Alan Ball believed his Manchester City side had done enough to escape relegation in the last game of the 1995/6 season. His side were drawing 2-2 with the mighty Liverpool, and crowd chatter from the stands seemed to indicate that their rivals weren't able to earn required results elsewhere in the country. These reports proved to be false however, and Ball - having instructed his players to sit back and defend - scrambled to order his men forwards. It was too late, however, and City were relegated on goal difference.
