Manchester United dealt their derby rivals Manchester City a body blow, defeating them 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. The Citizens are now 14 points behind league leaders Liverpool and many are wondering if there is still a way back for City in their bid to defend their title.
In this feature, we discuss 5 of the most improbable campaigns in the English Premier League history, when teams overcame a big deficit in points to force their way to the title.
1. 1995-96, 12 points, Manchester United
In January 1996, Newcastle United was up by a dozen and a fairytale script seemed to be in the works. The team was hugely popular, with the Brits embracing the 'entertainers'. With Eric Cantona back in the ranks, United set off on a solid run, even as Newcastle seem to have hit against a wall.
With the title race heating up, Sir Alex Ferguson suggested that lower table teams such as Nottingham Forest could not try as hard against Newcastle. The comment irritated Kevin Keegan, who let his steam out on Sky Sports, even suggesting that United need a result against Middleborough to stay in the hunt. United did just that and Ferguson, the master at mind games, succeeded in unnerving Keegan.
The Red Devils won 13 of the last 15 games to upend Newcastle to take the title - as unlikely an outcome as they come for a team lying fifth on Boxing Day.
2. 1997-98, 12 points, Arsenal
This title run was a near miracle. Arsenal was trailing by 11 with only 9 games left to close out another thrilling battle against Manchester United. The turning point came in the 30th game of the season when United hosted Arsenal at Old Trafford. The Gunners took the hosts down 1-0 and it turned out to be a pivotal game. Arsenal took off from there, clawing their way back with a relentless run before securing the title by a solitary point.
Arsenal was languishing in sixth position heading into Christmas after 3 defeats in November and December left them vulnerable and exposed. By February, they were trailing United by 12 points, with all hopes seemingly extinguished.
A stellar run of 10 straight victories including an away victory over United turned the tide for Arsenal in spectacular fashion. They won the title by one point, despite losing their last two matches of the season. That victory in 1997-98 remains one of Arsene Wenger's greatest achievements of his over two-decade reign at Arsenal.
3. 2013-14, 9 points, Manchester City
It is the Citizens again. This time against Liverpool. It was the beginning of the Manuel Pelligrini helm at the club. Liverpool had even beaten City 3-2 with only 6 games left to play. But Pelligrini’s boys drew against Sunderland before winning their last 5 games of the season to overturn the deficit and take a second title in 3 seasons, 2 points ahead of Liverpool.
In a three-way race to the title, City's hopes suffered a big blow when they lost an away game to Liverpool before drawing the game against Sunderland at home. Only 5 games remained after that and the title race was wide open, with Liverpool and Chelsea breathing down each other's neck.
City went on to win all those 5 games, but the vital victory came against Everton in an away game. It was their 36th fixture of the season and City squeezed out a memorable 3-2 win to keep their hopes intact. In the end, City had 86 points, Liverpool had 84 and Chelsea finished with 82.
4. 2002-03, 8 points, Manchester United
United was trailing by 8 points on two separate occasions during a dramatic season as they battled against Arsenal. At the second instance, it was already March and Arsenal was nearly home. But United had caught a second wind on Boxing Day and rode on an unbeaten run, all the way to the end of the league and as unlikely as it may seem, trumped Arsenal by 5 points.
United went 15-3-0 during that stretch upending the leaders in the final weeks of the Premier League season. The drawn matches were against Manchester City (1-1), Bolton Wanderers (1-1), both of them in February. The only other draw during that stretch came against their rivals Arsenal (2-2) in an away game in April.
They put the finishing touches on an incredible campaign to afford David Beckham the perfect farewell from United. In the last match of the season and the final one for Beckham in United colours, the Englishman scored the first goal in the 45th minute as United beat Everton 2-1 to seal the title run.
5. 2011-12, 8 points, Manchester City
Manchester City can look at their own history for inspiration. Sir Alex Ferguson’s boys were ahead by 8 points, with only 9 games left to play. Robert Mancini had essentially conceded that the chase was no more than a pipe dream. But in a sudden twist, United lost to Wigan and Everton before losing the derby 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
With only 2 games left after the derby, United had no time to recover. Both teams finished on 89 points, but City had a goal difference of 64, while United had a net difference of 56 goals. City had to win their last 6 games to tie with United on points.
In an intense finish on the final day of the season, despite City struggling to put it past Queens Park Rangers, Sergio Agüero’s strike proved to be the difference between the two Manchester teams, City winning the league on goal difference.
How about in 2019-20?