After capturing Rio Ferdinand the previous season, Leeds United started the season off in emphatic style, they were top of the league during September and October with an impressive run of results.
Manchester United were far from impressive during the early stages of the season as they had only won 6 of their first 15 matches, however they made a remarkable recovery. One of the most dramatic matches of the season was between Manchester United and Tottenham, as United went 3-0 down at half time, they looked dead and buried. However a second half onslaught by United saw them producing five goals, and the score resulting in a 5-3 victory to Manchester United. In November, Liverpool defeated Leicester City 4-1, with the help of a hat- trick by Robbie Fowler. However Fowler transferred from Liverpool to Leeds a few weeks later for £11 Million. Manchester United surprisingly lost at home to Chelsea and West Ham; however they later took out all their frustration of the defeats by thrashing Derby County and Southampton 6-1 and 5-0 respectively.
By the end of the calendar year, it looked like a two horse race for the title, between Newcastle and Arsenal. Liverpool began 2002 in stunning form as they thrashed Leeds United 4-0 at Elland Road before putting six past Ipswich the following week, to put them firmly in the title race at second. Arsenal hit an impressive run of form during February as they beat Everton, which in turn started off an amazing run of 13 straight victories. Manchester United’s second half of the season display was also brilliant as they kept the pressure on Arsenal until the final two weeks of the season. Arsenal clinched the title at Old Trafford when Sylvan Wiltord gave the Gunners the only goal of the match in a 1-0 victory. Liverpool finished in second place, and they were followed by Manchester united and Newcastle, who both also occupied the other two champion’s league positions.
After Ipswich’s heroic performances in the 2000/2001 season, they were demoted to the first division along with Derby County and Leicester City. Thierry Henry came top scorer, as he scored 24 goals, however Hasslebank, Ruud Van Nistlerooy and Alan Shearer all scored 23 goals during the season. A total of 1000 goals were scored in premiership in the 2001/02 season.