Manchester City or Liverpool? The drama of the final-day finishes - in pictures

History favours City after all eight of the last-day showdowns in the Premier League have gone to the side in front

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Manchester City go into the final match of the Premier League as favourites to lift the trophy – and history is on their side when it comes to last-day finishes.

City lead Liverpool by one point and they both have home games – against Aston Villa and Wolves – respectively on Sunday as all 10 remaining games kick off at the same time.

It will mark the ninth time in the Premier League era that the title race has been decided in the last round of fixtures, and on each of the previous eight occasions, the team in first place before kick-off went on to lift the silverware.

Every Premier League leader playing at home to finish the season has won the game, though City went close to blowing their opportunity in 2012 when Roberto Mancini's team had to score twice in stoppage time to defeat QPR 3-2 and beat Manchester United to the title.

1994-95

Blackburn won their only Premier League title despite losing 2-1 on the final day at Liverpool. Manchester United started the day two points behind in second place but could only draw 1-1 at West Ham.

1995-96

Alex Ferguson's Manchester United bounced back to win the title the following year, this time having no problems on a final-day fight with Kevin Keegan's Newcastle. United had a two-point lead and won 3-0 at Middlesbrough while Toon, who led the table by 12 points in February, drew 1-1 with Tottenham.

1998-99

Another title for Manchester United, who needed to come from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1 at home and hold off Arsenal by a point. Arsenal did their job by beating Aston Villa 1-0 and were given hope by Les Ferdinand's early goal for Tottenham. David Beckham equalised for United and Andy Cole's deft lob in the 47th minute proved decisive.

2007-08

Both Manchester United and Chelsea entered the final day on 84 points, with United leading on goal difference. United beat Wigan 2-0 away thanks to goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, while Chelsea could only draw at Bolton 1-1 after conceding a late equaliser. United and Chelsea met in the Champions League final 10 days later – and again United triumphed after a penalty shoot-out.

2009-10

Chelsea left nothing to chance in their efforts bid to stay ahead of Manchester United and end their rival's three-season stay at the summit. An 8-0 thrashing of Wigan at Stamford Bridge, which included a hat-trick from Didier Drogba, was Chelsea's biggest victory in their Premier League history and took the team past 100 goals for the season. United beat Stoke 4-0 but finished a point back in second.

2011-12

The most thrilling finish to a Premier League season saw Manhester City become English champions for the first time in 44 years. Stoppage-time goals by Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero were needed for a 3-2 victory over QPR, who started the game under the threat of relegation. United had completed their 1-0 win at Sunderland before Aguero scored to clinch the title on goal difference.

2013-14

Manchester City left it to the last day again for their second Premier League title, but this was less of a rollercoaster ride than two years earlier. A routine 2-0 win at home to West Ham was secured by goals from Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany, and it was enough to hold off Liverpool, who finished two points behind following a 2-1 home win over Newcastle.

2018-19

Manchester City started the final day a point ahead of Liverpool – like this season – but it looked like there could be a twist to the title race when Pep Guardiola's team fell behind to Brighton in the 27th minute, with Liverpool already leading against Wolves. However, Aguero equalised within a minute and City wound up 4-1 winners, making Liverpool's 2-0 victory at Anfield meaningless.

Updated: May 21, 2022, 2:59 PM