The 2011-12 Premier League Title Race

It has been the best Premier League title race we've seen in a while, full of twists and turns.

Manchester City started off the season in flying form and were top from the first few games until after Christmas, when 3 things happened:

1. Paul Scholes came out of retirement to rejoin Manchester United.
2. Antonio Valencia returned from injury for United.
3. City's form dropped.

The two players returning to their rivals happened at just the wrong time for City, as they hit a bump in form while United, helped by Scholes' passing and Valencia's supply of crosses, went on a 12 game wining streak, 11 wins with the only draw being against Chelsea.

So from being 5 points clear in January, City found themselves in March 5 points behind in an amazing turnaround. And it wasn't just United, City also had Tottenham, who were on an incredible run of form, to worry about as well.

The month from 8th March to 8th April was a crucial time in the race. City lost to Swansea and scraped a win against Chelsea before drawing with Stoke and Sunderland and losing to Arsenal.

During this time United won all 5 of their games, widening the gap to 8 points. With just 6 games remaining, everyone thought it was wrapped up for Ferguson's team, but there was another twist to come.

City stormed to 3 wins from their next 3, scoring 12, while United stuttered and lost 1-0 to Wigan before twice throwing away a 2 goal lead in the process of drawing 4-4 to Everton.

The gap was now just 3 points with 3 games remaining, and suddenly the Manchester derby on 30th April had gone from a potential chance for United to claim the title on enemy soil to a final chance for City to climb to the top again.

That game has become, as Ferguson said, "the biggest Manchester derby in a long time". United win and the title is all but theirs barring an almost unthinkable collapse in the last 2 games. City win and they leap to the top on goal difference, making the last 2 games essentially a race to win buy the most goals.

Whatever happens it will be a thrilling, exciting end to the season.