The Story of a Premiership Season

May 2000

Wimbledon manager Egil Olsen is sacked by the club’s Norwegian owners after an eight-game losing streak, ending an 11 month tenure.

Arsenal move three points closer to runners-up place with a stoppage time winner from ‘Manu’ Petit against West Ham.

Leeds look favourites for third place after they beat doomed Watford while Liverpool’s European ambitions are hit by defeat at Leicester.

Bradford are dumped back into the bottom three after losing to Leicester and look set to join Sheffield Wednesday and Watford in the drop.

Manchester United receive the Premiership trophy after easing to a 10th successive League victory, over Spurs. Wimbledon gain a priceless point at Villa, with a stoppage-time equaliser from substitute John Hartson, and move out of the bottom three. Derby ensure safety with a draw against Newcastle and an eighth successive Arsenal win, with another Thierry Henry brace, means second place for The Gunners and keeps Chelsea fifth.

Liverpool, even with Robbie Fowler starting, for the first time since September, are held by Southampton and can’t budge from third. Leeds can’t improve, either, and, despite Michael Bridges scoring for the fourth consecutive game to take his final tally to 19, they remain fourth after drawing with Everton.

Sheffield Wednesday are relegated, at Highbury, but at one stage they lead Arsenal, 3–1, only to be pegged back by two goals in the last 12 minutes.

It’s an emotional day in the Premiership as the final issues are settled. Wimbledon are relegated from the top flight with defeat at Southampton. Ironically it’s 23 years since The Dons joined the Football League and 12 years since the club enjoyed it’s finest moment, FA Cup success against Liverpool. And it’s Liverpool who are on the receiving end as Bradford confound all expectations, they have only once been out of the bottom three since the turn of the year, with victory due to a David Wetherall header that preserves The Bantams’ Premier League status.

Despite suffering their worst defeat of the season, at Newcastle, Arsenal earn second place ahead of Leeds who gain entry into the Champions’ League by finishing third. Newcastle’s win over The Gunners is special for Alan Shearer who nets his 300th career goal, his 200th League goal and his 30th goal of the campaign, with his 22nd minute strike.

Sheffield Wednesday bid farewell to the Premiership with a ‘pressure-off’ thrashing of Leicester.
Team of the season, Manchester United, sign off in style. Their victory at Aston Villa, who finish sixth, gives them the title by 18 points, equals the club record of only three defeats and surpasses the Busby Babes’ mark of 27 League wins in one campaign.