2002–03 FA Premier League

Teams

Twenty teams competed in the league – the top seventeen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the First Division. The promoted teams were Manchester City (immediately returning after a season's absence), West Bromwich Albion, and Birmingham City (both teams returning to the top flight after a sixteen-year absence). This was also both West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City's first season in the Premier League. They replaced Ipswich Town (relegated to the First Division after two seasons in the top flight), Derby County, and Leicester City (both teams relegated after a six-year presence).

Stadiums and locations

Arsenal

Charlton Athletic

Chelsea

Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur

West Ham United

Aston Villa

Birmingham City

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Personnel and kits

Managerial changes

League table

Results

Overall

• Most wins – Manchester United (25)
• Fewest wins – Sunderland (4)
• Most draws – Bolton Wanderers (14)
• Fewest draws – Leeds United (5)
• Most losses – Sunderland (27)
• Fewest losses – Manchester United (5)
• Most goals scored – Arsenal (85)
• Fewest goals scored – Sunderland (21)
• Most goals conceded – West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland (65)
• Fewest goals conceded – Manchester United (34)

Season statistics

Scoring

• First goal of the season: ENG Michael Ricketts for Bolton Wanderers against Fulham (17 August 2002)
• Last goal of the season: AUS Mark Viduka for Leeds United against Aston Villa (11 May 2003)

Top scorers

Hat-tricks

Main article: List of Premier League hat-tricks

• 4 Player scored 4 goals

Scoring

• First goal of the season: Michael Ricketts for Bolton Wanderers against Fulham (17 August 2002)
• Fastest goal of the season:
• Largest winning margin: 6 goals
  • West Bromwich Albion 0–6 Liverpool (26 April 2003)
• Highest scoring game: 8 goals
  • Manchester United 5–3 Newcastle United (23 November 2002)
  • Newcastle United 2–6 Manchester United (12 April 2003)
• Most goals scored in a match by a losing team: 3 goals
  • West Ham United 3–4 Leeds United (10 November 2002)
  • Manchester United 5–3 Newcastle United (23 November 2002)
  • Bolton Wanderers 4–3 Newcastle United (26 December 2002)
  • Tottenham Hotspur 4–3 Everton (12 January 2003)

Clean sheets

• Most clean sheets: 15
  • Blackburn Rovers
• Fewest clean sheets: 5
  • Tottenham Hotspur

Discipline

Worst overall disciplinary record (1 pt per yellow card, 3 pts per red card):

Best overall disciplinary record:

Awards

Monthly awards

Annual awards

PFA Players' Player of the Year

The PFA Players' Player of the Year award for 2003 was won by Thierry Henry of Arsenal. This was the Frenchman's first award of the season and he beat off competition from the previous winner Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, in alphabetical order, was as follows:

PFA Young Player of the Year

The PFA Young Player of the Year award was won by Jermaine Jenas of Newcastle United. Wayne Rooney was voted runner-up, and John O'Shea finished third in one of his first full seasons as a United player.

The shortlist for the award was as follows:

PFA Team of the Year

Premier League Manager of the Year

The Premier League Manager of the Year award was won by Sir Alex Ferguson for winning his eighth title and regaining the league after a superb second half to the season, involving an 18-match unbeaten run.

Premier League Player of the Year

The Premier League Player of the Year award was given to Ruud van Nistelrooy, whose form, creativity and goals all helped Manchester United regain the league from Arsenal.

Premier League Golden Boot

The Premier League Golden Boot award was also won by Ruud van Nistelrooy who scored 25 goals in 38 league matches and 44 in all competitions. He also equalled his record of eight goals in eight successive matches at the beginning of the season, a milestone he had reached the previous season. Van Nistelrooy finished one goal ahead of Arsenal's Thierry Henry while James Beattie managed 23 league goals for Southampton.

Premier League Golden Gloves

The Premier League Golden Gloves award was given to Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who proved vital in their quest for UEFA Champions League football. He kept twelve clean sheets – the most in the season – and only conceded 35 goals. Viewers of ITV's On the Ball voted Cudicini, ahead of Southampton keeper Antti Niemi, and Blackburn Rovers' Brad Friedel.

Goal of the Season

The annual award was won by a wonder goal from Thierry Henry against Tottenham Hotspur, on 16 November 2002, voted by viewers of ITV's The Premiership.

The French striker picked up the ball from his side of the pitch and ran almost 30 yd, twisting and turning the Spurs defence to unleash a thunderous shot. In celebration, he ran the distance of the whole pitch and skidded in front of the Spurs faithful. The goal proved important as it helped them regain their position at the top of the Premiership from Liverpool.

Premier League Fair Play Award

The Premier League Fair Play Award was won by Manchester United.

Attendances

Source:

References

References

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3. "Arsenal break more records".
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32. (28 April 2003). "Hart hails Jenas PFA award". BBC Sport.
33. (31 July 2003). "Fergie scoops year award". 4TheGame.
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36. via Arsenal's Season Review 2002–03 & airings of The Premiership on 16 & 17 Nov, 7 Dec 2002 and penultimate broadcasting for the season.
37. (16 May 2003). "Barclaycard Premiership 2002/2003 Fair Play League". FA Premier League.
38. https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co91/se2751/attendance/