The English Football Belt · reign 1,480

Manchester United

Took the belt from Southampton, 2–1, on May 15, 2005. Lost it to Blackburn Rovers, 2–1, on September 24, 2005.

5Defenses

132Days

64thReign for the club

+1Closest call · Aug 20, 2005

1.7Average winning margin

56thLongest of 1,686 reigns, by days

140thMost defenses of 1,686 reigns

How it started

Took the belt from Southampton, 2–1, on May 15, 2005.

How it ended

Lost it to Blackburn Rovers, 2–1, on September 24, 2005.

Defended against

EvertonAston VillaNewcastleMan CityLiverpool

2004–05: Manchester United finished 22–5–11, 3rd of 20 by record; 1 belt game of this reign; the belt changed hands 12 times that season.
2005–06: Chelsea had the best record (29–5–4); 6 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 13 times that season.

margins from Manchester United’s side

Belt game	Date	Result	Margin
4,158	May 15, 2005	Manchester United beat Southampton 2–1 Game →	+1	Title change
4,159	Aug 13, 2005	Manchester United beat Everton 2–0	+2	Defense
4,160	Aug 20, 2005	Manchester United beat Aston Villa 1–0	+1	Defense
4,161	Aug 28, 2005	Manchester United beat Newcastle United 2–0	+2	Defense
4,162	Sep 10, 2005	Manchester United and Manchester City tied 1–1	0	Tie · defense
4,163	Sep 18, 2005	Manchester United and Liverpool tied 0–0	0	Tie · defense
4,164	Sep 24, 2005	Blackburn Rovers beat Manchester United 2–1	−1	Title change