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One of the Premier League’s most iconic moments is created as Eric Cantona lunges into the crowd, throwing the 1994/95 title race between Man United and Blackburn wide open.

With back-to-back titles in the first two seasons of the Premier League, Alex Ferguson has his eyes set on building a legacy at the seemingly invincible Manchester United.

Thirty miles away at unfashionable Blackburn Rovers, multimillionaire owner Jack Walker still has other ideas. Having finished fourth and then second to United, he and manager Kenny Dalglish are determined to go one better. With a personal fortune of £360 million, he has the money and the appetite to spend his way to success. After buying Alan Shearer for a British transfer record, he goes one better and smashes it again by signing Chris Sutton for £5m. But the rapid injection of money into the game – players’ salaries are hitting £10,000 a week - is starting to create a ‘them and us’ divide with the fans.

The David and Goliath title race between Blackburn and United is too close to call until one cold January night halfway through the season, when Eric Cantona launches himself into the terraces of Selhurst Park and kung-fu kicks a Crystal Palace supporter who’s verbally abused him. It’s reported Cantona has been provoked by a racist slur, but his actions cause national outrage, and the threat of a prison term looms for the mercurial Frenchman.

Despite the repackaging of football and the fanfare of the new Premier League, the sinister underbelly of racism remains.

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 1 Oct 2024 21:30

Music Played

  • Primal Scream

    Loaded

Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest Les Ferdinand
Interviewed Guest Eric Cantona
Interviewed Guest Paul Parker
Interviewed Guest Chris Sutton
Production Manager Rita Cabral
Series Producer Adam Hopkins
Executive Producer Peter Beard
Executive Producer David Nath

Broadcasts

  • Mon 13 Sep 2021 21:00
  • Fri 17 Sep 2021 23:05
  • Fri 1 Oct 2021 00:30
  • Wed 12 Jun 2024 00:20
  • Wed 25 Sep 2024 18:35
  • Thu 26 Sep 2024 12:00
  • Fri 27 Sep 2024 08:30
  • Sun 29 Sep 2024 13:30
  • Mon 30 Sep 2024 23:30
  • Tue 1 Oct 2024 21:30

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