In the 22 seasons of Premier League history, 11 times the previous season second-place finisher has won the league. For those of you who are mathematically-challenged, that's 50% of the time. Unfortunately, this has happened the last two seasons, but never three seasons in a row. Also, Liverpool have finished 2nd twice before, in 2001-02 and 2008-09, but faultered to fifth and seventh in their respective following seasons.
In 1992-93, the inaugural Premiership season, Aston Villa finished second. Featuring Liverpool greats Ray Houghton and Steve Staunton, as well as a young Dwight Yorke, the Villans lead the table late into March before only managing 10 points in the final 8 matches. It was their best campaign in a dozen years and their best since. They would finish 10th the following year.
The worst finish for a previous season second place side was Newcastle in 1997-98. In fact, Newcastle had finished runner-up to Man United for two years in a row. Oddly enough, the Magpies were managed by Kenny Dalglish and featured John Barnes, Ian Rush, and Dalglish's son, Paul. John Barnes led them in league goals with 6, while Rush struggled for playing time against Alan Shearer. Dalglish would be sacked two matches into the 98-99 season.
In 2011-12, Chelsea fell victim to the 'Liverpool curse'. With Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles in their squad (as well as Daniel Sturridge, but he doesn't count), they went from 2nd to 6th, their worst finish under Abramovich and in ten seasons. It lead to Andres Villas-Boas being sacked in March 2012 and Robert Di Matteo being appointed caretaker manager. Though they did win the FA Cup, 2-1 over Liverpool might I add, and Champions League that year.
Not even the 2008-09 Chelsea side that went from runner-up to third escapes the 'jinx', though the link is minor. Former albeit brief LFC striker, Nicolas Anelka, lead the Blues in scoring, both in the league and in all competitions, but couldn't prevent their third place finish.
It's not all black cats and broken mirrors though, Liverpool have won the First Division five times (75-76, 78-79, 85-86, 87-88, & 89-90) after finishing runners-up the previous year. Though that only makes it 5 league titles after 13 second place finishes.
Showing posts with label Rush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rush. Show all posts
Thursday, August 14, 2014
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