The final season of the old First Division was one to forget for Liverpool who finished sixth — their first time outside the top two in more than a decade.
The Reds had gone five league games without a win and looked to have switched their focus to the FA Cup (which they went on to win) when Manchester United arrived at Anfield for their final home game of the season.
The maths were simple for United. If they lost, it would hand Leeds United the title with a game to spare.
Liverpool weren’t feeling in anyway charitable though. Goals from Ian Rush and Mark Walters gave them a 2-0 win and crowned Leeds champions.
Blackburn Rovers hadn’t won a league title in 81 years but as they went into the final day of the 1994/95 season, they had one hand on the trophy.
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They were two points clear of Manchester United who knew that for them to have any chance, they needed to beat West Ham and then hope that Liverpool held Blackburn to a draw or worse at Anfield.
There were plenty of Liverpool fans that would have happily seen their side lose, not least because club legend Kenny Dalglish was Blackburn boss, but Jamie Redknapp’s last-gasp free gave them an unexpected 2-1 win.
Blackburn’s dream looked to be dead but word quickly filtered through that United had only drawn 1-1 at Upton Park, thanks in no small part to an inspired performance from West Ham keeper Ludek Miklosko.
The final day of the 98/99 season started with Manchester United leading Arsenal by a point. If Arsene Wenger’s champions were to retain their crown, they needed a huge favour from London rivals Spurs who travelled to Old Trafford on the final day of the season.
The Gunners took care of their own business, beating Aston Villa 1-0 at Highbury, and for a brief moment it looked like Spurs were going to do the unthinkable. Les Ferdinand put the visitors 1-0 up and left United’s title bid hanging by a thread.
But goals from David Beckham and Andy Cole pulled it out of the bag for United who went on to clinch their historic treble.
Manchester United were bidding for their fourth straight Premier League title in 2009/2010 but as the season reached its climax, it was advantage Chelsea.
Chelsea’s final game of the season was at home to hapless Wigan and so United knew that their destiny lay in the hands of Liverpool, who hosted Carlo Ancelotti’s side in their penultimate match.
It wasn’t to be for United as a Steven Gerrard mistake gifted Didier Drogba the opening goal before Frank Lampard sealed a 2-0 win and, effectively, the title.
Liverpool are banking on Everton - but here are 4 other times when teams needed a big favour
1991/1992
The final season of the old First Division was one to forget for Liverpool who finished sixth — their first time outside the top two in more than a decade.
The Reds had gone five league games without a win and looked to have switched their focus to the FA Cup (which they went on to win) when Manchester United arrived at Anfield for their final home game of the season.
The maths were simple for United. If they lost, it would hand Leeds United the title with a game to spare.
Liverpool weren’t feeling in anyway charitable though. Goals from Ian Rush and Mark Walters gave them a 2-0 win and crowned Leeds champions.
1994/1995
Blackburn Rovers hadn’t won a league title in 81 years but as they went into the final day of the 1994/95 season, they had one hand on the trophy.
They were two points clear of Manchester United who knew that for them to have any chance, they needed to beat West Ham and then hope that Liverpool held Blackburn to a draw or worse at Anfield.
There were plenty of Liverpool fans that would have happily seen their side lose, not least because club legend Kenny Dalglish was Blackburn boss, but Jamie Redknapp’s last-gasp free gave them an unexpected 2-1 win.
Blackburn’s dream looked to be dead but word quickly filtered through that United had only drawn 1-1 at Upton Park, thanks in no small part to an inspired performance from West Ham keeper Ludek Miklosko.
Blackburn were champions.
1998/1999
The final day of the 98/99 season started with Manchester United leading Arsenal by a point. If Arsene Wenger’s champions were to retain their crown, they needed a huge favour from London rivals Spurs who travelled to Old Trafford on the final day of the season.
The Gunners took care of their own business, beating Aston Villa 1-0 at Highbury, and for a brief moment it looked like Spurs were going to do the unthinkable. Les Ferdinand put the visitors 1-0 up and left United’s title bid hanging by a thread.
But goals from David Beckham and Andy Cole pulled it out of the bag for United who went on to clinch their historic treble.
2009/2010
Manchester United were bidding for their fourth straight Premier League title in 2009/2010 but as the season reached its climax, it was advantage Chelsea.
Chelsea’s final game of the season was at home to hapless Wigan and so United knew that their destiny lay in the hands of Liverpool, who hosted Carlo Ancelotti’s side in their penultimate match.
It wasn’t to be for United as a Steven Gerrard mistake gifted Didier Drogba the opening goal before Frank Lampard sealed a 2-0 win and, effectively, the title.
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