The Story of a Premiership Season

April 2003

Leeds secure their highest-ever Premiership away win, at Charlton and Mark Viduka hits the team’s first hat-trick of the campaign. Sammy Hyypia is sent off after just four minutes as Manchester United go on to record their best win over Liverpool for 50 years. Two Van Nistelrooy penalties gives him five goals, including three spot-kicks, in the last two games, and United close in on leaders Arsenal, who are held by Villa.

West Ham drop back into the bottom three after drawing with Southampton. West Brom are one place lower after crashing to Middlesbrough and Sunderland, well, they lose for the ninth consecutive game, to Chelsea, who stay fourth. Shaun Thornton nets his first goal for The Black Cats, their first in four games.

Newcastle stay third, despite a shock defeat by Everton, who move up to fifth, in which Wayne Rooney scores, for the second game running.

Manchester United post serious championship intent with a crushing victory over Newcastle, helped by a Paul Scholes hat-trick, that takes United’s goal tally, in three games to 13.
West Ham stay top of the relegation zone by drawing with Villa. West Brom lose to Everton and remain 19th while Sunderland’s losing streak extends to double figures with defeat at Birmingham.
In the title ‘decider’ Manchester United move closer to leaders Arsenal with a 2–2 draw against The Gunners. Sol Cambell is red carded for an elbow on Solskjaer.

Arsenal win for the first time in three games when they beat Middlesbrough but have to settle for second place because Manchester United take over at the top following their victory over Blackburn and Ruud Van Nistelrooy opens the scoring with his 20th League goal of the campaign. Shearer scores for the first time in four games but Newcastle stay third after losing to Fulham.
West Brom secure a first win in nine games, against ‘rock-bottom’ Sunderland, with skipper Derek McInnes netting his only goals of the season, but The Baggies’ relegation is confirmed. West Ham are still in deep trouble after defeat by Bolton keeps them in the drop zone.

Alan Smith gets his third red card of the season as Leeds lose to Southampton.

West Ham manager Glenn Roeder is rushed to hospital, complaining of chest pains, after his side wins at ’Boro, but remains 18th. Relegated West Brom lose to Spurs and Newcastle’s victory over bottom club Sunderland takes The Magpies up to third.

Arsenal drop another two points in drawing with Bolton and the following day Manchester United extend their advantage, at the top, with victory over Spurs, in which Van Nistelrooy scores for the sixth game in a row, making it nine goals in that run.

Michael Owen hits four goals, taking him to 100 goals in 185 Liverpool appearances, as Houllier’s side thrash Albion, who stay 19th. West Ham win successive games for only the third time this season, against Manchester City, but The Hammers remain 18th.

Story of a Premiership Season - April 2003

Story of a Premiership Season -
April 2003