The Premier League title race between Arsenal and Manchester City is still on the line as it will be decided on the final day of the season. The final days of a season are always full of drama as league positions are secured. The most memorable final days in football history are discussed by writers from the Mirror Football team. From Everton’s last-day reprieve in 1994 to Arsenal’s despair when Manchester City claimed the title in 2012, each final day has its unique story filled with twists and turns.
One of the most dramatic final days was when Manchester United were moments away from winning the league only for Manchester City to stage a late comeback with Sergio Aguero scoring the title-winning goal. The raw emotions of joy and disappointment were visible on the faces of players and managers, making it a memorable moment in football history. Final days leave a lasting impression on both fans and players as fortunes change within minutes.
Another memorable final day was Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game in charge of Manchester United in 2013. The game against West Bromwich Albion started as a celebratory affair but turned into chaos as Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick to snatch victory from United. The unpredictability of final days adds to the excitement of the Premier League, making it a funny old game.
Final day drama is not limited to title contenders but also extends to teams lower down the table. In 2013, Kevin Nolan scored a hat-trick for West Ham against Reading, overshadowing Romelu Lukaku’s hat-trick for Chelsea. The intensity of final day games often results in record-breaking moments like perfect hat-tricks that are etched in football history.
The drama of final days is not only restricted to domestic leagues as witnessed in the final day of the 2021/22 Premier League season when Manchester City staged a remarkable comeback against Aston Villa to secure the title. The unpredictability of football is on display on final days, proving that anything can happen even in the last moments of a season.
Final days have the power to define careers and shape legacies as seen in various examples of clubs’ remarkable escapes from relegation or promotion in the past. From iconic matches like Manchester United vs Manchester City or Everton vs Wimbledon to lesser-known fixtures like Sheffield Wednesday’s promotion against Wycombe Wanderers, each game on the final day of the season holds lasting memories for fans and players alike.
