The Story of a Premiership Season

September 1999

Bottom of the table Newcastle unveil 66-year-old Bobby Robson as their new manager, but the contract is only until the end of the season.

Mikael Silvestre snubs Liverpool in preference to Manchester United and signs for £3.2 million from Inter Milan. That softens, somewhat, the administrative error that means the other new arrival at Old Trafford, £4.5 million Italian goalkeeper Massimo Taibi, wasn’t signed in time for the opening games in the Champions’ League.

The electronic age arrives in the Premiership as match officials are wired up with two-way communications.

West Ham’s win over Watford, that takes them third, is marred by Stuart Pearce breaking that famous left leg. Manchester United win the battle of the reds when a couple of Jamie Carragher own goals, at either end of the first half, puts the leaders in the driving seat at Anfield, Liverpool slump to 12th. Arsenal move up a place, to fifth, after beating Aston Villa.

Sheffield Wednesday lose, for the seventh time in eight outings, to Everton and still prop up the Premiership. Newcastle’s sixth reverse, in seven games, leaves them just one place higher, and Bradford draw with Spurs but stay 18th.

Former Liverpool and England full-back Rob Jones is forced into retirement, at 27, after four knee operations.

After the intervention of Prime Minister Tony Blair Juninho finally gets his work-permit.
Manchester United are just 17 minutes away from defeat by Wimbledon until substitute Jordi Cruyff rescues a point and keeps United top. Chelsea slump to sixth after a shock Watford win due to Alan Smart’s first goal of the season but Thierry Henry’s first goal for Arsenal, beats Southampton and takes The Gunners third.

Bottom club Sheffield Wednesday are on the receiving end of Newcastle’s pent-up frustrations and are hammered at St James’ Park where Alan Shearer nets five goals, including two penalties. But The Magpies stay 19th, despite the club’s biggest win since 1946. Bradford lose to Villa and remain 18th.

Manchester United are lucky to escape with a home draw, against Southampton, after an error-prone performance from goalkeeper Massimo Taibi. It’s the first time The Saints have emerged from Old Trafford, without defeat, in 11 visits. United stay top but second-placed Arsenal reduce the gap with victory over Watford.

Derby slump into the bottom three when they lose to Bradford, who move up to 17th, due to a Horatio Carbonari own goal. Newcastle, despite a brace from Alan Shearer, making it seven goals in two games for him, lose to Leeds and remain 19th while Sheffield Wednesday’s sixth consecutive reverse keeps them bottom.

A stormy affair at Anfield sees Everton triumph in the Merseyside derby, thanks to an early Kevin Campbell goal. Liverpool have Steven Gerrard and Sandor Westerveld sent off, Steve Staunton dons the ’keeper’s gloves and Everton striker Francis Jeffers is also red carded.

SIDEBAR
Len Shackleton scored six goals, on his Newcastle debut, in the 13–0 win over Newport.

Story of a Premiership Season - September 1999

Story of a Premiership Season -
September 1999