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| May 1998 The second relegation place is filled by Barnsley after they lose at Leicester and the prodigal German Jurgen Klinsmann rescues Tottenham’s season with a four goal blast, his second, third and fourth goals coming inside six second-half minutes, that helps beat Wimbledon and virtually assures Spurs of Premiership survival and moves them up to 15th. Bolton give themselves late hope and move out of the relegation zone with their best result in the top flight, and a season’s best, as they thrash Crystal Palace. It is also the first time Bolton have scored five goals in a Premiership match. Arsenal clinch their 11th League championship in style with a crushing victory over Everton that is a 10th consecutive win, equals a club record and is a new Premiership record. Fittingly the Highbury result is completed by a sensational 89th minute goal from skipper Tony Adams, who bursts forward to volley past a statuesque Thomas Myhre. Arsene Wenger becomes the first foreign manager to win the English League title. The defeat plunges Everton into relegation trouble as it puts them a point behind Bolton, in 18th place. But the result ensures Premiership safety for Tottenham and Wimbledon. Manchester United get on with the job of securing second place with a professional victory over Leeds and the next day they shatter the club record by signing Jaap Stam for £10.75 million, which is also a world record for a defender. Arsenal’s 18 match unbeaten run finally comes to an end when rest a number of players and suffer their worst defeat of the season to Liverpool. The final relegation issue is decided when Bolton are relegated after they lose at Chelsea and Everton survive, on goal difference, with a home draw against Coventry City. SIDEBAR Arsenal’s defeat at Liverpool is the first time they conceded four goals since the very first day of the Premiership, in 1992, when they lost 4–2 at home to Norwich City. It is also The Gunners’ worst-ever defeat in six seasons of the Premier League. |
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The
above article is an extract from The Breedon Book of Premiership Records by Brian Beard. For details of this essential addition to the bookshelves of any football fan click HERE. |
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