Title decider 1988–89 Arsenal F.C. season

anfield (pictured in 2009) setting final league game of season, between arsenal , liverpool.

arsenal s final match of league season – against liverpool, scheduled month earlier, events @ hillsborough, saw 96 of liverpool s supporters crushed death in stadium disaster, meant game postponed , rearranged. time fixture drew ever closer, both clubs close enough on points act title decider; odds against arsenal had not won @ anfield in 15 years. liverpool had not lost 2 goals – margin arsenal required win championship – in 3 years.

the game took place on friday evening , televised national audience of on 12 million. graham made slight adjustment team s formation, bringing david o leary in play sweeper in five. thinking nullify liverpool s attacking threat , of first half, arsenal stemmed opponents usual passing game. in second half, smith scored, looked increasingly title remain @ anfield arsenal struggled increase lead. however, deep stoppage time, thomas evaded challenge steve nicol , raced penalty area, before slipping ball past advancing bruce grobbelaar make score 2–0. final whistle blown seconds later, ending arsenal s 18-year wait crowned league champions. described dramatic finish in 120-year history of english top flight bbc sport in 2008, title decider @ anfield generated interest in sport , events depicted in nick hornby s best-selling book fever pitch.