Storyline: One of the world’s most competitive and exciting soccer leagues–the English Premier League–celebrates its 23rd anniversary. Here are highlights associated with nearly a quarter-century of action. Written by Steve Mitchell (For the best information from professionals Steve recommends Bet Advisor.com.)
Courtesy: indianexpress.com
When the Football League announced in late 1991 that the country’s top-flight division would break away to be re-branded and re-packaged as the Premier League, many skeptics thought that the fanciful new idea wouldn’t be popular. 23 years later the English Premier League has become the most profitable in the world. Countries line-up to buy the television rights to broadcast what is arguably the most exciting football league on the planet. It’s a far cry from those heady days in the early 90s when England was gripped by what was described as “A Whole New Ball Game.”
THE RED DEVILS END THEIR 26-YEAR WAIT
It was fitting that the first Premier League title in 1993 should go to one of the world’s most famous clubs, Manchester United. The team ended its 26-year wait to lift English football’s biggest prize. It was also lucky for the newly formed league, and its many new investors, that the club with the biggest fan base took the inaugural championship. It meant more subscriptions for Sky Sports, the broadcaster that had gambled heavily on the success of the new league. United would go on to retain the crown the following season. Historically, ManU has been on the outstanding side of the Premier League many times, winning titles a total of 13 times.
ARSENAL BECOME THE INVINCIBLES
Manchester United is the most successful club during the Premier League years. But Arsenal, which won the championship in the 2003-04 season, will certainly go down as the greatest team to have won the trophy. Coached by Frenchman, Arsène Wenger, his Gunners side remained unbeaten from May 2003 to October 2004, a run that incorporated the entire 03-04 campaign. Naturally, Wenger ended up with the Manager of the Season award; and his talismanic French striker, Thierry Henry, took the Player of the Season gong.
MANCHESTER CITY TAKE THE TITLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FINAL DAY DRAMA
The most astonishing end to a Premier League season came in 2012 with both Manchester clubs, City and United, going into the final day of fixtures. The team from the blue half of the city had the easier task, needing a win against lowly Queens Park Rangers at home, whilst their neighbours had to go to Sunderland knowing they had to win…and then hope the London club could do them a favour. With time running out in both games, United was coasting to victory in the North-East. City, astonishingly, was 3-1 down. As the game ticked into injury time at Etihad Stadium, Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko pulled a goal back for the home side before Argentine Sergio Agüero netted a dramatic winner–with the last kick of the season.
SOME PREMIER LEAGUE FACTS AND FIGURES
Most Title Wins – 13, Manchester United
Most Appearances – 632, Ryan Giggs, Manchester United
Top Goalscorer – 260, Alan Shearer, Blackburn Rovers & Newcastle United, 1992/93 & 2005/06
Most Wins in a Season – 29, Chelsea 2004/05 & 2005/06
Biggest Title Winning Margin – 18 points, Manchester United, 1999/2000)
