How close each ‘Big Six’ side has come to the treble in the Premier League era
Manchester City are closing in on a historic treble.
After having already beaten Arsenal to the Premier League title and pipped rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final, Manchester City can become just the second English side (after Man Utd in 1999) to win the treble with a win against Inter in the Champions League final this weekend.
The Citizens are huge favourites to finally get their hands on the Champions League trophy on Saturday and finally pick up the one title that has eluded Pep Guardiola’s side so far. Many sides have tried and failed to win the title, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season, but just how close have the ‘Big Six’ come in the Premier League era?
We’ve taken a look for you.
Manchester United
- Season: 1998/99
- Premier League: Winners
- FA Cup: Winners
- Champions League: Winners
1999 was a historic year for Manchester United football club, as they became the first ever English side to win the treble. Sir Alex’s side went unbeaten from Boxing Day onwards in the Premier League (W14, D6) to finish one point above rivals Arsenal, securing the title on the final day with a 2-1 win over Tottenham thanks to goals from Andy Cole and David Beckham. Next up was the FA Cup final, where goals from Teddy Sheringham, who found the net minutes after replacing Roy Keane early in the first half, and Paul Scholes, secured a 2-0 win against Newcastle to complete the double.
The Red Devils then did the unthinkable in the Champions League final, with substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both scoring in added on time to give them a 2-1 win over Bayern Munich at Camp Nou, becoming the first English side to win the UCL since it was re-branded in 1992 and complete a historic treble.
Manchester City
- Season: 2022/23
- Premier League: Winners
- FA Cup: Winners
- Champions League: TBD
Manchester City are just one game away from equalling rivals Manchester United and completing the treble when they face Inter in the Champions League final this weekend. The Citizens overthrew Arsenal at the top of the league to make it five league titles in the last six seasons, before two Ilkay Gundogan strikes, including the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, gave them a 2-0 win over Man Utd to complete the double.
A victory against Inter will also make Pep Guardiola the first manager in European football history to do the double twice, after also completing the feat with his former side Barcelona.
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Liverpool
- Season: 2021/22
- Premier League: Runners-up
- FA Cup: Winners
- Champions League: Runners-Up
Jurgen Klopp’s side played every single game possible during the 2021/22 season, reaching the final of the FA Cup, EFL Cup and the Champions League as the Reds won the domestic cup double. They were just pipped to the Premier League title by Man City, who came back from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on the final day, before losing to specialists Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Chelsea
- Season: 2009/10
- Premier League: Winners
- FA Cup: Winners
- Champions League: Last-16
The Blues won the Premier League and the FA Cup in the same season for the first time in their history in 2010, in their most successful Premier League campaign. Carlo Ancelotti’s men set a new record for the most goals scored (103) and the best goal difference (+71) in a Premier League season, but it was the Champions League that let down their treble hopes, being knocked out by eventual winners Inter Milan in the last-16.
Arsenal
- Season: 2001/02
- Premier League: Winners
- FA Cup: Winners
- Champions League: Group stages
The Gunners had a fantastic domestic season in 2001/02, winning the Premier League by a seven-point margin, whilst going unbeaten away from home and scoring in every single one of their 38 league matches. Goals from Ray Parlour (It’s only Ray Parlour) and Freddie Ljungberg saw off Chelsea at the Millenium Stadium to win the FA Cup and complete Arsenal’s second double in four years. It was in Europe however, where they struggled, being knocked out in the second group stage behind Bayer Leverkusen and Deportivo La Coruna.
Tottenham
- Season: 2016/17
- Premier League: 2nd
- FA Cup: Semi-finals
- Champions League: Group stage
Unlike all the other ‘Big Six’ sides, Spurs have never actually won the league, FA Cup or Champions League in the Premier League era, but the 2016/17 season saw them go unbeaten at home in their final season at White Hart Lane, finishing second, their highest position in the Premier League. Mauricio Pochettino’s men made it all the way to the FA Cup semi-finals, where they were once again bettered by Chelsea, who was finished first and above them in the league. They never made it out of their Champions League group.
