The big summer signing’s included Rio Ferdinand moving to Manchester United for a record British transfer fee of £30 million. The manager of Leeds United, replacing David O’Leary, was Terry Venables. Leeds struggled through out the season and the pattern was set at the start of the season as they lost at home to Sunderland. However Sunderland faired little better during the season as they were to be relegated at the end of it. Tottenham started off the season sharply as they were top at the end of August, however their North London counterparts, Arsenal, claimed pole position as Arsenal beat Leeds 4-1 in September, which marked them scoring in their 47rth consecutive league match.
Everton unleashed their teenage prodigy, Wayne Rooney, on 19th October, as he became the youngest ever premiership goal scorer at the age of 16 years.
After a mixed start to the season, Manchester United were beginning to show some signs of brilliance. They beat Newcastle 5-3 and in December they had a vital 2-0 victory over rivals, Arsenal.
Arsenal started the New Year in great form; Thierry Henry continued to produce his magic on the pitch as he scored a hat trick against West Ham as Arsenal edged five points in front of the premiership. Leeds United’s crippling debts may have ruined the morale of the team, as they were forced to sell of Robbie Fowler to Manchester City and Jonathan Woodgate to Newcastle.
Manchester united reclaimed the top spot at the beginning of March, as Ruud Van Nistlerooy scored a hat trick against Fulham in a 3-0 victory.
Arsenal however were back on top the following week, but Manchester United went level on points as they thrashed Liverpool 4-0 and they followed that up by a 6-2 win at Newcastle. United were in fact outstanding come what the end of the season as they beat Blackburn 3-1 and secured three easy points against Spurs in a 2-0 victory. Mark Viduka ruined any hopes of winning the title for Arsenal as Leeds United saved them selves from relegation as they beat Arsenal 3-2 away from home. Viduka went on a run of 11 goals in eight matches at the end of the season. United ended the season on 83 points and secured their eighth premiership title in eleven years. West ham, West Brom and Sunderland were all demoted to the first division as they were all relegated.