programmechap
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Ive never seen much written about this, but on the last day if the 02-03 season , both Sheffield clubs were in with a chance of the league title.
The top of the table prior to the last full day of fixtures was thus (34 games that season)
1. Wednesday P33 pts 40
2. Sunderland P32 Pts 39
3. United P33 pts 39
4. Villa P31 pts 35.
In a 2 points for a win situation all 4 could win the league. United played at Villa, if they beat them, they knocked Villa out of the picture. We then , of course had to rely on Wednesday (home to WBA) and Sunderland (H to Middlesbrough and then away to Newcastle the following week) games. If we beat Villa by 2 and Wednesday drew, we would overhaul them on goal average and, assuming Sunderland beat Middlesbrough, be biting our nails for a week..
As it happened the results were:
Villa 4 United 2
Wednesday 3 West Brom 1
Sunderland 2 Middlesbrough 1
Which left the table
Wednesday p34 points 42
Sunderland P33 points 41
United P34 points 39
Villa p32 points 37
United and Villa were now out of it and it all came down to Newcastle v Sunderland.
The bizzare vagaries of goal average meant that a win or a 1-1 or 0-0 draw would see Sunderland take the title. A 2-2 draw would see Wednesday and Sunderland finish with exactly the same points and GA (and thus result in a play off) whilst a Sunderland defeat or a 3-3 or higher draw would see Wednesday champions. .
As it happens Newcastle (in what must have been a great day for their fans) won 1-0 and Wednesday were champions..
I believe that is the last occasion where United could have become league champions going into their last game...
The top of the table prior to the last full day of fixtures was thus (34 games that season)
1. Wednesday P33 pts 40
2. Sunderland P32 Pts 39
3. United P33 pts 39
4. Villa P31 pts 35.
In a 2 points for a win situation all 4 could win the league. United played at Villa, if they beat them, they knocked Villa out of the picture. We then , of course had to rely on Wednesday (home to WBA) and Sunderland (H to Middlesbrough and then away to Newcastle the following week) games. If we beat Villa by 2 and Wednesday drew, we would overhaul them on goal average and, assuming Sunderland beat Middlesbrough, be biting our nails for a week..
As it happened the results were:
Villa 4 United 2
Wednesday 3 West Brom 1
Sunderland 2 Middlesbrough 1
Which left the table
Wednesday p34 points 42
Sunderland P33 points 41
United P34 points 39
Villa p32 points 37
United and Villa were now out of it and it all came down to Newcastle v Sunderland.
The bizzare vagaries of goal average meant that a win or a 1-1 or 0-0 draw would see Sunderland take the title. A 2-2 draw would see Wednesday and Sunderland finish with exactly the same points and GA (and thus result in a play off) whilst a Sunderland defeat or a 3-3 or higher draw would see Wednesday champions. .
As it happens Newcastle (in what must have been a great day for their fans) won 1-0 and Wednesday were champions..
I believe that is the last occasion where United could have become league champions going into their last game...
