Five of the Best Top of the Table Clashes

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal, May 1989

The most dramatic top of the table clash of all time, and one that is unlikely ever to be repeated. The top two sides fought it out at Anfield in the final game of the 1988-89 season. All Liverpool had to do was to avoid losing by two goals at Anfield against title rivals Arsenal. Despite Alan Smith giving the Gunners the lead, Liverpool's solid defence looked like holding out until Michael Thomas scored a second in the dying seconds to send the league title to Highbury.

Newcastle 0-1 Manchester United, March 1996

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan would have "loved it" if his side could beat Manchester United in their top of the table clash in March 1996. As it was, the Toon Army lost 1-0 at home to the eventual champions, with Eric Cantona's strike proving enough for the visitors. Alex Ferguson's men ended up turning around a 12 point deficit to steal the Premier League title from under the noses of the Toon. Newcastle got a bitter sweet revenge in the summer, when they signed Alan Shearer for a club record £15m - beating off competition from the Reds.

Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal, April 2009

Although Arsenal were never really in the Premier League title race, they had shown the form of champions during the second half of last season. They travelled to April in late April with the home side still well in the hunt for a first Premier League title. Fighting with arch-rivals Manchester United at the top, Liverpool needed a win to keep up the pressure. They fell behind to a first half goal from Andrei Arshavin, before Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun turned the game on its head. Arshavin added his second and third goals to panic the home crowd, before Torres tied the game up at 3-3. Benayoun thought he'd stole it at the death, only for Arshavin to score his fourth goal in a remarkable match and deny Liverpool two points that would prove crucial in the title race.

Celtic 3-2 Rangers, April 2008

As April neared its conclusion, it looked like Walter Smith's Rangers were to enjoy a successful season. A superb run in Europe saw them reach the UEFA Cup Final against Zenit St Petersburg. However, it hampered their domestic campaign, and a defeat at Celtic Park in late April ultimately proved the difference. Goals from Scott McDonald (2) and Barry Robson helped Celtic overturn a 2-1 deficit - after David Weir and Daniel Cousin had scored for Rangers - and helped them to a third successive league title.

Rangers 1-0 Celtic, May 2009

Rangers bounced back from their disappointment the previous season by picking up a vital win in the Old Firm derby to all-but secure the SPL title. Steven Davis' solitary first half goal was enough to lead Walter Smith's men to victory. Rangers finished four points clear of their rivals in the league table, and who would bet against a similar title decider at the end of this campaign?

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