The Story of a Premiership Season

October 2000

Manchester United are beaten for the first time since February when a Thierry Henry goal helps Arsenal close the gap on second place but unbeaten Leicester are the surprise new ‘table-toppers’ thanks to a draw with Sunderland. Chelsea earn new manager Claudio Ranieri an impressive first win over Liverpool, who are rocked by an early Sandor Westerveld own goal and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s fourth goal of the season, inside two minutes.

Leicester City’s tenure at the top ends when they are replaced by Manchester United, who win comfortably at Filbert Street. The Foxes drop below Arsenal, for whom Henry is again the match-winner, against Aston Villa. Graham Le Saux and Kevin Kilbane are sent off as Sunderland beat Chelsea and Spurs fans rage at George Graham after their team lose to Coventry.

West Ham draw with Ipswich but stay 18th. Everton drop to just above the drop zone after drawing with Southampton.

Liverpool go fourth with the help of an Emile Heskey hat-trick that sinks bottom of the table Derby.

Manchester United and Arsenal are level on points at the top of the table, but United are ahead on goal difference, after the sides beat Leeds and West Ham, respectively. Leicester drop further down the table when they lose to a goal from ‘old boy’ Emile Heskey that takes Liverpool third. Newcastle lose to Everton but stay fourth. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink hits four, and doubles his tally, as Chelsea thrash Coventry.

Manchester United and Arsenal go ‘goal crazy’ as they confirm their respective first and second placings. United entertain a Premiership record attendance of 67,581 by crushing Southampton, who drop into the bottom three, helped by a Teddy Sheringham hat-trick, United’s first treble of the campaign. Arsenal match United’s score against their City rivals. Newcastle slump four places, to eighth, when they lose to a Freddie Kanoute goal, only his second of the season, at West Ham. The Hammers leap out of the relegation zone to 15th.

Derby suffer a fourth consecutive defeat, to Leicester, who move up a place to fourth, and stay bottom. ‘Muzzy’ Izzet hits The Foxes’ opener and becomes the first player to score more than one goal and with his second of the season becomes top scorer! Ipswich take their unbeaten run to six with a win over Middlesbrough that takes them up a place to fifth.

Liverpool consolidate third place with victory in the Merseyside derby, helped by a Nick Barmby goal against his former club.

Bradford pick up their only point of the month with a spectacular Stan Collymore goal earning a draw with Leeds, but The Bantams remain 19th.