The 10 greatest chokes in the history of football

# 6 – Newcastle United 1995/ 96 EPL season

The 1995-96 season was somewhat of a dream to Newcastle faithfuls. Under Kevin Keegan, they had a bright chance to win their first league title since 1927. In January 1996, Newcastle led Manchester United by a dozen points. At the end of February, they were still leading with 8 points and a game at hand.

Kevin Keegan looking exasperated

Things began changing when they lost 1-0 to United at the starting of March. United took the lead but Newcastle were not done yet. They won three straight games in April to keep the title race alive. But it was not enough.

At the last day of the season, Newcastle were trailing United by two points. United won their game but Newcastle could manage only a draw against Tottenham.

# 5 – Real Madrid’s 2003/04 La Liga season

Real Madrid entered March 2004 with only 12 matches remaining and with a lead of a sound 12 points over second placed Deportivo La Coruna.

Spanish club Real Madrid players, including Luis Figo (2nd L), Carlos (3rd L) and David Beckham (C) pose with Hong Kong children ahead of their friendly match against a select Hong Kong side at Hong Kong Stadium, 08 August 2003, during their Asian tour. (RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images)

They then two drew two games in a row and lost one and were still three points ahead of Valencia, who moved to second. With the set of superstars they had, nobody expected what came after that.

Real Madrid astonishingly lost seven of their final eight matches, which included four home defeats on a trot to lose the title. Not only did they lose they title, they were overtaken by Valencia, Deportivo and Barcelona, finishing the season in 4th place.