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| August 2003 Manchester United and Arsenal open with victories, with the champions having a particularly emphatic win over Bolton. Sol Cambell’s 25th minute dismissal, in the victory over Everton, makes him the first Premiership red card of the campaign. But there are mixed fortunes for the Premiership new boys. Wolves are crushed by Blackburn, Leicester are held by Southampton but Paul Dickov nets the first Premiership goal of the season, from the spot, after just five minutes. Portsmouth start with victory over Aston Villa, who lose Gareth Barry to an 87th minute red card, three minutes after he scores Villa’s only goal. Roman Abramovich’s multi-million pound investment pays an immediate dividend as Chelsea win at Anfield, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink netting an 88th minute winner. Wolves’ introduction to top flight football gets worse as they slump at home to Charlton and are bottom of the table. Leicester also lose, to Chelsea, who, like Manchester United and Arsenal, make it two wins out of two to top the table, with wins over Newcastle and Middlesbrough, respectively. Portsmouth are third after their draw with Manchester City. Pompey go top after they beat Bolton, with the Premiership’s oldest striker, 37-year-old Teddy Sheringham, hitting the first hat-trick of the season. but the next day United and Arsenal extend their 100 percent record with wins over Wolves and Villa, respectively. Successive goalless draws, against Villa and Spurs, mean just two points for winless Liverpool, after three games. But United and Arsenal go clear after their third consecutive victories, over Wolves, who are bottom, and Villa. Chelsea drop their first point in drawing with Blackburn but the first significant chapter of the season comes after United’s shock defeat by Southampton coincides with Arsenal’s victory at Manchester City, which moves The Gunners clear at the top. Liverpool finally get a win, over neighbours Everton. At the foot of the table Leicester and Wolves, still without a win between them, are already looking early strugglers after defeat by Villa and a draw with Portsmouth, respectively. |
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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. |
