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The inaugural Premier League was a classic as, yes, Aston Villa, Norwich City and Manchester United all battled it out for most of the season to be crowned champions.

In fact, despite the Canaries' 5-1 hammering at Tottenham Hotspur on April 9, just two points still separated the top three - albeit with Norwich (65 points) having played two more games than leaders Villa (67 points) and second-placed United (66 points) - heading into what turned out to be a pivotal Saturday in the title race.

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While Ron Atkinson's Villa side surprisingly were being held to a goalless draw at home by struggling Coventry City, United memorably came from behind to beat high-flying Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Old Trafford thanks to two late, late Steve Bruce headers.

Latest point in the season just two or less points separated the top three: April 9, 1993

Newcastle's collapse hands United the title in 1995-96

Everyone remembers the 1995-96 Premier League as being a two-horse title race that was turned decisively when Manchester United won 1-0 at leaders Newcastle United in early March.

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However, despite that demoralising loss at St James' Park, Kevin Keegan's side still controlled their own destiny with games in hand on the Red Devils and Liverpool, the sometimes forgotten team in this particular three-way title fight.

And after Ferguson's men were held to a 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers a fortnight later on the same day Liverpool beat Chelsea, just two points separated first-placed United and the third-in-the-table Reds.

Some may recall Arsenal's 2001-02 title win as being a canter for Arsene Wenger's men, who would eventually go on to win the Premier League by seven points from Liverpool - but that was not the case with the Reds and Manchester United pushing the Gunners all the way.

In actual fact, the three heavyweights were separated by only two points following Arsenal's 2-0 home win over Ipswich Town on April 21, setting things up for a nerve-jangling finale to the season.

The north London side did, crucially, have a game in hand on second-placed Liverpool and United, in third, which saw them beat West Ham United 2-0 at Highbury three days later to open up a four-point advantage over Gerard Houllier's team.

When Liverpool's long unbeaten league run then came to an end at Arsenal's fierce rivals Tottenham the following Saturday, followed by the Gunners' 2-0 victory at Bolton Wanders two days later, that season's three-horse race for the title was over.

And Wenger's second Premier League was soon confirmed with victory at Old Trafford at the start of May.

Latest point in the season just two or less points separated the top three: April 23, 2002

City, Liverpool & Chelsea fight it out almost to the final day a decade ago

The 2013-14 Premier League title race was an absolute classic as Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea battled it out at the top until virtually the final day of the season, with each side enjoying different periods as league leaders.

City held their nerve, seeing off West Ham 2-0 at the Etihad to win the title by two points, with Chelsea finishing four points off top spot in what is the longest-lasting three-horse title race in Premier League history.

Latest point in the season just two or less points separated the top three: May 6, 2014


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