Following relegation via the controversial playoff system at the end of the 1987/88 season, Chelsea found themselves back in the Second-tier of English football.
A poor start to campaign threatened to see the Blues suffer more heartache. Only three-points from the opening six-matches, left Chelsea in the bottom three. The Shed End of the ground was closed following crowd trouble during the playoff defeat to Middlesbrough the previous May.
However, A 2-0 win away to Leeds United turned the tide. Winning four out of the next five , including a 5-0 drubbing of Plymouth Argyle, the Blues renaissance was temporarily stopped with a defeat at Hull City.
It was at that point an astonishing unbeaten run that went on for 27-games, that was the catalyst to title success.
A memorable 7-0 drubbing of Walsall, a 3-0 win at Stoke City, a 4-1 win at Birmingham City, and a massive 3-2 win at title rivals Manchester City were just a number of memorable results during the campaign.
The winning run came to an end at Leicester City in mid-April 1989. But the following week gave the Blues the chance to clinch the title at Stamford Bridge with Leeds United the visitors. Both clubs had fallen on hard times since their dramatic battles during the 1960s and early 70s.
In front of a crowd of over thirty-thousand, the Blues clinched the title with a second-half goal from Chelsea folk hero John Bumstead.
Not the most memorable of games, but Chelsea haven’t looked back since. After a rocky period of promotions and relegations throughout the 70s and 80s, the Blues have been a mainstay in the top-flight.
Captained by Graham Roberts, marauding forward runs by left-back Tony Dorigo, defensive quality from Steve Clarke, midfield grit from Peter Nicholas, Scots Kevin McAllister and Joe McLaughlin, goals from Gordon Durie, Kevin Wilson, and most notably Kerry Dixon (26) helped the Blues to a then record 99-points, a massive 17-points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester City.
Watch the season review below. Courtesy of CPV 4CFC
Blue is the colour
