Welcome to Football Playback, your ultimate destination for reliving the greatest moments in football history. Today, we’re focusing on one of the most thrilling and unforgettable seasons in Premier League history—the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table.
This season was packed with intense drama, a title race that went down to the final seconds, and some of the most iconic moments ever seen in English football. Whether you're a fan looking to reminisce or you're experiencing the excitement for the first time, check out our 2011-2012 Premier League page to watch all the matches that defined this extraordinary season. Let’s dive into the key stories, matches, and players that made the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table so iconic.
Take a look at the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table below to see how this unforgettable season unfolded.
2011 to 2012 Premier League Table: Manchester City’s Historic Title Win
The 2011 to 2012 Premier League table will forever be remembered for Manchester City’s dramatic and historic title win—their first in 44 years. Under the management of Roberto Mancini, City went head-to-head with Manchester United in a title race that would become one of the most thrilling in football history.
Manchester City finished the season with 89 points, the same as their local rivals Manchester United, but City’s superior goal difference (+64 to United’s +56) secured them the title. What made this triumph even more dramatic was the way it was won—on the very last day of the season, with virtually the last kick of the game.
On May 13, 2012, City played Queens Park Rangers (QPR) at the Etihad Stadium, knowing that a win would secure the title. However, QPR, fighting to avoid relegation, put up a brave fight, and with 90 minutes on the clock, City were trailing 2-1. As news spread that Manchester United had beaten Sunderland 1-0, it looked like the title was slipping away from City’s grasp. But in stoppage time, Edin Džeko scored to level the game at 2-2, and then, in the 94th minute, Sergio Agüero delivered the most iconic moment in Premier League history.
Agüero’s goal made it 3-2 to City, winning the match and sealing the title in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. His late goal sent the Etihad Stadium into ecstasy and created one of the most unforgettable moments in English football. The phrase “Agüerooooo!” screamed by commentator Martin Tyler became an iconic call that still resonates with football fans worldwide.
Beyond that unforgettable moment, City’s season was filled with standout performances from the likes of Yaya Touré, David Silva, and captain Vincent Kompany. Touré’s driving runs from midfield, Silva’s creativity, and Kompany’s leadership at the back were pivotal in City’s title charge. Agüero, in his debut season in English football, finished as the club’s top scorer with 23 league goals, while Joe Hart’s consistency in goal kept City’s defense among the best in the league.
2011 to 2012 Premier League Table: Manchester United’s Near Miss
While Manchester City celebrated their title win, Manchester United finished second in the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table—missing out on the title by the narrowest of margins. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side matched City’s 89 points but lost the title on goal difference, marking the first time in Premier League history that the title was decided this way.
United’s season was filled with its own memorable moments, but they will always look back on a few key moments where the title slipped away. Perhaps the most significant of these came in the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium in April 2012, where a goal from City captain Vincent Kompany secured a 1-0 victory for the blue half of Manchester. That result put City in control of the title race and ultimately proved to be the difference.
Wayne Rooney was United’s standout player, finishing the season with 27 league goals. His ability to lead the attack and score crucial goals kept United in the title race until the very end. Alongside him, players like Nani, Antonio Valencia, and Danny Welbeck contributed to United’s attack, while veterans like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs continued to provide leadership and experience.
United’s defence, usually one of their strongest assets, was more vulnerable than in previous seasons. Injuries to key defenders like Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand disrupted the backline, and United’s inability to hold on to leads in crucial games, including a 4-4 draw with Everton in April, ultimately cost them the title.
Despite the heartbreak of missing out on the title, United’s performances in the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table showed their resilience and quality, and their narrow miss only fueled their determination to bounce back in the following season.
2011 to 2012 Premier League Table: Arsenal and Tottenham’s Top Four Battle
The 2011 to 2012 Premier League table also saw an intense battle for the remaining Champions League places, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur fighting it out for a place in the top four. Both clubs played attractive, attacking football throughout the season, and the race for third and fourth place went down to the final day of the campaign.
Arsenal, managed by Arsène Wenger, finished third with 70 points, securing automatic qualification for the Champions League. Despite a slow start to the season, Arsenal’s form improved dramatically in the second half of the campaign, thanks in large part to the incredible performances of Robin van Persie. The Dutch striker had a sensational season, scoring 30 league goals and winning the Premier League Golden Boot. Van Persie’s goals and leadership were crucial in guiding Arsenal to third place, and his ability to deliver in big games made him one of the standout players of the season.
One of the key moments of Arsenal’s campaign came in February 2012, when they came from 2-0 down to beat local rivals Tottenham 5-2 at the Emirates Stadium. That victory not only gave Arsenal the bragging rights in North London but also marked the turning point in their season, as they overtook Spurs in the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table.
Tottenham, managed by Harry Redknapp, finished fourth with 69 points, securing a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds. Spurs played some of the most exciting football in the league, with Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić, and Rafael van der Vaart providing creativity and flair in midfield, while Emmanuel Adebayor led the line with 17 league goals.
Despite their strong performances, Tottenham’s form dipped toward the end of the season, allowing Arsenal to overtake them. However, Spurs still managed to finish in the top four, ensuring their place among Europe’s elite for the following campaign.
2011 to 2012 Premier League Table: Newcastle’s Surprise Surge
One of the most surprising stories of the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table was Newcastle United’s unexpected rise to fifth place, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification. Under the management of Alan Pardew, Newcastle played with determination and skill, finishing with 65 points and securing a place in the UEFA Europa League.
Newcastle’s success was built on the goals of their dynamic strike duo, Demba Ba and Papiss Cissé. Ba, who joined the club at the start of the season, scored 16 league goals before the arrival of Cissé in January 2012. Cissé had an instant impact, scoring 13 goals in just 14 appearances, including some stunning strikes, most notably his incredible long-range volley against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
In midfield, Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa provided creativity and flair, while captain Fabricio Coloccini marshaled the defense with authority. Newcastle’s ability to win key matches against their top-four rivals, including a 3-0 victory over Manchester United in January 2012, was instrumental in their rise up the table.
Although they missed out on a Champions League spot, Newcastle’s performances in the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table were a testament to the team’s quality and Pardew’s management, as they exceeded all expectations and returned to European competition for the first time in several years.
2011 to 2012 Premier League Table: The Relegation Battle
At the other end of the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table, the relegation battle was fiercely contested, with several clubs fighting for survival until the final day of the season. In the end, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, and Wolverhampton Wanderers were the three clubs that were relegated to the Championship.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, managed by Mick McCarthy for most of the season and later by Terry Connor, finished bottom of the table with just 25 points. Wolves struggled throughout the campaign, winning only five matches and conceding 82 goals—the most in the league. Despite the efforts of players like Steven Fletcher, who scored 12 league goals, Wolves were unable to escape the drop.
Blackburn Rovers, managed by Steve Kean, also endured a difficult season, finishing 19th with 31 points. Blackburn’s season was marked by protests from the fans against the club’s owners, and despite the goals of Junior Hoilett and Yakubu, the team’s poor defensive record saw them relegated.
Bolton Wanderers, under the management of Owen Coyle, finished 18th with 36 points, narrowly missing out on survival. Bolton’s relegation was confirmed on the final day of the season, following a 2-2 draw with Stoke City. Despite the efforts of Kevin Davies and Mark Davies, Bolton were unable to secure the points needed to stay in the Premier League.
The relegation battle in the 2011 to 2012 Premier League table was a reminder of the high stakes involved in top-flight football, as clubs fought for survival amid financial pressures and the ever-growing competitiveness of the league.
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