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| May 2002 Sir Alex Ferguson loses his temper, at a press conference, against media critics who question his £28 million purchase of Juan Sebastian Veron. Roy Keane follows up with an attack on certain Old Trafford team mates who he claims have not been pulling their weight. With deep irony Arsenal clinch the Premiership title, and ‘The Double’, on Manchester United’s patch with a Sylvain Wiltord goal that earns a 12th consecutive victory. The Gunners are eight points clear of United who finish without a trophy for only the third time in 13 years. Arsenal finish with an unbeaten away record, something not achieved in the top flight since Preston, in 1889. After 12 years Denis Irwin plays his 527th, and final, game for Manchester United in the draw at Charlton that gives United a third-place finish. It’s party time at Highbury where Arsenal receive the Premier League trophy and then celebrate with their 13th consecutive victory. Ironically their winner, in a seven-goal ‘thriller’ with Everton, comes from former Goodison player Francis Jeffers. Two issues are settled at Anfield where Liverpool’s crushing victory over Ipswich earns a Champions’ League place, as runners-up, and relegates Town. Michael Owen scores and takes his tally to 19, 10 more than the nearest challenger, Emile Heskey. Heskey’s former club, Leicester, say goodbye to the Premiership with their first win in six games, against Spurs, but they finish bottom. Derby’s six-year run in the top flight finishes with a draw against Sunderland, who finish four points above the drop line. |
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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. |
