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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Tottenham Hotspur and their supporters were in the unenviable position of knowing victory over Manchester City would almost certainly hand arch-rivals Arsenal a first Premier League title in 20 years.
It prompted fans to call on their side to lose, despite needing to win to keep alive their own hopes of qualifying for the Uefa Champions League.
They promptly lost 2-0, a result that ensured the destiny of the Premier League title was out of Arsenal’s hands as the race headed for the final day.
But what about other examples of a conflict of emotions, with one team needing a favour or suffering a loss they could live with?
Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers, 1995

ON THIS DAY in 1995, Blackburn pipped Man Utd to the Premier League title on a dramatic final day. pic.twitter.com/357S0ETOMP
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 14, 2013

With 90 minutes left in the third Premier League campaign, United needed a favour from their bitter enemies.
Victory at Anfield would see Blackburn become champions for the first time since before World War I broke out.
When Rovers took the lead through Alan Shearer, the home fans made their feelings clear as they celebrated.
Liverpool equalised and then won it in stoppage time. But United could only draw 1-1 at West Ham, leading to bedlam all around the ground.
PSG v Bordeaux, 1999

There was a time, before the Qataris arrived, when Paris Saint-Germain were also-rans in France and their biggest rivals, Marseille, were among the top dogs.
For context, as the millennium approached, PSG had just two league titles in their trophy cabinet while Marseille had eight.
On the final day of the campaign 1998-99 campaign, leaders Bordeaux visited PSG, who knew winning would aid Marseille, a point off the top.
And twice PSG came from behind to equalise, but eventually Bordeaux clinched the title with the final kick of the season with a controversial 3-2 victory.
It was probably a defeat PSG did not mind going through.
Lazio v Inter Milan, 2002

Inter had the chance win a first league title since 1989 when they travelled to Lazio on the final day of the campaign, but Juventus and reigning champions Roma were hoping they would slip up.
The most disliked team in Italy are Juventus, with every other club counting them as one of their arch-rivals, while the only team Lazio hate more are city rivals Roma. But now Juve and Roma needed Lazio to help them.
At the end of the first half, everything was going according to script: Inter were 2-1 ahead and champions as it stood.
But a sensational second-half collapse produced a 4-2 win for Lazio, one of whose two biggest foes stood to benefit. Their sole consolation was that it was Juve, not Roma.
Liverpool v Chelsea, 2010

A game where Steven Gerrard produced an almighty error as the Reds lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea. No, not that one.
Liverpool fans’ biggest hope was to help stop United becoming the first team in English top-flight history to win four league titles in a row. Chelsea were a point clear with two matches remaining, the first a trip to Anfield.
Gerrard underhit a pass back to goalkeeper Pepe Reina that Didier Drogba took full advantage of, Frank Lampard added a second goal and Chelsea stayed on course to deny United a record triumph.
Everton v Manchester City, 2014

Four years later, it’s the more familiar “Gerrard slip” during a pivotal, late-season 2-0 loss to at home to Chelsea.
However, the following week, Manuel Pellegrini’s side travelled to Everton, where they had won only twice in the Premier League era.
But could Everton really help city rivals Liverpool win a first league title in 24 years?
Well, it looked that way when Ross Barkley opened the scoring for the hosts with a stunning strike. City hit back and before the hour mark were 3-1 ahead and eventually won 3-2.
Manchester United v Manchester City, 2019

What an unpleasant position for the Red Devils to be in.
They had to watch their two biggest rivals, City and Liverpool, battle it out for the title in a season in which their joint points totals almost reached 200.
But United fans could take one consolation from losing 2-0 to City. The victors went on to outstrip the Merseysiders, arguably the greater of two evils for the red half of Manchester.


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English Premier League

Spurs supporters hoping to lose to Man City to deny Arsenal? Fans of Liverpool, Man United, others have had that quandary

Tottenham were in the delicate position of knowing victory over Manchester City could help hand Arsenal the title. Photo: AFP

Paris Saint-Germain were not about to hand arch-rivals Marseille the title in 1999. Photo: AFP

Inter Milan pair Christian Vieri and Ronaldo cannot believe they failed to clinch Serie A glory. Photo: Reuters

Chelsea celebrate after an important victory away to Liverpool in the hunt for the title. Photo: AFP

Everton’s clash with Manchester City had Liverpool following from afar. Photo: EPA

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola saw his team win a vital three points at Old Trafford in 2019. Photo: Reuters

Old Trafford leak: Man United keep letting in goals as stadium fails to keep out downpour during defeat to Arsenal

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag watches on in the heavy rain as his team lose 1-0 at home to Arsenal. Photo: AFP

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An artist’s impression of the new Sports Park Sai Sha. Photo: Handout

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Jorn Andersen will take Hong Kong to Liechtenstein for a friendly game in October. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong will be accelerating preparations for EAFF Championship qualifiers in October’s friendlies. Photo: AP

Sport

Football

Tottenham beating Pep Guardiola’s side would have done their North London rivals a huge favour in title race
Knowing your team could wreck your sworn enemies’ prospects, or needing them to come to your rescue, is a common conflict for football fans


Spurs winning against Pep Guardiola’s side would have done their North London rivals a huge favour in the title race, but football is littered with such conflicts.


Italian Serie A

French Ligue 1

Spurs supporters hoping to lose to Man City to deny Arsenal? Fans of Liverpool, Man United, others have had that quandary

Tottenham beating Pep Guardiola’s side would have done their North London rivals a huge favour in title race Knowing your team could wreck your sworn enemies’ prospects, or needing them to come to your rescue, is a common conflict for football fans

Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers, 1995

Tottenham beating Pep Guardiola’s side would have done their North London rivals a huge favour in title race

Knowing your team could wreck your sworn enemies’ prospects, or needing them to come to your rescue, is a common conflict for football fans