Premier League Title Fight: The Closest In Years

We’re heading into the final stretch of this year’s Premier League, and it’s still looking incredibly close at the top.

After last night’s 4-1 win over Luton, Liverpool currently see themselves 4 points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City, and a further point ahead of Arsenal. However, the current leaders have played one game more – so it is possible to see those gaps close to just 1 and 2 points respectively.

Since the formation of the Premier League in 1992, there have been three seasons in which the top 3 were separated by just 4 points, which is the closest the top 3 have managed to be.

The first of those was in 1998/99 – Manchester United‘s treble year. Sometimes forgotten is that the treble almost didn’t happen – Arsenal were ahead with 2 games to go, but a loss to Leeds gave United the advantage they needed to take the Premiership by just a single point. Chelsea finished in 3rd that season with 75 points.

Next was 2007/08, which saw the same three teams involved with a slightly different outcome. Chelsea didn’t lose a single game after December 16th that season, and pushed Manchester United all the way to the end – unfortunately for them, United didn’t slip and were able to take the crown yet again. Arsenal finished 3rd, however they were leading the way in February – a draw to Birmingham though started a chain in which they only won one game from the next eight, so just 2 months later they were, realistically, out of the picture. Still, they finished with 83 points to United’s 87.

The most recent example comes from 2013/14 – the infamous season for that slip when Liverpool looked like they were finally going to win the Premier League for the first time. This – along with dropping points to Crystal Palace – ultimately allowed Manchester City to come through and win the Premiership for the second time. Chelsea, who had led the way earlier in the season, slipped up after losses to Aston Villa and Crystal Palace (though, oddly, slap bang in the middle of this was a 6-0 thrashing of Arsenal). Fun fact on this season – the lead at the top changed a total of 25 times!

Can it be this close for our current three teams of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, or will it be even closer? One thing’s for sure – Manchester City still have to play both Liverpool and Arsenal again, so some things will have to give before we get to May. But for the neutral though, this will be an exciting end to the season as it currently stands!

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Ashley