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| May 2003 Manchester United are nearly there. A Van Nistelrooy hat-trick, the Dutchman’s third treble of the season, helps beat Charlton and keep United ahead of Arsenal. But the news is made by what appears to be an emotional ‘goodbye’ to Old Trafford fans by David Beckham after his goal puts United on the road to victory. Newcastle again qualify for the Champions’ League when they clinch third place in the Premiership with victory over Birmingham City. But Sunderland’s record-breaking 14th consecutive Premier League defeat, against Aston Villa, condemns them to relegation. West Ham’s third consecutive victory, over Chelsea, with a Paulo Di Canio winner, keeps Hammers’ hopes alive of avoiding the drop. Arsenal hand Manchester United their 8th Premiership title, in 11 years, when they crash at home to Leeds United, Mark Viduka hits the winner with two minutes left. ‘Fergie’, with 27 trophies in 29 years and the most successful ever British manager, comes off the golf-course to learn of his team’s triumph. In a cup final rehearsal Arsenal take out their disappointment by crushing Southampton, with hat-tricks from Jermaine Pennant and Robert Pires. West Brom say goodbye to the Premiership with a draw against Newcastle. West Ham are down after they lose to Birmingham after leading 1–0 with 24 minutes left. And spare a thought for Sunderland who are ruthlessly cut down by Arsenal with Thierry Henry netting his 24th goal of the campaign and Freddie Ljunberg doubling his season’s tally with a hat-trick. The Chelsea v Liverpool game, with the ‘winner-takes-all’ scenario of the final Champions’ League place, which is dubbed a £20 million game, is won by the home side, who come from 1–0 down to win. Champions Manchester United sign-off in style with their 25th victory of the campaign, at Everton. David Beckham scores, again, what proves to be his last goal for the club and Ruud Van Nistelrooy scores for the eighth consecutive game, 13 goals in that spell, and finishes the season with 25 League goals, 40 in all competitions. Bolton, who had been out of the bottom three since Boxing Day, finish 17th after victory over Middlesbrough. |
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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. |
