfield, Blackburn Rovers scraped over the line to win the 1994/95 Premier League title. Jamie Redknapp’s stoppage time free-kick looked to have snatched the title from their grasp but news filtered through that their closest challengers, Man United, had only drawn at West Ham.
1993/94 – Everton beat Wimbledon to stay up
Having gone 2-0 down to Wimbledon, Everton were starring down the barrel. The Toffees looked down and out but they found something from somewhere to claw their way back into the game.
Graham Stuart then scored his second goal of the game, a strike which would embroil goalkeeper Hans Segers in match-fixing allegations. He was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing but Everton survived and Sheffied United went down.
2011/12 – AGUERROOOOOO
The most dramatic end to a season yet?
Manchester City’s grasp on their first league title in 44 years was slipping away as QPR threatened to spoil the party at Eastlands and hand the trophy to Man United after they had won at Sunderland.
Trailing by two goals heading into stoppage time, City somehow secured the title in the most dramatic fashion possible as Sergio Aguero powered past Rob Green to send the Ethiad Stadium into ectasy.
2007/08 – Fulham come back from the dead
Knowing victory at Portsmouth would keep them up, Fulham did what was required of them and finished a difficult season in dramatic fashion to avoid the trap door. Danny Murphy scored the crucial goal with just a quarter of the game remaining as Roy Hodgson’s side somehow
Which one of the above gets your vote for the most dramatic final day moment?
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Barclays Premier League Final day drama Looking Back Rewind