here are few seasons in Premier League history, which were as one-sided and devoid of competition as the Premier League 2002/03 season. It had awesome and thrilling games as well as other unforgettable moments alongside the rise of star players along with blood-boiling rivalries. In our journey through this iconic season, we will take a look at the best bits of them all and how English football delivered yet another unforgettable drama.
Overview of the Season
The Premier League 2002/03 season started on August 17 and ended on May 11. Manchester United were the reigning champions from the Premier League 2002/03 season in a league that was made up of 20 teams. This has made for an incredibly competitive season right through the table as this depth of talent in Ligue 1 has been seen at both ends.
Key Teams and Players
Manchester United
Manchester United, who were looking to win their third straight title under Sir Alex Ferguson. Across the squad, there were stars like Ruud van Nistelrooy – who would end the season as top scorer with 25 goals – and Paul Scholes to feed off of.
Arsenal
Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal, on the other hand, were a less robust side with title aspirations of their own and through today’s eyes seem like a fiercer rival than they were. The Gunners, boasting a host of established names in their prime such as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira refused to be blown away by the winds of Super Sunday change.
Chelsea
That year, Chelsea rose as a strong new power with the aid of signings such as Claude Makélélé and Hernán Crespo. It was all about overturning the status quo of English football so that they could break into the ‘Golden Top Tier’.
Other Notable Teams
The English teams stayed loyal to the new league and Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur all had cash cows of stadiums while their fans were seen as some of the most passionate in England. In addition, the fight for European places and relegation was even more interesting in that campaign.
Memorable Matches
Gameweeks 1: Arsenal vs Everton (4-0)
There was an explosive start to the season as Arsenal entertained Everton at Highbury Arsenal and Thierry Henry scored twice to all but kill off the title race. This devastating display of attacking football showed just how powerful and quick this Arsenal side can be.
Manchester United 4-0 Newcastle United
It was September 14, 2002, and Manchester United were to meet Newcastle at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have run riot with Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring a hat-trick. It was a display of how powerful United were at home and what they had to do to retain the crown.
Chelsea 2 -1 Tottenham Hotspur
On November 30, 2002, the London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur was an epic. Further strength strength in their top-four aspirations came with a late Chelsea win through an amazing effort from Frank Lampard. The game was a sign of things to come in the league.
Arsenal 2 Manchester United 0
Arsenal hosted Manchester United at Highbury on October 24. That win, decided by goals from Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in a tight match with few chances on offer between the two teams played was not given any extra gloss at the time other than putting Arsenal back on track to run for the title suggesting that Chelsea could be viewed as rivals.
The Title Decider: Manchester United 2–0 Arsenal
Man Utd v Arsenal —April 21 2003 THE highlight of the season may prove to be a dress rehearsal for the title as Manchester United and Arsenal fight over finishing top. United won the tie 2-1, in front of a baying Old Trafford crowd thanks to goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and John O’Shea. This gave United a major advantage in the title race with it being theirs to lose after that victory.
The Relegation Battle
The title race might have got all the headlines but that wasn’t even half of the drama as far as retro Premier League is concerned. But if only teams like West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, and Leeds United had fought as fiercely to stay up.
Key Relegation Matches
West Brom 3-2 Southampton | March 29, 2003: WEST BROM (11) boost their survival hopes as they come from behind to grab three points vestment against relegation rivals SOUTHAMPTON in the lunchtime battle at The Hawthorns.
Sunderland 1-1 West Ham, May 4th,2003 (Sean Thornton for Sunderland) The draw perhaps was the most significant as it meant that Sunderland had to rely on a ‘miracle’ How wrong were they and five days later sent down?
Final Day Drama
The relegation race took a dramatic final twist on the last day of that season — 11 May 2003. West Brom’s vital win at Portsmouth ensured that they will be a Premier League team next season, while Sunderland were relegated from the top flight, with Leeds United and West Ham.
Season Highlights
And it was not limited to teams, as well; the 2002-03 season also underlined iconic individual performances.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was undoubtedly the star of the show, ending as top-scorer with 25 goals and demonstrating his ruthless edge in-front of goal.
Player of the Season: Manchester United’s Roy Keane captained Alex Ferguson’s side to another Premier League title with some brilliant displays © PA
Young player of the season—Joe Cole: The Chelsea playmaker distinguished himself with his flair and invention, taking forward a brilliant future.
Conclusion
The Premier League 2002/03 season was a cracker in English football history. The Gunners and Chelsea pushed United all the way before losing steam, while at the bottom of the table five teams went into — even playing a 38th game to decide who would be relegated. But the unforgettable games, players, and moments of this season have certainly left a lasting mark on football fans around the globe.
Looking back at that iconic campaign, it is testament to the passion and drama that make us fellows Premier League fans love this great league. Re-watching the best bits of that 2002/03 season is a stroll down memory lane for football fans, when it really did seem like all our hearts belonged to the beautiful game.
