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| February 2002 Manchester United cruise to victory over Sunderland and confirm leadership of the Premiership. Although Ruud Van Nistelrooy hits two to take his tally to 18 it’s David Beckham, who abandons his trademark white boots, who makes the headlines with a trademark free-kick, wearing new all-black footwear. Alan Shearer also hits two as Newcastle beat Bolton to stay second, sending Wanderers into the bottom three. Arsenal are held by Southampton and remain fourth. Leicester give Chelsea a run for their money before going down to a Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 90th minute winner. Chelsea go fifth while Leicester stay bottom. Derby end their losing run with a Lee Morris goal beating Spurs to climb up to 19th. Liverpool keep a third consecutive clean-sheet as they inflict Leeds’ worst home defeat for nearly two years and take third place. Newcastle make 18-year-old Jermaine Jenas English football’s most expensive teenager when they pay £5 million for him to Nottingham Forest. Graham Taylor signs a two and a half year contract to takeover as Aston Villa manager. Sir Alex Ferguson does a ‘U’ turn and reveals ‘wife and family’ persuaded him to postpone his planned retirement. After becoming only the third player in 67 years to move from Everton to Liverpool Abel Xavier marks his debut with the opening goal in the thrashing of Ipswich which Town manager George Burley sums up with ‘we were lucky to get away with 6–0’. Liverpool move up to second while Ipswich drop to 13th. Newcastle drop to third despite victory over Southampton in which Alan Shearer nets twice against his first club. Leicester lose again, to Spurs, and stay bottom. Derby are one place better off, after losing to Sunderland and Ricardo Gardner gets the goal that beats West Ham and takes Bolton out of the bottom three. Blackburn replace Wanderers after their fourth successive defeat, against Fulham, plunges them into trouble. Solskjaer’s brace beats Charlton and provides a change of Premiership leaders for the 25th time this campaign as Manchester United take pole position. Nicholas Anelka scores his first goal for the club in the drawn Mersey derby that drops Liverpool down to fourth. Arsenal climb above Liverpool by beating Fulham and Thierry Henry’s brace takes his tally to 20. But Manchester United are still leaders after Ruud Van Nistelrooy nets the winner against Villa. Newcastle beat Sunderland and climb to second. Sir Alex Ferguson signs a new three-year deal to remain as Manchester United’s manager. |
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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. |
