In the high-stakes world of the Premier League, leading the pack is no guarantee of glory. Over the years, we have seen massive leads evaporate and “sure things” crumble under the pressure of the final run-in.
From dramatic tactical collapses to being hunted down by relentless rivals, here are 10 times the Premier League title slipped away.
10. Tottenham Hotspur (2015–16)
Days at the Top: 0 (but spent months in 2nd) Spurs were the only team that looked capable of stopping the Leicester City fairytale. Under Mauricio Pochettino, they played the most attractive football in the league but couldn’t close the gap. Their spirit finally broke during the infamous “Battle of Stamford Bridge,” where a 2-2 draw handed the title to Leicester. They eventually finished 3rd after a final-day meltdown against Newcastle.
9. Norwich City (1992–93)
Days at the Top: 129 In the very first Premier League season, the Canaries were the surprise package, leading the table for the vast majority of the campaign. However, they lacked the depth to sustain the charge. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United found a second gear in the spring, surging past them to claim the inaugural crown.
8. Liverpool (2018–19)
Days at the Top: 141 This was arguably the highest-quality title race in history. Liverpool finished with a staggering 97 points—a total that would have won the league in almost any other year. They lost only one game all season, but it was to their rivals, Manchester City. That 2-1 defeat at the Etihad, featuring a goal-line clearance that missed by just 11mm, decided the title by a single point.
7. Arsenal (2002–03)
Days at the Top: 189 Arsenal looked set to defend their double from the previous year, holding an eight-point lead in March. However, a late-season stumble—including a costly draw at Bolton and a loss to Leeds—allowed Manchester United to go on a 15-game unbeaten run and snatch the trophy back.
6. Arsenal (2007–08)
Days at the Top: 156 The Gunners were the pace-setters for most of the season, losing just once by early March. The turning point was a horrific injury to striker Eduardo against Birmingham City. A string of four consecutive draws followed, and Arsène Wenger’s young squad eventually finished 3rd, four points behind champions Manchester United.
5. Arsenal (2022–23)
Days at the Top: 248 This remains the record for the most days spent at the top of the table without actually winning the league. Mikel Arteta’s side was dominant for 90% of the season, but the pressure of a chasing Manchester City proved too much. Three consecutive draws in April against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton saw their lead vanish.
4. Manchester United (1997–98)
Days at the Top: 175 At one point, United were 11 points clear (though Arsenal had games in hand). The lead was so commanding that some bookmakers actually paid out on United winning the title in March. They were wrong. Marc Overmars scored a legendary winner at Old Trafford to spark a 10-game winning streak for the Gunners, securing Arsène Wenger’s first title.
3. Liverpool (2013–14)
Days at the Top: 59 Driven by Luis Suárez’s 31 goals, Liverpool were on the brink of ending their title drought. They arrived at late April on an 11-game winning streak. Then came the “Slip.” Steven Gerrard’s stumble against Chelsea allowed Demba Ba to score, and a subsequent 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace (dubbed “Crystanbul”) saw Manchester City swoop in to take the title.
2. Manchester United (2011–12)
Days at the Top: 95 With only six games left, United held an eight-point lead over Manchester City. A shock loss to Wigan and a chaotic 4-4 draw with Everton let City back in. It all came down to the final seconds of the season, where Sergio Agüero’s 94th-minute goal against QPR won City the title on goal difference—the closest finish in history.
1. Newcastle United (1995–96)
Days at the Top: 212 The gold standard for title collapses. In January, Kevin Keegan’s “Entertainers” were 12 points clear and playing some of the best football England had ever seen. But the pressure of Sir Alex Ferguson’s “Class of ’92” was relentless. Newcastle crumbled, Keegan famously lost his cool on live TV (“I will love it if we beat them!”), and Manchester United marched on to the title.
