The Three Sisters Episode 50 Part 3

Eight points from safety on Christmas Day, it seemed West Bromwich Albion were bound for the Championship.

They were still bottom going into the final day, needing to win at home against Portsmouth in order to stay up. For the first time in Premier League history, no team had been relegated going into the final 90 minutes of the season.

Geoff Horsfield and Kieran Richardson scored in the second half as Bryan Robson’s side won 2-0.

West Brom survived at the expense of Norwich and Southampton, who lost, and Crystal Palace, who drew. There was a full-time pitch invasion at The Hawthorns.For the first time in history, a team who were bottom of the table on Christmas Day remained in the Premier League.

West Bromwich Albion fans invade the pitch after securing their Premier League status on the final day of the 2004/05 season
West Bromwich Albion survived on the final day of the 2004-05 season in the first ‘Great Escape’

1994-95: Blackburn lose to Liverpool but still win the league
Title-chasing Blackburn headed to Anfield on the final day of the 1994-95 season with a two-point lead over second-placed Manchester United.The Red Devils had a superior goal difference and knew a win against West Ham would give them the title if Rovers slipped up.

Blackburn went ahead against Liverpool but lost 2-1 thanks to a Jamie Redknapp free-kick in the 90th minute.But United could only draw 1-1 at Upton Park and Blackburn were champions for the first time in 81 years.

Blackburn Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish (centre) posing with the Premier League trophy
Blackburn Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish (centre) led his side to their first title since 1914
2011-12: Agueroooooooooo
Another season where the league was up for grabs on the final day. Manchester City hosted QPR, while rivals Manchester United went to Sunderland.

City knew they had to match United’s result to win the league. QPR, though, did not read the script and were 2-1 up with 66 minutes played at Etihad Stadium.United won 1-0 against Sunderland to pile the pressure on their rivals. But Edin Dzeko equalised for City in added time and more drama followed when Sergio Aguero sealed his place in Premier League folklore by scoring the winner with 93 minutes and 20 seconds on the clock.

As well as being in one of the most iconic moments in top flight history, Aguero’s winner set City on the path to sustained top-flight success. Ending a 44-year wait to be champions, City’s title was to be the first of seven in 12 seasons.

Oldham beat Southampton to stay upPromoted in 1991, Oldham were founder members of the Premier League. But with a week of the season to play, they were six points from safety. They had three matches in seven days to try to save themselves.First, they went to title contenders Aston Villa and won. Three days later, they defeated Liverpool.And so, by the final Saturday, Oldham had cut the gap to three points.

Joe Royle’s side beat Southampton 4-3 despite the best efforts of Matt Le Tissier, who scored a hat-trick, and rivals Crystal Palace lost 3-0 at Arsenal to slip out of the top flight, despite finishing on 49 points.In a thrilling conclusion to the season, Oldham survived on goal difference, finishing two goals better off than Palace.

2021-22: Liverpool push Man City all the way
Having won both domestic trophies and with a Champions League final against Real Madrid on the horizon, Liverpool were eyeing an unprecedented quadruple.

Manchester City knew a victory would secure them the title instead but were 2-0 down against Aston Villa heading into the final 15 minutes.However, three goals in five minutes saw City win 3-2 and, despite the Reds beating Wolves 3-1, they secured a fourth title in five years under Pep Guardiola.