Premier League winners list
The old first division rebranded in 1992, a move that led to the birth of the English Premier League as we know it. Since this happened, there has been plenty of drama, entertainment, happy moments for some teams and heart-wrenching grief for others. Incredibly, only 5 different teams have managed to win the league over the more than two decades it has been in existence.
Here is a look at how things have played out over the last 24 years, with details of teams that have taken home the trophy and the ways in which they did it.
Manchester United
13 Titles
Sir Alex Fergusson’s era started with little drama but ended with a record premier league title haul. By the time the best football manager of all time retired from the game, his team was the most celebrated not only in the league but also across Europe.
Mancherster United took home the title in the following years: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013. While United’s dominance was complete back in the day, there were still moments in which they left it late. In 2008-2009, the team was fighting on 7 fronts, and the pressure begun to take a toll on everyone earlier on in the season.
However, The Reds picked up pace midway through the season and won 18 of its last 21 games. The penultimate weekend saw United needing just a point against Arsenal, a feat achieved when the game ended scoreless.
The 2009-2010 season was a success too, with The Reds beating Chelsea in what the pundits dubbed a title-decider. Wayne Rooney’s penalty against Blackburn at the very end eventually delivered the trophy into the hands of the old Trafford faithful.
The 2011-2012 season saw United lose the league to rivals Manchester city. Aware of the need to inject energy into the team in 2012-2013, Ferguson signed Robin Van Persie from Arsenal and the Dutchman’s 30 league goals were key to a virtual stroll back into the books of history. Van Persie’s moments of genius in the April 22 2013 victory over Aston villa are said to have virtually handed United the trophy. In that match, he bagged a hat trick. This was United’s 13th and most recent premier league trophy.
Chelsea
4 Titles
For a long time, Chelsea were the whipping boys of the English premier league. However, the arrival of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich put a positive spin to the scheme of things. Abramovich rang the changes, bringing in Jose Mourinho who made an instant impression, winning back to back titles for the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons. The Londoners had to wait for a few years however, for another piece of silverware, which finally came in the 2009-2010 season. This time, it was Chelsea legend Didier Drogba who carried the day for the men in blue.
The return of Jose Mourinho to the bridge in the summer of 2013 rekindled fond memories and it took only season for the Portuguese to bring back the trophy to west London. Chelsea were clinical all through 2014-2015, setting a record by staying at the peak of the table for the longest time within the season.
Arsenal
3 Titles
Arsene Wenger joined the London club as a young coach with big dreams. He signed a slew of youngsters and went on to earn a reputation as one of the most successful star-makers in the league. The penultimate game of the 2000-2001 season saw Arsenal beat Manchester United on 8 May 2002 to take home the league trophy, a win which sent London into a frenzy of celebrations. Arsenal’s trump in the 2003-2004 premier league season was a thing of beauty. The team, dubbed 'The Invincibles', went a full season without losing a single game. Arsenal were crowned champions with a 90 points haul while Chelsea came second at 79 points.
Manchester City
2 Titles
The blue half of Manchester’s long wait for the premiership came a little later than they expected. The last game of the 2011-2012 premier league season was an ill-tempered affair against relegation candidates Queens Park Rangers. At injury time, Sergio Aguero turned home a Mario Balotelli flick to condemn Manchester United to second place. City’s 2013-2014 triumph can only be attributed to a dip in the form of title favourites Liverpool rather than the Sky Blues’ own prowess.
Blackburn Rovers
1 Title
When Jack Walker bought Blackburn, he injected plenty of capital into the club’s development. Under Kenny Dalglish, the team transformed from a league 1 outfit to a premier league winner.
On the final day of the season, Blackburn ROvers lost its game to Liverpool but still went on to win the trophy, courtesy of Manchester United’s (solitary goal ) draw at West Ham United.
Year by year list
1993 Manchester United
1994 Manchester United
1995 Blackburn Rovers
1996 Manchester United
1997 Manchester United
1998 Arsenal
1999 Manchester United
2000 Manchester United
2001 Manchester United
2002 Arsenal
2003 Manchester United
2004 Arsenal
2005 Chelsea
2006 Chelsea
2007 Manchester United
2008 Manchester United
2009 Manchester United
2010 Chelsea
2011 Manchester United
2012 Manchester City
2013 Manchester United
2014 Manchester City
2015 Chelsea