York City won the National League and secured promotion to the EFL thanks to a goal from Josh Stones in the 103rd minute of their final game against Rochdale. This remarkable strike has sparked interest in the latest title-winning goals in football history.
Latest Title-Winning Goals
There are numerous title races decided in the final minutes of the last game. Two iconic examples are Michael Thomas for Arsenal in 1988-89 (92nd minute) and Sergio Agüero for Manchester City in 2011-12 (94th minute). A decade after Agüero's goal, City again clinched the title with a late comeback against Aston Villa, with Ilkay Gündogan scoring the winner in the 81st minute.
Ray Kennedy's 87th-minute goal for Arsenal in 1971 at White Hart Lane is legendary. In 1981, Jesús María Zamora's equalizer with 10 seconds of normal time left gave Real Sociedad their first league title. Defender Guido Buchwald won the 1991-92 Bundesliga for Stuttgart with an 86th-minute goal. Patrik Andersson's 94th-minute equalizer for Bayern Munich in 2001 denied Schalke their first Bundesliga title.
Oldham's Neil Redfearn scored an injury-time penalty in 1991 to win the Division Two title. Scott McDonald's two late goals for Motherwell in 2005 gave Rangers the title. Jack Grealish's 89th-minute goal for Aston Villa in 2017 made Newcastle champions. Albert Kidd's two late goals for St Mirren in 1986 denied Hearts the title.
The list of late title-deciding goals includes: Ilkay Gündogan (81st min), Albert Kidd (83rd), Guido Buchwald (86th), Ray Kennedy (87th), Scott McDonald (88th), Jack Grealish (89th), Jesús María Zamora (90th), Michael Thomas and Neil Redfearn (92nd), Patrik Andersson and Sergio Agüero (94th), and Josh Stones (103rd).
Falling from a Great Height
Dom Miller asked about the highest position a team has been in the table going into the final day only to be relegated. Huddersfield Town were 20th in the second tier in 2000-01, two points clear, but lost and dropped to 22nd. Sheffield United were 18th in the 1993-94 Premier League but lost to Chelsea, dropping to 20th. In 1927-28, Tottenham were 18th but fell to 20th after other results. Blackpool in 1978 were 14th but ended up relegated after other teams played their remaining games.
Greats Who Never Played in England (II)
Roger Milla did play in England, featuring in Peter Shilton's testimonial in 1990. Other greats like Fritz Walter never played in England.
Knowledge Archive
Jez Orbell noted that Southampton played four major cup finals without wearing their first-choice colours. Manchester City wore a change strip in six of their 12 major cup finals in the 20th century. Milan played six of their last seven European Cup finals in a white kit.
Readers are invited to send in questions and answers for future Knowledge columns.
