1988/89: The Anfield Season

The run to Anfield

Arsenal had led the Division One table for much of the 1988/89 season, only for a late wobble to hand the initiative back to Liverpool. It set up a final, decisive meeting between the top two at Anfield, with Arsenal needing to win by two clear goals. George Graham had assembled a young, hungry side, captained by Tony Adams and given drive by Michael Thomas. The wait between matches, caused by the calendar of the time, only heightened the tension as the country prepared for a title decider of rare significance.

Thomas, and history

Alan Smith put Arsenal ahead, but with the clock ticking the title still belonged to Liverpool on the night's count. Then, in stoppage time, Michael Thomas broke through to make it 0-2, and the championship swung to North London on goals scored. Ian Wright would arrive soon after to lead the line in the years that followed, but this title belonged to the side Graham had built, with Tony Adams its defensive heart. It was Arsenal's first league championship since 1971, and the most dramatic in the club's history.

Timeline

• 1988Arsenal lead Division One for much of the season
• 1989Alan Smith puts Arsenal ahead at Anfield
• 1989Michael Thomas scores in stoppage time for 0-2
• 1989Title taken on goals scored, first since 1971

Connected pages

• Anfield '89
• Tony Adams
• David Seaman