The final day of the Premier League season often delivers more than routine fare. With relegation battles, title races, and European spots hanging in the balance, some finales have produced iconic moments that remain etched in English football history.
1995: Blackburn Win the Title, But Lose at Anfield
Blackburn Rovers arrived at Anfield knowing a win would secure them the league regardless of Manchester United’s result. Kenny Dalglish’s side lost 2-1, but United’s failure to beat West Ham meant Blackburn still claimed their first top-flight title since 1914. The sight of Dalglish, torn between celebration and sympathy for his former club Liverpool, remains a defining image.
1999: Arsenal Fall Short as United Set Up the Treble
Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa was not enough. Manchester United beat Tottenham 2-1 at Old Trafford to clinch the title, the first leg of their historic treble. Spurs briefly led, adding tension to the occasion, but United overturned the deficit before half-time.
2005: West Brom’s Great Escape
West Bromwich Albion began the day bottom of the table and needing a series of results to survive. Against the odds, they beat Portsmouth while all three relegation rivals failed to win. Bryan Robson’s side became the first Premier League team bottom at Christmas to avoid the drop.
2012: Aguero’s Stoppage-Time Title Winner
Few moments in football history rival the drama of Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp goal against QPR. With Manchester City seconds from handing the title to rivals United, Aguero’s strike in the 94th minute turned the tables. Martin Tyler’s commentary and the wild scenes at the Etihad have come to define modern Premier League theatre.
2003: West Ham Go Down With 42 Points
Despite boasting players like Paolo Di Canio, Jermain Defoe, and Joe Cole, West Ham were relegated after drawing 2-2 with Birmingham. Bolton’s win over Middlesbrough rendered the Hammers’ efforts meaningless. No Premier League side has been relegated with more points.
2016: Tottenham Collapse at Newcastle
While Leicester had already clinched the title, Tottenham needed a win to secure second. Instead, they collapsed 5-1 to an already relegated Newcastle side. Arsenal leapfrogged them on the final day, completing an unlikely St Totteringham’s Day after all.
2022: City Comeback Leaves Liverpool Short
On the last day, Liverpool hoped Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa could deny Manchester City. For a while, it looked likely as Villa took a 2-0 lead. But City turned the match around in six frantic minutes with goals from Gundogan and Rodri, sealing a 3-2 win and their fourth title in five years.
1994: Everton Survive by Inches
Everton were trailing 2-0 to Wimbledon and heading for relegation. But a controversial penalty decision helped turn the tide. They clawed back to win 3-2 while results elsewhere went in their favour. Goodison Park erupted, though the win remained steeped in controversy.
2023: Leicester and Leeds Drop Despite Final-Day Drama
Everton once again found themselves fighting for survival. Abdoulaye Doucouré’s strike against Bournemouth ensured their safety, while Leicester’s win over West Ham and Leeds’ heavy loss to Spurs proved futile. Both clubs went down, illustrating that even victories on the final day can sometimes fall short.
Takeaway
Final days in the Premier League are rarely short of tension or emotion. Whether it is the cruelty of relegation, the jubilation of a title, or the fine margins that separate both, these moments continue to shape the mythology of the competition. Every season brings the possibility of adding a new chapter to its already rich final-day highlights.