UEFA Champions League Matchday 2 - Perfect Maximum For British Sides

Last week’s UEFA Champions League action provided us with plenty of cheer for the British sides, as they produced five victories out of five competitive games.  There was also a remarkable 13 penalties in the midweek sixteen encounters.

After throwing away a two-goal lead in Bremen a fortnight earlier, Tottenham Hotspur embraced Champions League football for the first time at White Hart Lane, with a thrilling match against Dutch champions FC Twente.  Spurs won 4-1, although the final scoreline does not tell the full story of a pulsating and unpredictable encounter.  It was a mixed night for the new hero in North London, Rafael van der Vaart.  Van der Vaart had a first-half penalty brilliantly saved by Nicolay Milihayov, then scored a splendid opener early in the second half.  Less than ten minutes later, he was heading for an early shower after two daft challenges left him with a red card.  For such an experienced player as van der Vaart, it was a costly and unnecessary dismissal which rules him out of Tottenham’s trip to the San Siro in three weeks time.  Experienced Norwegian ref Terje Hauge, who has once refereed a Champions League final had an awful night too, giving Spurs three penalties, of which two were very debatable indeed.  Van der Vaart may have had his spot kick saved, but Roman Pavyluchenko coolly dispatched the other two without any fuss.  Gareth Bale put the seal on the result and with Werder Bremen being ripped apart by Inter Milan, losing 4-0 to Rafa Benitez’s defending champions, thanks to a Samuel Eto’o hat-trick, Tottenham will feel in a strong position to qualify from Group A.

Whereas Tottenham’s match was a joy to watch, Manchester United’s display in the Mestalla was content and professional, if very tedious to endure.  Their 1-0 win over Valencia, the current La Liga leaders has put them in total command of Group C.  With Rio Ferdinand back from injury, United looked far more solid at the back, and restricted Valencia to very little sights on goal.  With five minutes left, Nani counter-attacked, fed in Federico Macheda, who set-up fellow substitute Javier Hernandez.  Hernandez’s finish was clinical, and with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs missing, this result could be the pivotal one in the group for Sir Alex Ferguson’s campaigners.

After six successive home UEFA Champions League losses, Rangers stopped the rot in United’s group, recording a 1-0 win over Turkish rookies Buraspor.  Buraspor may have done extremely well to beat the likes of Besiktas and Fenerbache to win the Turkish championship, but they looked far out-of-their depth in Scotland, and had it been a more clinical side, could have received a tonking.  As it was only Rangers, the scoreline consequently looked far more respectable on them.  Rangers only goal came on 18 minutes, scored by the very dangerous Steven Naismith, diving in bravely to beat the goalkeeper to Kirk Broadfoot’s header.

Following an embarrassing Premiership slip-up at home to West Brom the previous Saturday, Arsenal couldn’t afford any errors in Serbia and there weren’t any, with a 3-1 win against Partizan Belgrade in a challenging environment doing the power of good for Arsene Wenger’s young-guns.  Andrei Arshavin buried the Gunners infront early on, set-up by a cute backheel from the impressive teenager Jack Wiltshire.  Partizan levelled before half-time, when Denilson handled in the penalty area and the resulting penalty was dispatched.  On the hour mark, defender Jovanovic was dismissed for hauling down Marouane Chamakh when the Moroccan was clear in on goal.  However, Arshavin spurned the chance, by having his penalty saved.  Luckily for the Russian, headers in the last twenty minutes from Chamakh and centre-back Sebastian Squillaci saw Arsenal home, and there was even time for Lukasz Fabianski to save a second Partizan penalty.  All in all, this was a very satisfying night for the red half of North London.

Chelsea had little trouble in easily dispensing the French champions Marseille, cruising to a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.  Slack marking from the visitors allowed John Terry to ghost in at the near post and strike the Blues ahead after only seven minutes.  Nicolas Anelka dispatched a second from the penalty spot on the half hour mark and Carlo Ancelotti’s men took their foot off the gas in the second half, with Arsenal around the corner in the Premiership.  Despite that, both Alex and Michael Essien (twice!) struck the woodwork in the second half.  For Didier Deschamps, the coach of Marseille, it was a meek display to watch and a very unhappy return to the club which he played for in the 1999/2000 Champions League campaign, Chelsea’s inaugural attempt at winning Europe’s premier club competition.

Elsewhere in Europe, Bayern Munich left it very late in Group E to win 2-1 in Switzerland against FC Basle.  Two goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger, the second in the 89^th minute sealing the victory and with Louis van Gaal about to sign a contract extension, things are looking up for last season’s runners-up.  In Group C, Barcelona escaped from Russia with a very fortuitous 1-1 draw against FC Rubin Kazan, who took four points off Pep Guardiola’s team last season.  The main positive for the bookies favourites is the return of Lionel Messi from injury, far quicker than anyone anticipated.  Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama scored from the penalty spot, but couldn’t prevent Hapoel Tel-Aviv from losing 3-1 at home to Lyon in Group B, who have made a shocking start to the French domestic season that has them in the bottom three, whilst substitute Angel di Maria scored the only goal in Real Madrid’s scrappy 1-0 Group G win in Auxerre.  The battle lines have been well and truly drawn, only after the next matchday can we start beginning to separate the contenders from the stragglers.

Rooney Plays Away - Why Are Footballers Caught Cheating?

Wayne Rooney answered some of his doubters last night, with an excellent performance in England’s 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland.  The Manchester United striker scored his first goal for the Three Lions in over a year and after a miserable summer in South Africa and a lacklustre start to the new Premiership campaign with his club, he looks to be back to his best.  However, it’s his scoring off the pitch that is making the headlines.

Tabloid newspapers the Daily Mirror and the News of the World reported on Sunday that Rooney had been playing away and sleeping with another woman, allegedly a prostitute in Spain.  It is also alleged that Rooney had paid this mysterious woman over £1,000 for steamy sessions, whilst his wife, Colleen was carrying his child.  True or not, this latest escapade adds to the list of high-profile footballers who have been caught out in their private lives this year.

First in January, the then England captain John Terry was reported to be having an affair with model Vanessa Perroncel, who was involved with Terry’s former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.  In March, Bridge decided to retire from international football, as he couldn’t play in the same team as Terry.  England boss Fabio Capello had little alternative in sacking Terry as England captain, replacing him with Rio Ferdinand.  Soon after this news broke out, Terry’s high-profile team-mate at Stamford Bridge, Ashley Cole had a barrage of tabloid reports, suggesting he’d had sexual relations with at least five women.  This was the final straw of his tense four-year marriage with the X-Factor judge and Girls Aloud sensation Cheryl Cole and a divorce was granted last week in the High Court.  Last month, it was Tottenham’s lanky striker Peter Crouch who came under fire for having relations with several women in Spain.  Although still together, it has severely damaged Crouchie’s previously clean reputation and his relationship with the model Abbey Clancy.  Now, with Rooney under the spotlight, you begin to wonder how many more footballers will have their private lives turned under the screw before the end of the year.

Capello and Rooney’s personal sponsors, Nike, Coca Cola and EA Sports have all backed Wayne publicly, insisting that it is just a ‘private matter.’  Surprisingly, his club manager Sir Alex Ferguson has remained quiet under the matter, and he is bound to face a grilling from the journalists at his traditional pre-match press conference at United’s training ground, Carrington on Friday morning. 

Some of the blame has been shifted onto the media, and news spreads fast nowadays, especially with the social networking generation.  Also, clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and especially Chelsea need to draw a line under these issues and tighten their policies when it comes to their highly-paid superstars going out to posh restaurants and flashy nightclubs in town.  Then, there’s the matter of the women involved, some seem to be in the game for having a good time and even launching ‘a career’ out of these saucy stories.  However, it is the footballers who need to trend a tight line.  One step out of line and the media have the capability of blowing the whole story out of proportion.  It takes two to tango, and maybe footballers should be setting a better role model to their idols, such as young children.  If these kids see these stories, they are going to think it is okay for them to do at an older age.  There can be no doubt that these are distasteful stories and they will get people interested, but it does set a very bad example for younger generations.

Rooney may have got through the initial stage with flying colours, but it will be interesting to see how Ferguson handles his troubled star, especially as Rooney is bound to get an absolute pasting this weekend.  Manchester United only head down to Merseyside on Saturday lunchtime to play his former club, Everton, who have never forgiven Rooney for his move to Old Trafford for £27million six years ago.  It could well be a spicy occasion and a very tricky afternoon for Rooney to keep his discipline in check.

Classic Premiership Matches 81-100

In the past 18 seasons, football fans across the globe have been treated to some cracking Premiership matches.  On the eve of the 19th season beginning tomorrow, here is a look-back at some classics down the years.

81.           Arsenal                                    2-2           Chelsea                                    Sunday 12^th December 2004

This was Jose Mourinho’s biggest test so far and as Sky Sports referred it to as ‘JUDGEMENT DAY.’  If it was a test, his side passed it with flying colours in a blockbuster of a London derby.  Thierry Henry smashed the champions infront after only 90 seconds, but John Terry responded with a wonderful header.  Henry gifted Arsenal back the lead, with a controversial free-kick, but Chelsea showed they were ready to take the crown away from a deadly foe and scrambled back level through Eidur Gudjohnsen early in the 2^nd half.  This was a worthy point for the new Kings of London.

82.           Nottingham Forest                 3-2           QPR                                        Sunday 2^nd October 1994

Nottingham Forest’s unbeaten start to the 1994/95 season remained, after a goal-busting 2^nd half in the Nottingham rain.  After a tepid first half, the game sparked into life with a spectacular 2^nd half, due to a top corner buster by Kingsley Black.  Les Ferdinand, Bryan Roy & substitute Bradley Allen traded goals in the next half hour and it was left to Forest’s golden boy, Stan Collymore to net the winner in the 88^th minute. 

83.           Southampton                          3-2           Charlton Athletic                    Sunday 7^th December 2003

Normally, this type of game has 0-0 written all over it, but with two sides in such decent form, it wasn’t going to happen, especially as it was televised.  Southampton had been cruising at half-time, two goals to the good through Michael Svensson and Brett Ormerod.  Charlton roared back into the contest through their playmaker, Scott Parker with two fantastic strikes, making him a popular name throughout the whole of London.  It wasn’t enough for a point though, as Ormerod hit the winner in the 86^th minute.

84.           Manchester United                  2-3           Derby County                         Saturday 5^th April 1997

Once again, an easy home banker was turned on its head, especially by the leggy Costa Rican forward Paulo Wanchope.  Making his Premiership debut, he took on the whole of the United defence and left the backline dazed at his quite incredible solo effort.  Now that is some way to make your mark in England.

85.           Birmingham City                    2-2           Arsenal                                    Saturday 23^rd February 2008

This game was the utter defining moment in the season for Arsenal, as the young guns collapsed totally in the run-in.  The match is overshadowed for a sickening challenge by Martin Taylor on Eduardo in the first minute.  Eduardo was stretchered off with a double leg fracture and his football career in genuine doubt and quite rightly, Taylor was dismissed.  With Arsenal 2-1 up in the dying stages, Gael Clichy conceded a soft penalty, which James McFadden converted.  Captain William Gallas lost the plot afterwards and had to be controlled by Arsene Wenger; it had been a pivotal lunchtime crunch for the Gunners and showed true weaknesses.

86.           Norwich City                          4-4           Middlesbrough                        Saturday 22^nd January 2005

Trailing 4-1 to Champions League chasing Middlesbrough with just nine minutes to go, the last rites were being written for Nigel Worthington’s side.  However, Dean Ashton sparked a sensational finish with his first goal for the Canaries.  Leon McKenzie’s brave header gave real hope to the home supporters and Carrow Road exploded in joy when Adam Drury completed the remarkable turnaround in stoppage time.  It wasn’t a win, but it must have felt like it.

87.           Manchester City                     2-3           Tottenham Hotspur                                Monday 23^rd December 2002

Two sides managed by former England head coaches put on a pre-Christmas cracker.  Ali Bernarbia’s curling shot was the pick of the goals and Christian Ziege was sent off, but headers through Chris Perry, Simon Davies and Gus Poyet steered Glenn Hoddle’s side to victory in their last visit to Maine Road.

88.           Fulham                                    3-4           Blackburn Rovers                   Monday 12^th April 2004

This vital win sealed in a topsy-turvy game was essential to Graeme Souness’s Blackburn avoiding the dreaded drop.  The winning strike came from Jon Stead on the hour mark and despite two goals by new Cottagers signing, Collins John, he ended up on the losing side.

89.           Newcastle United                    2-6           Manchester United                  Saturday 12^th April 2003

Newcastle’s vague title ambitions were destroyed by a ruthless Manchester United side, determined to get their hands back on the Premiership crown.  Despite a genius strike from Jermaine Jenas to break the deadlock, Newcastle ended up 4-1 down by half-time and 6-1 adrift by the hour mark.  Paul Scholes hit a rare hat-trick and Ruud Van Nistlerooy scored another penalty, equalling a Premiership record for most converted penalties in the season.  In the battle of the knights, Sir Alex held all the top cards over Sir Bobby.

90.           Chelsea                                    2-4           Manchester City                     Saturday 27^th February 2010

This match will be remembered the most for the infamous non-handshake between former pals John Terry and Wayne Bridge.  Terry’s private life had been exposed in the papers, with allegations of him having an affair with Bridge’s former girlfriend.  He lost the England captaincy and at this point, his club form dipped too.  Chelsea had a day to forget, despite Frank Lampard putting them ahead before half-time.  By the time Lampard got his second, from the penalty spot, City had ran riot and gone into a 4-1 lead, courtesy of doubles from Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez.  Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti were both sent off, this was a day of misery for the Blues and a joyous result for Wayne Bridge.

91.           Aston Villa                              3-2           Coventry City                         Saturday 5^th May 2001

To preserve their top-flight status, Coventry had to win this match at Villa Park and things were going well at half-time, with two corkers by Youssef Chippo.  Unfortunately for the Sky Blues, they were pegged back in the second half by old boys, George Boateng and Dion Dublin.  The killer was provided by Paul Merson in the closing moments to send Coventry crashing into Division 1.

92.           Manchester City                     3-1           Manchester United                  Saturday 9^th November 2002

The last ever Manchester derby at Maine Road produced a rare success for the Citizens half of Manchester.  A brace from Shaun Goater, culminating in 100 goals for the club gave Kevin Keegan’s side a memorable triumph to look back on forever.

93.           Chelsea                                    4-3           Tottenham Hotspur                                Sunday 27^th February 1994

Two down inside twenty minutes, Chelsea steamed back into the contest through Dennis Wise and a quickfire double from hotshot John Spencer.  Darren Anderton levelled matters in the second half, before a controversial penalty, slotted home by Mark Stein handed the West London outfit an improbable result.

94.           Charlton Athletic                    4-4           West Ham United                   Monday 19^th November 2001

A London derby full of drama thrills and spills.  The forgotten man of the Premiership, Paul Kitson hit an unlikely hat-trick and when Jermain Defoe scored his first ever Premiership goal against his former side, the Hammers were on course for a stunning win, having trailed the Addicks twice.  In injury time, a spectacular overhead kick from the charismatic striker Jonatan Johansson ensured a deserved share of the spoils.

95.           Manchester United                  2-2           Liverpool                                                Sunday 1^st October 1995

This was the day when the King of Old Trafford return.  Red No.7 returned on the grand stage and created a goal for Nicky Butt inside 60 seconds.  Liverpool’s own ace, Robbie Fowler rammed in an equaliser, smashing a Sky camera in the process.  He then took his second goal clinically, punishing Gary Neville for some slack defending.  In the 70^th minute, Ryan Giggs was tripped by Jamie Redknapp and a penalty awarded by David Elleray.  Cantona did the business, sending David James the wrong way, earning United a draw and announcing to the world: ‘I’m back.’

96.           Everton                                   2-3           Chelsea                                    Sunday 17^th December 2006

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea weren’t involved in many pulsating Premiership classics, but this was an exception to that rule.  Missing John Terry through injury, the champions were trailing 2-1 with ten minutes to play on Merseyside.  Step forward Frank Lampard with a classic strike, then Didier Drogba with the goal of the season to record Chelsea a massive win in the race for the title. 

97.           Bradford City                         4-4           Derby County                         Friday 21^st April 2000

This was a Good Friday bonanza between two relegation stragglers.  Derby went 2-0 up inside ten minutes, were trailing 3-2 by the interval and needed two red cards and a couple of cool penalties from skipper Craig Burley to rescue themselves a draw at Valley Parade.

98.           Chelsea                                    2-3           Arsenal                                    Sunday 21^st September 1997

At a new look Stamford Bridge, fans and neutrals were treated to an attacking feast of football from two championship contenders.  Gus Poyet tapped Chelsea into the lead, but two dodgy pieces of defending by Michael Duberry allowed Dennis Bergkamp in to hand the Gunners the lead.  Almost immediately, Gianfranco Zola responded in kind and despite Franck Lebouef seeing red for two bookable offences, the game looked set for a draw.  Then, in the 89^th minute, Nigel Winterburn produced a real rabbit from the hat to stun the Blues into silence.  A key win for Arsene Wenger’s side, this highlighting their push towards a maiden championship.

99.           Arsenal                                    1-3           Newcastle United                    Tuesday 18^th December 2001

November 1997 had been the last time Newcastle had won in the capital before this crunch meeting at Highbury, but they ended the jinx in some style.  Robert Pires gave Arsenal a half-time lead, but Ray Parlour was sent off for two yellow cards.  Andy O’Brien headed home an equaliser early in the second half, before Graham Poll’s second dodgy dismissal saw Craig Bellamy heading for an early shower.  He then should have sent off Sol Campbell with five minutes to go for hauling down Laurent Robert by being last man.  Only a penalty was given, but Newcastle didn’t mind as Alan Shearer banged the ball past Richard Wright.  Robert sealed a famous win for the Magpies in the closing stages, overshadowed by a late Thierry Henry rant that left him with a fine and one-match suspension for violent conduct.

100.         Manchester United                  1-4           Liverpool                                                Saturday 14^th March 2009

Liverpool had to win this game to stand any hope of winning their first championship in nearly two decades and they tore the European champions to shreds in their own backyard.  Things didn’t look good for Rafa Benitez when Pepe Reina fouled Ji-Sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo blasted the penalty home.  Moment’s later, Fernando Torres capitalised fully on a rare Nemanja Vidic error to level the scores.  When Patrice Evra fouled Torres on the stroke of half-time, Steven Gerrard’s penalty gave the host an unlikely lead.  Vidic was later dismissed and from the resulting free-kick, Fabio Aurelio curled in a beauty to wrap up the outcome.  To add insult to injury, Liverpool misfit Andrea Dossena produced a golden moment by lobbing Edwin Van Der Sar in stoppage time to compound United’s misery and highlight Liverpool’s glee.  The title race was back on.

   

Fabio Picks His Final 30 - Will It Be Enough For The Three Lions?

On Tuesday, Fabio Capello has some tough decisions to make and tricky questions to answer, as he name his 30-man provisional squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.  By June 1^st, he must cut seven more from the list.  Eyebrows were certainly raised by the selection of some, though all the familiar and predicted names made the list.  

The squad in full is:

GK: Joe Hart (Birmingham City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United)

DEF: Leighton Baines (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)

MID: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Tottenham Hotspur), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Parker (West Ham United), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa)

ATT: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

The surprises were the selections of Ledley King and Jamie Carragher.  King’s form of recent for Tottenham has been nothing sort of stunning, but his injury history would suggest taking him in the final 23 would be a massive gamble for Capello.  Carragher has been persuaded out of international retirement, having not played for his country since 2007, but he won’t be guaranteed a first-team place and he quite probably is more likely to be warming the bench more often than not.  Plus, his form for Liverpool has been very patchy this campaign.  This can only suggest that Capello can’t trust Glen Johnson’s defensive naivety, plus the form of disgrace former captain John Terry and Rio Ferdinand’s tendency to break down with injuries.

In the midfield, Fabio has taken another risk, with the selection of Gareth Barry.  An ankle injury suffered in Manchester City’s penultimate Premiership match against Tottenham Hotspur has left the ex-Villa player with a race against time to be fit for the World Cup opener in Rustenberg on June 12^th, against the USA.  Injury keeps Owen Hargreaves and as expected, David Beckham out, whilst Stewart Downing was a shock absentee from the final shortlist.  Instead, Adam Johnson’s gamble on swapping Championship football with Middlesbrough for Manchester City in January, as he has managed to win himself a chance of making the plane.  An out-of-form and out of contract Joe Cole is his rival for the left-midfield place, with Ashley Young another missing out.  Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone and West Ham’s Scott Parker have been rewarded for their fine campaigns with the chance of going to South Africa, though one, maybe both may miss out on the final cut.

Upfront, Capello looked set to pick Bobby Zamora, after his tremendous season with Fulham.  However, Zamora, who limped through 55 minutes of Fulham’s brave defeat in Wednesday’s UEFA Europa League final, told Capello he would be unable for selection, as he requires minor surgery on an Achilles problem.  With Gabby Agbonlahor fading badly with club form, and Carlton Cole’s fitness problems a gamble too far, it made Capello’s striking dilemma not an issue, with Darren Bent, 2^nd top English goalscorer this season, at Sunderland joining the regulars, Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch. 

Who makes the final 23 remains to be seen and Capello must make his final decision whilst on a England training camp in Austria, but he has picked a very strong initial 30-man squad, one of the strongest out of all the major nations.  Staying injury-free and playing well in England’s final friendly on home shores against Mexico in ten days time could provide to be the final piece in the jigsaw for Fabio, as he seeks to end forty-four years of hurt.

Race For The Premiership Title - The Previous Battles

Well, it was another sensational weekend in the Barclays Premiership, as this incredible title race took another dramatic swing.  First, Manchester United were thirty seconds away from conceding their Premiership crown and with it, becoming the most successful English club of all time, surpassing Liverpool’s 18 championships.  Then, Paul Scholes popped up unmarked in the Manchester City penalty area and changed the whole perplexion of this season.  This was a massive win for United, who have had a rotten ten days, which saw Chelsea took control of the Premiership and being dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

Four hours later, Tottenham Hotspur’s incredible week continued, with a thoroughly deserved success over their bitter London rivals, Chelsea.  Chelsea looked lax all afternoon and had it not been for Petr Cech, Spurs could have won by a far bigger margin.  John Terry is an absolute liability at the moment.  The ex-England captain’s form must surely concern Fabio Capello and two blatant fouls, resulted in an early bath.  Are Ancelotti’s men about to throw away a championship that to be honest, they have been in command in for most of the season?

Surely, Arsenal’s limp chances are now totally over.  Arsene Wenger will now go six seasons without any silverware, a sobering statistic and he watched in horror his side throw away an easy three points on Sunday lunchtime.  2-0 up at struggling Wigan, the Gunners pressed self-destruct, and conceding three goals in the last ten minutes to end their lingering title hopes.  Diabolical goalkeeping from the inadequate Lukas Fabianski and the ageing defence were found wanting, as Wigan secured their Premiership status for another season.  This will go down as one of the most spectacular collapses in Premiership history.

It looks like it will now be between Chelsea and Manchester United for the title run-in now, both with pivotal fixtures that could change the outcome.  This Saturday, United face in-form Tottenham at Old Trafford and on May 2^nd, Chelsea have a tricky trip to Anfield, to play an out-of-form Liverpool.  It is quite probable that whoever gets the better result in these games will end up as champion. 

With the 2009/10 season turning into the closest battle in Premier League history, here’s a brief lookback at the four title battles that have gone down to the wire, most ending in Manchester United’s favour.

1994/95

This was quite probably the best ever Premiership season on record.  Kenny Dalglish’s Blackburn Rovers side entered the final day, two points clear of Manchester United, who were looking for their third successive championship.  Blackburn knew that victory at Anfield against Liverpool would guarantee them their first title in 81 years, and made a brilliant start, with Alan Shearer’s 34^th goal of the season, giving them the lead after twenty minutes.  Soon afterwards, United, needing to beat West Ham at Upton Park fell a goal behind, courtesy of Michael Hughes.  However, everything changed in the second half of both matches, as John Barnes levelled the scores at Anfield and then Brian McClair headed Manchester United back into business in East London.  Alex Ferguson now knew one more goal would win the title, but some poor finishing from the hapless Andy Cole, together with inspired goalkeeping from Ludek Mikolsko kept the Red Devils at bay.  In the dying stages on Merseyside, Jamie Redknapp swept in a free-kick to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory.  Seconds later, Blackburn fans were celebrating the championship, as news filtered through that Manchester United had been held to a 1-1 draw at Upton Park.  Blackburn ended up as champions in the most amazing way possible.

1995/96

Twelve months later, Manchester United was involved in a tense title battle again, this time against Kevin Keegan’s free-scoring Newcastle United.  Keegan’s side were twelve points clear in January, but then United hit top form, culminating in a 1-0 win at St. James Park in March.  Newcastle lost their way, their lead and then Kev blew his lid live on Sky Sports after a tight 1-0 win at Leeds in late April.  It referred to comments Ferguson had made about Leeds a fortnight earlier and Keegan totally lost the plot, a victim to the greatest man of mind games, Alex Ferguson.  After conceding a late goal to Ian Woan and Nottingham Forest the Thursday before, Newcastle needed their North East rivals Middlesbrough to do them a favour and beat Manchester United at the Riverside on the last day of the season.  This was never likely and goals from David May, Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs sealed an easy 3-0 win for Ferguson’s men, and the championship for the 3^rd time in four seasons.  Newcastle drew 1-1 at home to Tottenham, and ended the season four points shy.

1998/99

Manchester United completed the first leg of a historic treble on an epic Sunday afternoon in May 1999, but only after they were pushed all the way by defending champions Arsenal.  In a title battle that swung back-and-forth all campaign, United held a two point lead into the final games, helped by an Arsenal loss in their penultimate match at Leeds United.  Alex Ferguson’s side conceded an early goal at Old Trafford to Tottenham and Les Ferdinand.  However, strikes from David Beckham and Andy Cole were the difference, as the 2-1 win secured them a fifth championship in seven seasons.  Kanu’s clever backheel which forced Arsenal to a 1-0 final day success over Aston Villa at Highbury turned out to be irrelevant to the final outcome.

2007/08

Starting equal on points, whoever got the better result out of Manchester United or Chelsea would wrap up the Premiership title.  United survived some nervous scares, but wrapped up a 10^th title at Wigan, winning 2-0 at the JJB Stadium through goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and super sub, Ryan Giggs.  Chelsea and Avram Grant missed out, after being held to a 1-1 stalemate at home to Bolton at Stamford Bridge.