Every Premier League title decided on the final day – Ranked by drama

With the title race heading into its final weeks, it’s worth remembering that the Premier League has a habit of saving its cruelest and most glorious moments for the very last afternoon of the season.

Five times in the Premier League era, the championship hasn’t been settled until the final whistle on the final day. With Arsenal leading by six points and Manchester City having two games in hand, we could yet see another title race going down to the wire.

But, before we see the climax of the 2025/26 Premier League, here are the best title races that were decided on the final day, ranked from memorable to utterly unforgettable.

5. Manchester City, 2018/19 – The 98-point title

City went into the final day level on points with Liverpool, who had finished their season with 97 points, the highest total ever by a title-losing side. City needed to beat Brighton at the Amex to take it. They went behind in the 27th minute to make it a bit interesting.

However, Aguero scored immediately after City conceded. Laporte added another before half time. While Liverpool won against Wolves at Anfield, City won 4-1 and were crowned champions.

4. Chelsea, 2010 – Ancelotti’s beautiful finale

Chelsea went into the last day needing to beat Wigan while hoping Manchester United slipped up. United won 4-0, but Chelsea destroyed Wigan 8-0, as it happened, with Didier Drogba scoring four. It was emphatic rather than agonising, a celebration masquerading as a match.

The title was Ancelotti’s first in England, secured with the kind of scoreline that belongs in a video game. Clinical, dominant, a little anticlimactic. Which is fine. Not everything needs to hurt.

3. Blackburn Rovers, 1995 – Winners by losing

Blackburn went to Anfield on the final day needing a win to guarantee the title. They lost. Manchester United, needing Blackburn to slip up, could only manage a draw at West Ham, instead and it wasn’t enough.

Rovers, beaten 2-1 by Liverpool, clinched the championship. The moment the final whistle blew, Blackburn’s players were watching on a TV in the away dressing room. They celebrated as losers. One of the strangest, most brilliant final days the league has ever produced.

2. Manchester City, 2022 – Comebacks are contagious

Manchester City needed to beat Aston Villa on the final day, with Liverpool, who beat Wolves 3-1, watching on. Villa led 2-0 at the Etihad with an hour gone, and suddenly the unthinkable was live: Liverpool were about to be champions. Then Gundogan headed in on 76 minutes.

Soon after Rodri equalised. Then Gundogan again, 81 minutes, to make it 3-2. Three point swing in five extraordinary minutes. The Etihad lost its mind. Liverpool, who had done everything asked of them all season, were left to reflect on what might have been.

1. Manchester City, 2012 – Agueroooo

City needed to beat QPR. They were losing 2-1 deep into stoppage time. Edin Dzeko pulled one back. Then, with the clock at 93:20, Sergio Aguero collected a pass from Mario Balotelli, turned, and scored. City won 3-2.

Manchester United finished their match thinking they’d won the title. Martin Tyler’s commentary became instant legend. It is, without argument, the most dramatic moment in league history, and the benchmark against which every final-day title race is measured.