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1997-98 Winners: Arsenal
The first half of Arsenal?s season was rocky, their results fluctuated as they lacked consistent performances. By December 1997 they sat 13 points behind leaders Manchester United after previously being in contention for first place and defeating United in November.
But boss Arsene Wenger masterminded a brilliant undefeated sequence of 15 wins and three draws in 18 games in his first full season as manager at the club.
Which also included a huge win against United. So with two games remaining, Arsenal had taken the lead ahead of the team who many believed had already won the title at Christmas.
Despite being ?out of contention? in the first half of the season, Arsenal recorded ten consecutive victories to capture the title, and could even afford to rest their players for the FA Cup final as they lost their last two games of the season.
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1995-96 Winners: Manchester United
This season saw Newcastle United dazzle the Premier League with impressive performances and attacking football, which resulted in them gaining a 12-point lead over closest rivals Manchester United.
The Red Devils never let-up on their title chase however, and Kevin Keegan?s side were succumbing to the pressure of the 10-time champions despite their recent captivating performances from stars such as Les Ferdinand and David Ginola, who have now become synonymous with the club.
From February, the Toon slumped over a six-match period, taking only four points, whereas United took a massive 16 points to close the gap considerably.
And the nerves finally got to the Magpies when they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against United in March, thanks to a goal from legend Eric Cantona.
Sir Alex Ferguson?s side won almost every game in the second half of the season, whereas Keegan?s Newcastle lost a few key games and became a victim of the infamous Fergie mind-games.
The title was Newcastle United?s to lose, but the relentless Manchester United managed to close the gap in a fantastic comeback.
This season was also the coining of that now infamous phrase by pundit Alan Hansen: ?You can?t win anything with kids.? After United lost their opening game of the season. I?m sure he still gets stick for that.
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2002-03 Winners: Manchester United
The seemingly unbeatable Arsenal held the lead at the top of the table for a good portion of the season. After the first six games of the campaign, the Gunners led the table whilst challengers Manchester United were ninth, already six-points behind.
With the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires in their arsenal (pun intended) Arsene Wenger?s side were deemed ?unplayable? at times.
They remained top of the league up until February, where they struck fear into the hearts of all challengers when they defeated Manchester City 5-1.
A certain bookmaker were so confident that Arsenal would hold on to their eight-point lead that they paid-out to those who had bet on them to win the title.
But alas, the pressure got to the Gunners.
Their first loss of 2003 came against Blackburn Rovers, they were then held to a draw at Aston Villa, as United strung together an 18-match unbeaten run.
The London club gave away a two-goal lead against Bolton, putting United favourites to win the league after their win the day before against Tottenham Hotspur.
Sir Alex Ferguson?s side beat Charlton 4-1, piling the pressure on Arsenal which meant they had to beat relegation-tipped Leeds to keep their title hopes alive.
An 88th minute goal from legend Mark Viduka secured their safety, but sunk the Gunners, and Sir Alex received the news of an eighth title in eleven years, during a round of golf.
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2011-12 Winners: Manchester City
Of course. The most dramatic, incredible, unbelievable season, most notably the final day. The top-spot was a seesaw between Manchester City and arch rivals Manchester United, like two prize-fighters trading blows on one another.
City beat United 6-1 in October at Old Trafford, which shocked the Red Devils and would have dented their belief in winning a 20th title.
The Citizens held the top spot until March, but following a loss against Swansea City, United took over.
This prompted a poor run of form from the Blues, whereas the other side of Manchester was enjoying a rich vein of form and the gap at the top was eight points, putting Sir Alex Ferguson?s side as firm favourites.
However, this lead didn?t last long, as they drew three matches and the gap closed to just three points, then a win at home at the Etihad Stadium put City top on goal difference.
And then came arguably the most dramatic final day of the season ever.
United had won their game, and City were losing against a ten-man Queens Park Rangers side and looked destined to lose their grip on the title. But an equaliser from Edin Dzeko in the 92nd minute gave City fans hope.
Then, with a moment of football history that will be shown time and again was produced, Sergio Aguero slotted home with literally the last kick of the season, to secure the title for Mancini?s team, and capped a truly wonderful, topsy-turvy season.
The first half of Arsenal?s season was rocky, their results fluctuated as they lacked consistent performances. By December 1997 they sat 13 points behind leaders Manchester United after previously being in contention for first place and defeating United in November.
But boss Arsene Wenger masterminded a brilliant undefeated sequence of 15 wins and three draws in 18 games in his first full season as manager at the club.
Which also included a huge win against United. So with two games remaining, Arsenal had taken the lead ahead of the team who many believed had already won the title at Christmas.
Despite being ?out of contention? in the first half of the season, Arsenal recorded ten consecutive victories to capture the title, and could even afford to rest their players for the FA Cup final as they lost their last two games of the season.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995-96 Winners: Manchester United
This season saw Newcastle United dazzle the Premier League with impressive performances and attacking football, which resulted in them gaining a 12-point lead over closest rivals Manchester United.
The Red Devils never let-up on their title chase however, and Kevin Keegan?s side were succumbing to the pressure of the 10-time champions despite their recent captivating performances from stars such as Les Ferdinand and David Ginola, who have now become synonymous with the club.
From February, the Toon slumped over a six-match period, taking only four points, whereas United took a massive 16 points to close the gap considerably.
And the nerves finally got to the Magpies when they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against United in March, thanks to a goal from legend Eric Cantona.
Sir Alex Ferguson?s side won almost every game in the second half of the season, whereas Keegan?s Newcastle lost a few key games and became a victim of the infamous Fergie mind-games.
The title was Newcastle United?s to lose, but the relentless Manchester United managed to close the gap in a fantastic comeback.
This season was also the coining of that now infamous phrase by pundit Alan Hansen: ?You can?t win anything with kids.? After United lost their opening game of the season. I?m sure he still gets stick for that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002-03 Winners: Manchester United
The seemingly unbeatable Arsenal held the lead at the top of the table for a good portion of the season. After the first six games of the campaign, the Gunners led the table whilst challengers Manchester United were ninth, already six-points behind.
With the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires in their arsenal (pun intended) Arsene Wenger?s side were deemed ?unplayable? at times.
They remained top of the league up until February, where they struck fear into the hearts of all challengers when they defeated Manchester City 5-1.
A certain bookmaker were so confident that Arsenal would hold on to their eight-point lead that they paid-out to those who had bet on them to win the title.
But alas, the pressure got to the Gunners.
Their first loss of 2003 came against Blackburn Rovers, they were then held to a draw at Aston Villa, as United strung together an 18-match unbeaten run.
The London club gave away a two-goal lead against Bolton, putting United favourites to win the league after their win the day before against Tottenham Hotspur.
Sir Alex Ferguson?s side beat Charlton 4-1, piling the pressure on Arsenal which meant they had to beat relegation-tipped Leeds to keep their title hopes alive.
An 88th minute goal from legend Mark Viduka secured their safety, but sunk the Gunners, and Sir Alex received the news of an eighth title in eleven years, during a round of golf.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2011-12 Winners: Manchester City
Of course. The most dramatic, incredible, unbelievable season, most notably the final day. The top-spot was a seesaw between Manchester City and arch rivals Manchester United, like two prize-fighters trading blows on one another.
City beat United 6-1 in October at Old Trafford, which shocked the Red Devils and would have dented their belief in winning a 20th title.
The Citizens held the top spot until March, but following a loss against Swansea City, United took over.
This prompted a poor run of form from the Blues, whereas the other side of Manchester was enjoying a rich vein of form and the gap at the top was eight points, putting Sir Alex Ferguson?s side as firm favourites.
However, this lead didn?t last long, as they drew three matches and the gap closed to just three points, then a win at home at the Etihad Stadium put City top on goal difference.
And then came arguably the most dramatic final day of the season ever.
United had won their game, and City were losing against a ten-man Queens Park Rangers side and looked destined to lose their grip on the title. But an equaliser from Edin Dzeko in the 92nd minute gave City fans hope.
Then, with a moment of football history that will be shown time and again was produced, Sergio Aguero slotted home with literally the last kick of the season, to secure the title for Mancini?s team, and capped a truly wonderful, topsy-turvy season.
