Five of the most dramatic final day moments

With the Premier League coming to an end this Sunday, spectators from all across the globe will be tuning into their television screens, as all 20 clubs prepare to play out the final matchday of the 2019/20 season.

There’s still plenty for the fans to get excited about too, as the race for the top four goes down to the wire. With 3rd and 4th position still up for grabs, Leicester City, who sit only a point behind Manchester United, host the Red Devils in a winner-takes-all scenario. Whilst Chelsea will also be hoping to secure Champions League football for next season, as they welcome Wolves to Stamford Bridge.

However, the action doesn’t end there, as the fight for survival continues with Aston Villa, Watford and Bournemouth all in with a chance of staying up. Villa are currently outside the bottom three but will be hoping for a positive result at West Ham in order to consolidate their place in the top division. Meanwhile, Watford, who are level on points, face a trip to Arsenal as they battle to overcome a -1 goal difference against Dean Smith’s side.

Bournemouth are also in with a chance of surviving, but are needing a win away to Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton side, and will also be relying on both Villa and Watford to fall to defeat in their games.

Whatever happens this Sunday, it will no doubt be a weekend to remember, as fans of the Premier League have been starved off some matchday 38 drama in recent years.

However, this hasn’t always been the case, so we’ve decided to take a look back at five of the most dramatic Premier League final days since the turn of the century.

2004/05 Baggies defy the odds and save themselves from relegation

Many believed West Bromwich Albion were destined for the drop in the 2004/05 season after a miserable first half of the season saw Bryan Robson’s side sit bottom of the pile at Christmas.

However, fast forward to the final day of the campaign and the Baggies were in with a fighting chance. They still had to rely on results around them though, but in a day which saw Crystal Palace only manage a point at Charlton, and with both Southampton and Norwich losing out to Manchester United and Fulham respectively, West Brom’s 2-0 win over Porstmouth proved to be enough, sending shock waves across the nation.

2006/07 Carlos Tevez controversially sends Sheffield United down

Talk of the 06/07 season will always leave a sour taste in the mouth for Sheffield United fans and Neil Warnock alike, but it will no doubt be remembered as one of the most dramatic, yet controversial ends to a Premier League campaign.

Prior to the final weekend, news was circulating that West Ham had broken strict rules whilst handling the transfer of Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez to the club, and proceedings took yet another twist when the Hammers travelled up to already-crowned champions Manchester United on the final day of the season.

Needing a win to move above Sheffield United and out of the dropzone, it just had to be Carlos Tevez who struck the decisive goal that kept the London club up, much to the outrage of the Blades supporters.

A legal dispute followed in the summer, but it wasn’t until almost two years later before West Ham were forced to pay £20 million in instalments, as compensation for the relegated side’s loss of income.

2005/06 Lasagne gate: Heartache for Spurs as Champions League dream comes to an end

Tottenham lost out to fierce rivals Arsenal in the race for top four after a defeat at West Ham, but was it more than just a poor performance that jeopardised Martin Jol’s hopes of leading Spurs to the Champions League?

Needing a victory at Upton Park, a lacklustre Spurs failed to deliver and ended up losing 2-1, with many players claiming afterwards that they had fell victim to food poisoning at the Canary Wharf hotel the night beforehand.

There were to be no such problems at Highbury however, as a Thierry Henry masterclass gave the Gunners that much sought after fourth spot in their last ever game at the famous stadium.

2007/08 Fulham stay up whilst United secure 10th Premier League crown

Three wins out of four gave Fulham a shout of staying up at the end of the 2007/08 campaign, but Roy Hodgson’s men still needed three points away to Portsmouth in order to pull off the great escape.

In a tense, nervy affair at Fratton Park, Danny Murphy scored the goal that kept the Cottagers alive in the top flight, which subsequently sent both Reading and Birmingham City down to the Championship.

There was also drama at the top end of the table as well, as Manchester United captured a second successive league title with a win away at Wigan Athletic, whilst closest challengers Chelsea were held at home to Bolton.

2011/12 Late Sergio Aguero strike sends the title across to the blue side of Manchester

Who could possibly forget this moment, one which will be remembered in Premier League folklore for years to come.

With both Manchester clubs tied neck and neck heading into the final weekend of the season, Roberto Mancini’s side needed a win against relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers, in order to wrap up their first title in 44 years.

However, it wasn’t quite that straightforward, and City found themselves trailing 2-1 to the visitors heading into stoppage time. Meanwhile, in the North-East, a Wayne Rooney strike was enough for United to see off the threat of Sunderland, as the supporters and staff on the bench had diverted their attention back to Manchester.

With everyone on the edge of their seat, Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko pounced in the 92nd minute to level the tie, before Sergio Aguero struck moments later to send the Etihad into raptures.

Luckily for QPR fans, Bolton had failed to win away at Stoke which ensured their status for another season, meaning there were to be smiles all around the Etihad after the final whistle had blown.

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