The Story of a Premiership Season

November 2001

Leicester win, for the first time in nine games, against Sunderland, and Ade Akinbiyi scores his first League goal for 203 days, and The Foxes move out of the bottom three. Ravanelli nets on his return to The Riverside, his fourth consecutive scoring game, in the 89th minute but it’s small consolation for Derby County who slump to bottom of the table as a result of their heaviest defeat of the season. Southampton stay 19th after losing to Blackburn.

An awesome display by Liverpool, with two goals from Michael Owen, beats Manchester United, who drop to sixth, and puts the Anfield outfit top, for a few hours at least. Leeds go back to the summit after beating Spurs. Aston Villa fall two places to third after they lose to Newcastle, who go fourth. Arsenal slump to fifth after they suffer a shock defeat by Charlton, who hit four goals in 18 minutes.

Ipswich lose at Chelsea and drop into the bottom three, Samuele Dalla Bona hits the last-minute winner, his first goal for the club.

The looming storm, over television rights money, is deepened by the PFA’s announcement that 99 percent of their members would vote in favour of strike action.

Liverpool go top of the Premiership after a Michael Owen goal, his seventh of the season, earns a point at Blackburn. Manchester United climb two places, to fourth, after victory over Leicester, who drop a place, into the bottom three, as a consequence. Arsenal, after a fourth game without victory, stay fifth after a drawn North London derby. Newcastle’s defeat by Fulham is United’s 27th visit to the capital without a win.

Leeds drop a place to second after losing, for the first time this campaign, at Sunderland. Ipswich sink to their lowest position of the season, 19th, when their defeat by Bolton extends their winless League run to 11.

Paul Kitson marks his first game for 21 months by scoring only the second Premiership hat-trick of the season as West Ham draw with Charlton. Only a 90th minute Jonart Johansson leveller prevents The Hammers’ second away win.

The PFA announce strike action for the first week-end of December. But action is called off after the Premier League promises £52.5 million over three years. The Players Union then reveal the deal is for 10 years, not three as first announced.

Southampton win for the first time at their new St Mary’s Stadium before a club-record 31, 198 attendance. Marian Pahars gets the only goal that beats Charlton and takes The Saints out of the bottom three and pulls The Addicks to 16th. Leicester drop a place to 19th after drawing with Everton.

Liverpool remain top with an Emile Heskey goal that beats Sunderland and Leeds stay second with a draw against Aston Villa but goalscorer Alan Smith is red carded for the fifth time in his young career. Fabien Barthez has a ‘mare’ at Highbury as two late Henry goals help Arsenal to victory over Manchester United that takes The Gunners third and drops United two places to sixth.

Newcastle go fourth with victory over Derby that plunges The Rams into the bottom three.

Ipswich drop to bottom of the table after drawing with Middlesbrough.

Table-topping Liverpool sell ‘God’, Robbie Fowler, to championship rivals Leeds United in an £11 million transfer that shocks Anfield fans. Fowler then reveals, after 171 goals for the club, there was no contract on the table from Liverpool.

Story of a Premiership Season - November 2001

Story of a Premiership Season -
November 2001