The Story of a Premiership Season

August 1997

Dion Dublin secures the opening day headlines with a hat-trick in Coventry’s victory over Chelsea in which the Sky Blues twice come back from a goal down before Dublin hits the clincher, two minutes from time.

Teddy Sheringham gets a frosty reception on his return to White Hart Lane but despite missing a penalty helps Manchester United to victory over Spurs. The next day Ian Wright scores in Arsenal’s win over Coventry that take’s him to within one goal of Cliff Bastin’s Gunners’ record.
Henning Berg moves from Blackburn to Manchester United, for £5 million, just four days after Rovers drop their asking price to allow Graham La Saux to return to Chelsea for the same price. Barnsley get their first win in the top flight with a Neil Redfearn goal that beats Crystal Palace.

Blackburn Rovers go top of the table after Chris Sutton hits a hat-trick in their win at Villa Park. On the same night Leicester make it six points out of six with a shock win at Anfield and share leadership of the Premiership with The Foxes, and Manchester United, who need a goal from substitute David Beckham to beat Southampton.

Derby County’s opening game at their new Pride Park Stadium is abandoned due to floodlight failure after less than an hour, with The Rams leading Wimbledon 2–1.

At the age of 33 John Barnes leaves Liverpool, on a free transfer, to sign for Newcastle United, where he teams up with Anfield ‘Old Boys’ Kenny Dalglish, manager at St James’ Park, and his assistant Terry McDermott. Five days later Peter Beardsley moves from Newcastle to join Bolton Wanderers.

Blackburn are held at home by Liverpool but stay top and Newcastle beat Aston Villa, who drop to bottom of the table after their third successive defeat, with a John Beresford goal, to retain their 100 percent record. Arsenal’s victory at Southampton takes them second and dumps the Saints to 19th. Gianlucca Vialli hits four as Chelsea crush top flight new boys Barnsley.

Blackburn swamp Sheffield Wednesday with their best-ever Premiership win to confirm their place at the top of the table. Wednesday’s Benito Carbone is sent off and Rovers’ ’keeper John Filan breaks his arm.

Barnsley win again, at home to Bolton, for whom Peter Beardsley scores on his debut, and remain mid-table.

Liverpool finally get their first win, at Leeds, with first goals of the campaign for Steve McManaman and Karl Heinz Riedle.

Manchester United win at Everton to go second while Arsenal squander a 2–0 lead against Leicester who don’t get their first goal until the 84th minute. Despite a Dennis Bergkamp hat-trick, The Gunners concede a goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time, to miss out on the chance of going top.

Blackburn and Manchester United both win to go three points clear at the top while Aston Villa claim a first win of the season, at the fifth attempt, over Leeds United, who drop to 19th as a consequence. Dwight Yorke scores Villa’s first goal of the campaign after nearly 300 minutes of trying.

Chelsea end the month in fourth place after clocking up their third successive victory, and take their goal tally to 14 from four matches, at home to Southampton. Derby get their first victory of the campaign when Stefan Eranio’s penalty, their first Premiership goal, beats newcomers Barnsley and Leicester drop out of the top four by losing at Sheffield Wednesday, who climb up to 15th as a consequence. Southampton’s woeful start continues and defeat at Chelsea, their fourth reverse in five games, leaves The Saints 18th but it’s Wimbledon who prop up the rest after defeat by West Ham.

Story of a Premiership Season - August 1997

Story of a Premiership Season -
August 1997