FA Premier League Shirts

Here are a series of unique and meticulously crafted shirt designs that are profoundly inspired by the rich history and vibrant culture of the Premier League, which has captivated and engaged passionate fans for over 30 years since its inception in the year 1992. These exceptional artistic representations celebrate the enduring legacy of all the teams that have competed in every single season of England’s prestigious top division, including well-known and beloved clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Everton, West Ham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and many more beloved teams. Each design is thoughtfully based on the shirt from that particular year and creatively incorporates significant local landmarks, iconic stadiums, and both past and current legendary figures who have played vital roles in shaping the respective histories of these esteemed football clubs up to the present day.

How did I start this project?

This ongoing body of work, centered around England’s top-flight football competition, began all the way back in the summer of 2014 on July 17th, just over a decade ago. Having grown up watching football from an early age, alongside certain other sports of course, the idea emerged seemingly out of nowhere and was initially approached as a trial or experimental test. However, the current style and direction of this work have their roots stretching back to January 2022. Extensive research into the Premier League’s rich history, along with that of the EFL and prominent European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup, and the FA Cup, as well as the football clubs themselves, was undertaken beforehand. This research influenced the creation of shirt designs that feature different landmarks and scenic views of the respective stadiums, which represent the unique regions these clubs are based in and the communities that they also serve. Since 2022, just over 100 players and managers have been documented in this collection, representing a wide array of nationalities from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Wales, to diverse countries including Brazil, Germany, Australia, USA, and many more around the world.

1991/1992 - First Division : The final season of the original First Division before the formation of the F.A. Premier League

This section focuses on the final ever season of the original Football League, prior to the significant restructure that marked the inception of the new F.A. Premier League, which took effect in the second half of 1992. The final winners of this historic competition were Leeds United on April 26th, under the strategic guidance of their manager, Howard Wilkinson, it was the Whites third top flight title since 1969 and 1974 where they were also crowned champions back then, while their closest challengers - Manchester United ended the season in the runner-up position and fellow Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday secured a commendable place in the top tier, finishing third, while Arsenal and Manchester City completed the top five.

At the conclusion of this highly competitive campaign, all of the First Division football clubs, along with those promoted from the Second Division made the monumental decision to resign en masse from the Football League, leading to the official formation of the new top-flight competition on May 27th, a pivotal moment that would revolutionise a new era for English top-flight football.

1993/1994 - F.A. Carling Premiership [Newcastle, West Ham, Swindon join; Andy Cole finishes top scorer; Spurs and Everton avoid drop;Swindon, Oldham and Sheff Utd depart.; start of Carling's sponsorship 1993-2001.]

Manchester United who became the first winners of the newly founded F.A. Premier League entered the second season of the new look competition on a mission to retain the title they won in May 1993. With previous runners up and third placed finishers Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers desperate to challenge Alex Ferguson and his team once again. On August 14th, 1993, three new teams—Newcastle (champions), West Ham (runners-up), and Swindon (playoff winners)—joined the 19 existing clubs in the top league., The F.A. Premier League took on title sponsorship, with Carling becoming the first of two companies to sponsor the competition. The division was rebranded as the F.A. Carling Premiership in a deal lasting until June 2001.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane joined the newly-crowned champions directly from Nottingham Forest, to succeed club-captain Bryan Robson who would retire at the end of the season after 13 years. Nottingham-born Andrew “Andy” Cole debuted in the Premier League with Newcastle, joining from Bristol City, and would finish as top-scorer with 34 goals, three more than Alan Shearer. Glenn Hoddle who guided Swindon into the top-flight via the playoffs, left the Westcountry club to take up the reigns at Chelsea, assuming the dual role of player-manager, leaving his assistant John Gorman to manage the club. Howard Kendall handed in his resignation at Goodison Park in early December, with Mike Walker moving north to replace him at Everton, John Deehan became manager at Carrow Road, while Graeme Souness resigned from Anfield after Liverpool’s surprising FA Cup loss to Bristol City. Roy Evans took over as interim manager and then became the full-time manager the next season.

On the first day, George Graham’s Arsenal, which featured the meanest and tightest defence and goalkeeper of David Seaman, Lee Dixon, Steve Bould, Martin Keown, skipper Tony Adams and Nigel Winterburn, suffered at the hands of Micky Quinn as his hat-trick saw Coventry City win at Highbury. Everton briefly topped the table in August after beating Sheffield United 4-2 at home. In the North East, Sheffield Wednesday under Trevor Francis faced Newcastle at St James' Park, in a match that finished 4-2 to the newly promoted side. Cole scored twice for Newcastle, while Andy Sinton who joined the Owls from QPR netted two himself, showcasing his skills. Gavin Peacock was on target during two significant matches on September 11th and March 5th, as his two impressive goals played a critical role in enabling Chelsea to inflict a league double over Manchester United, both at Stamford Bridge and at Old Trafford. On October 3rd, Tottenham came from behind to beat Everton 3-2 at White Hart Lane, with Darren Caskey grabbing the winner. December 18th saw both North London sides in action just before Christmas as Liverpool visited White Hart Lane and drew 3-3 with Spurs while Arsenal travelled north to take on Leeds , however Leeds’ captain Gary McAllister’s first half goal and an own goal by Adams, sandwiched between a Kevin Campbell equaliser saw the Gunners leave West Yorkshire pointless.

January 4th 1994 saw Sky Sports’ cameras travel to Merseyside, where two of English football’s leading powerhouses faced off in a riveting match at Anfield. In this exciting encounter, Liverpool welcomed their long-standing rivals, Manchester United, for an electric showdown that promised high stakes and intense competition in the heart of North West England. United dominated early in the game, with three first-half goals. Captain Steve Bruce scored with help from Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs added another, and Denis Irwin finished with a precise free kick that beat Bruce Grobbelar. However, Nigel Clough played a pivotal role in facilitating a Liverpool comeback, netting two goals - both coming before first half injury time, complemented by a injury time leveller from new signing Neil Ruddock, who had just joined the squad from Tottenham Hotspur. Efan Ekoku made history as the first player in the Premiership to score 4 goals in one match, achieving this against Everton. Glenn Hoddle faced his former club Spurs, as Chelsea won the match by 4-3 at Stamford Bridge, extending their unbeaten run over their capital city rivals.

Another team who were also involved heavily in the 93-94 campaign were Blackburn Rovers, a squad known for their determination and grit. They fought hard against United, with the first meeting ending in a thrilling 1-1 draw, courtesy of Paul Ince’s late equaliser. However, when the two sides met again at Ewood Park, Shearer whose first Premier League season was cut short to injury was on target twice, and his impressive double proved to be more than enough to secure a memorable victory over the defending champions.In the second-to-last week of the season, on Monday, May 2nd, Blackburn traveled to the West Midlands with a crucial task ahead. They had to secure a victory against Coventry at Highfield Road in order to keep their hopes alive for the Premiership title. A win for the East Lancashire side would have ensured that the title race remained open right up to the final weekend, adding immense excitement and tension. Despite a goal from left fullback Graeme Le Saux, Blackburn ultimately suffered a 2-1 defeat with Julian Darby scoring a brace for the Sky Blues. This result, broadcast live on Sky Sports’ Ford Monday Night Football, confirmed that the Carling Premiership trophy would stay in Manchester for yet another year. Meanwhile, in the FA Cup final, Chelsea and United met once again for the third time, but the Premiership champions took their revenge - United defeating Chelsea decisively with a 4-0 scoreline.

Swindon were the first team to be relegated and also made unwanted history as the first Premiership team to concede 100 goals in 42 league matches, this record would be surpassed three decades later, Oldham Athletic, who narrowly avoided relegation by beating Aston Villa 1-0 the previous season, drew 1-1 at Norwich, confirming their drop to First Division. This came after a 2-0 home loss to Spurs on May 5, which ensured the north London club’s survival after their struggles. The intense battle to avoid the third and final relegation spot in the league went down to the wire on May 7th between Merseyside, East Anglia and South Yorkshire, as Everton, Ipswich and Sheffield United emerged as the final two teams desperately seeking to avoid the dreaded drop into the lower division. All three teams fought hard, showcasing their determination to maintain their status among the elite., Everton were two goals behind at home to Wimbledon but came back to win 3-2 at Goodison Park. This win secured their place in the top league, keeping their run since 1954 alive. If they had lost, their 40-year stay in the top division would have ended - while Ipswich Town, who found themselves winless in their last 11 matches leading up to the final weekend of the season, drew 0-0 at Ewood Park.

Despite the draw, Ipswich would have been automatically relegated if Sheffield United managed to avoid defeat in their crucial away match at Chelsea. A win or even a draw for the Blades at Stamford Bridge would have virtually guaranteed Premier League safety . On the weekend of May 7th, The Blades were four places clear of the relegation zone and started their bid to stay up energetically, Jostein Flo scored early to give them the lead in the first half. The second half saw four more goals. Jakob Kjeldbjerg equalized for Chelsea at 1-1, but Glyn Hodges restored United’s lead in the 59th minute. 17 minutes later Mark Stein levelled the score to make it 2-2. With a minute of injury time left, Sheffield United seemed moments from safety and Ipswich were seconds away from being dumped out. but at the very end. One final twist came as the fifth and final goal in the contest was scored - by Stein securing a 3-2 win for Chelsea. This result saw Ipswich retain their place in the Premier League and Sheffield United lose theirs - ending their four-year run in the top league - with Sheffield Wednesday as the only South Yorkshire team remaining.

In the Endsleigh First Division, a year after both clubs exited the prestigious first season of the F.A. Premier League, Crystal Palace returned triumphantly, promoted as champions. This remarkable achievement was led by Alan Smith - the assistant to the legendary Steve Coppell, who took over at the start of the season and skillfully guided the south London side back to the top flight at the very first attempt. During this campaign, defensive midfielder Gareth Southgate became captain after central defender Andy Thorn left and notably, Chris Armstrong scored an impressive total of 24 goals, 22 of which were notched in the First Division alone. Nottingham Forest, who went down alongside Palace in 1993, also made a successful return, securing promotion in second place under the direction of their new manager and former player Frank Clark, who was appointed to lead the team after the retirement of the iconic Brian Clough. In addition, there were to be two representatives from the same region for the following season as Leicester City ended their lengthy 7-year absence from top-flight football by winning the crucial First Division Playoff final against fellow East Midlands rivals Derby County 2-1.

1994/1995 - F.A. Carling Premiership [Klinsmann joins Spurs; Forest, Palace return; Foxes debut; Cole moves to Old Trafford, Blackburn’s S.A.S unseat United to clinch 1995 title; Everton win FA Cup.

The third season of the F.A. Carling Premiership was notable for many teams. Crystal Palace returned as champions of the Endsleigh First Division, with Nottingham Forest in second place. Leicester City under Brian Little also made a comeback to the top-flight after a 7-year absence. Tottenham Hotspur, who narrowly survived relegation last time out, started the new season with German star Jurgen Klinsmann. He made his debut with both a goal and a memorable diving celebration to match as Spurs won a thrilling 4-3 match at Hillsborough on opening day. They would go on to finish in 7th place, and finish above their North London neighbours for the second time in three seasons.

Liverpool who had been in disarray out of sorts in the first two seasons of the top-flight, finally started to click into gear, this time under the managerialship of Roy Evans. the Reds made a better start, with an opening day crushing of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park with Ian Rush and Steve McManaman netting twice, On the August 28th edition of Ford Escort Super Sunday , as the new Kop stand at Anfield was nearing completion, a homegrown academy product who introduced himself almost a year earlier, started 1994-95 with a bang as Toxteth-born Robbie Fowler struck what was then the fastest ever Premier League hat trick against Arsenal, with two of his three goals coming off his trademark left foot.

Arsenal, just two seasons after achieving a remarkable FA and League Cup double in 1993, endured what would become their worst ever season in club history. They made a dismal start to the 1994-95 season, registering their poorest performance since they won the First Division title back in 1953 - 41 years earlier. Losing four of their opening five matches, the Gunners faced challenging outings, including defeats away in the North of England at Elland Road and Hillsborough. In the capital, they suffered significant misery at their home ground, Highbury, where three of London’s six clubs - Crystal Palace, QPR, and West Ham achieved historic away wins. They also lost at White Hart Lane in the North London derby on January 2nd and once more on the season's last day, they lost to Chelsea, their second defeat at Stamford Bridge since March 1, 1993 when Graham Stuart scored the winner. Ultimately, the Gunners would finish in a disappointing 12th place, their worst top-flight finish in 19 years, since 1976. To compound their struggles significantly, the Gunners suffered a notorious giant-killing in the FA Cup at the hands of Millwall, with the Lions winning 2-0 at Highbury, having won the previous fixture at The New Den the previous season. They also lost the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final, where former Spurs player Nayim scored a memorable goal over their goalkeeper, David Seaman, making a tough season even worse.

George Graham, Arsenal’s most successful manager who had been at the helm since 1986, was also in the spotlight for the wrong reasons and was later found guilty of accepting unsolicited money related to the signings of John Jensen and Pal Lydersen who were signed two years earlier, costing him his job in February 1995 with a 12-month suspension imposed by the FA shortly thereafter. Nottingham Forest had a memorable season back in the Premier League, as they avoided relegation to book a second season among the elite, under the managerial ship of Frank Clark and guided on the pitch by skipper Stuart Pearce as usual, their best moments also included a 5 goal thriller at home to QPR in early October, with Stan Collymore scoring a memorable goal to wrap up victory and what was then the Premiership’s biggest away victory was recorded on April 1, 1995 as the Tricky Trees massacred Sheffield Wednesday 7-1.

In the Midlands, two seasons after coming close to winning the first ever Premier League trophy, Aston Villa started another bad season that saw Ron Atkinson sacked. Brian Little left Leicester to manage Villa with Mark McGhee filling the Filbert Street dugout. Newcastle who finished in the top Blackburn who narrowly missed out on the top prize a year earlier following defeat at Coventry on the penultimate week of last season, would finally come out on top as they made an excellent start to the season, with a couple of new faces joining the team, after Kevin Moran's retirement as captain at the end of last season, Tim Sherwood took over the role. Chris Sutton moved to East Lancashire from Norwich to join Kenny Dalglish’s team forming the deadly SAS duo alongside Alan Shearer with both of them netting respective goal contributions, Shearer smashed 34 with Sutton scoring 15.

Andy Cole, who netted 34 goals last season, impressed Alex Ferguson and was signed by Manchester United on January 14th, with Kevin Keegan facilitating the transfer, However despite Cole’s shock move west to Old Trafford, Newcastle fans were unhappy to see their star player leave and vented their anger towards the Newcastle boss. A week later on January 25th, United’s title defence would face a very serious and profounding setback and one which would ultimately cost them in the following weeks as their influential figurehead at the heart of United’s goals - Eric Cantona who was sent off during the 1-1 draw against Palace at Selhurst Park, was found guilty of attacking a Crystal Palace supporter two days later - [the fan was later found guilty of racism and provocation and banned for life.], this lead to an 8-month suspension for the France international that would extend into the first two months of the following season. Despite the setback, United pushed Blackburn in the title race, with Andy Cole now tasked with supplying the goods in Cantona’s absence and the first of his many goals came in a 9-0 rout of Ipswich, where Cole scored 5 of the 9 - the match on March 4 was the Premiership’s biggest scoreline. This score would be matched 20 years later.

The two North West teams were only one point apart before the final week on May 14. Shearer put Blackburn ahead at Anfield, but John Barnes quickly equalised for Liverpool. Meanwhile, Michael Hughes scored for West Ham, with Brian McClair equalizing for United soon after. With both matches remaining deadlocked at 1-1, it wasn’t until deep into injury time that Jamie Redknapp expertly struck a free-kick past Tim Flowers. This stunning goal clinched a 2-1 victory for Liverpool, despite Blackburn’s defeat on Merseyside. United's failure to secure a win in East London ultimately ensured that Blackburn unseated the defending champions, allowing them to claim their first top division title since the year 1914. 81 years earlier. After successfully avoiding relegation once again, Everton also added further pain to United as Paul Rideout’s decisive goal secured the prestigious FA Cup for the Toffees. In a significant shift, the English top-flight division was to be reduced from 22 teams to just 20 in order to comply with the stringent FIFA regulations, which would come into effect for the following season. The four clubs that faced relegation and were ultimately demoted were newly-promoted Leicester with the East Anglia pair also going down. First Division champions Crystal Palace also fell back into the Football League.

1995/1996 - F.A. Carling Premiership [Bergkamp joins Arsenal. the start of Class of 92’, Cantona's return. Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle epic. City, QPR, Bolton relegated.]

The 1995-1996 season began a new era in the Carling Premiership, with players from around the world joining teams in the North West, North East, Yorkshire, West and East Midlands, the South, and London. Middlesbrough returned after 2 years, this time under the management of ex-Man United skipper Bryan Robson, and Bolton Wanderers debuted in the top flight.

David Ginola and Faustino Asprilla left France and Italy for Tyneside to join Newcastle, Les Ferdinand also moved to St James’ Park from Loftus Road.. In the North West, a big shake-up took hold at Old Trafford where Paul Ince, Andrei Kanchelskis, and Mark Hughes, who helped win the first two titles, all went to different teams. Ince joined Inter Milan, Kanchelskis moved to Everton, and Hughes left Manchester for Chelsea. Gary and Phil Neville - who appeared in parts of the previous season were promoted to the senior squad, with Gary debuting in the final 1-1 draw against West Ham. Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and David Beckham, who all debuted in parts of 1994-95 , were also included.

Stan Collymore left the City Ground as Liverpool brought him to Anfield to team up with Robbie Fowler. In the capital city, Two Dutch players settled in their new residencies. Ruud Gullit, another Serie A star, was signed by Hoddle at Stamford Bridge, while Dennis Bergkamp left Inter Milan for Arsenal, ending a disappointing two seasons at the San Siro. The biggest news at Old Trafford this season was Eric Cantona's return after being away from football for eight months following his controversial end to 1994-95. His 8-month exile ended on September 30th, and the France international started the next day assisting Butt, who scored his first Premier League goal for United, then scoring a second-half penalty to secure United a draw against Liverpool.

The 1995-96 season also marked the beginning of a three-way fight for the Premiership title as United, Liverpool and Newcastle United all went head to head, with Kevin Keegan eager to end the Toon Army’s 69-year wait for silverware. Aston Villa emerged as possible title contenders early in the season for the first time since 1992, while Boro’s early promise saw them occupy fourth place in late October. However the Teessiders league form slumped which would lead them to 12th-place. December 17th, saw Liverpool and United meet again - this time at Anfield where Fowler who was on target twice at Old Trafford was on target again as Peter Schmeichel and his side were beaten 2-0. Most of the campaign was a two-horse race between the two United sides as they locked horns on December 27, with Newcastle heading the Premiership with a 10-point advantage, A 2–0 home win for United at Old Trafford cut the gap to seven points, and two days later they beat QPR 2–1 to reduce the gap to 4. However on New Years Day 1996, Tottenham Hotspur handed Alex Ferguson’s team a 4–1 defeat which was followed up by a 0–0 draw with Aston Villa, allowing Newcastle to establish a 12-point lead in January.

When Newcastle and Man United met again on Sky Sports’ Ford Escort Monday Night Football on March 4th, Cantona’s goal at St James’ Park cut Newcastle’s lead to one point with Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on March 3 - a day earlier - kept up the pressure on both teams. The biggest match of the season, later called the greatest in Premier League history followed on April 3rd. Sky Sports’ Ford Football Special returned to Anfield where Liverpool and Newcastle faced off in an epic battle that would decide who would stay in the title hunt alongside Man United, the explosive encounter saw seven goals scored. Robbie Fowler got things started for Liverpool with his first, Les Ferdinand equalized minutes later, then David Ginola put Newcastle ahead.. In the second half Fowler produced a low drive screamer in the Kop end to bring Liverpool back into the contest before Asprilla put the Tynesiders back into the lead, but Collymore provided what proved to be the knockout blow for Newcastle as he struck twice past Pavel Srníček, condemning Newcastle to defeat by another title challenger for the second time in almost a month.

Following the slip-ups of both Newcastle and Liverpool, Man United reclaimed the Premiership trophy winning at Middlesbrough, this was followed up by more silverware for Alex Ferguson as Cantona signed off a perfect comeback year with the only goal of the game in the all North-West FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley, giving United another Premiership and FA Cup double since 1994. Blackburn - the defending champions finished in a lowly 7th place with their attacking strike force to be dismantled in the summer.

On May 5th, the fate of the three relegation places for the teams occupying them was finally sealed, marking a decisive moment in the season. This time, those spots were filled by teams from the North West again for the second time since 1994, in London for the second year in a row, and third time overall since 1993., bringing significant changes to the league's composition. Bolton finished in bottom place, meaning they would face relegation but would return two seasons later. A defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on the final weekend confirmed that Manchester would only have one representative in the league instead of two, as Man City followed in second place, remaining outside of the Premiership until 2000-01. City’s relegation confirmed Coventry and Southampton’s respective survival on goal difference. Despite a convincing 3-0 victory over West Ham, Queens Park Rangers’s 4-year Premier League run and 13 years in the top division since 1983 ended, with First Division football to follow next season. This marked a significant moment in Premier League history, as a familiar club had to face the challenge of life outside the top flight once again until 2011.

Joining the 17 teams for the 1996-1997 season were newcomers Sunderland which would make it the first time that the North East would feature all three of the representatives together since 1977, Leicester City were promoted back to the Premiership after their previous appearance in 1994-1995 and fellow East Midlands rivals Derby County would also make their bow in the top flight.

1996/1997 - F.A. Carling Premiership / Nationwide Division 1 [Cantona’s last Old Trafford season, United’s 4th title, Leicester’s return, Derby and Sunderland debut, Forest and Boro relegated.]

1997/1998 - F.A. Carling Premiership / Nationwide Division 1 - [Wright’s last season at Arsenal, Gunners at the Double in 1998, Forest and Boro return, Mendonca takes Charlton to the big time].

In season six, Manchester United, after winning their 4th title, aimed to defend it and win three years in a row. but for the second time, faced strong competition from Arsenal, who this time overhauled the champions to win the Premiership title under manager Arsene Wenger. This was Wenger’s first full season proper with Arsenal since his appointment on September 30th 1996, it was also Arsenal's first league title since the 1990-1991 First Division season, a championship they secured and which was further highlighted by an impressive FA Cup final victory against Newcastle United. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the club's history, ending a long wait for major silverware.

The 1997-1998 season was also Ian Wright’s final campaign with Arsenal before he made a move to east London to join West Ham in the summer of 1998. The highly talented forward hailing from Brockley, a vibrant area in south east London, joined the Gunners from south London outfit Crystal Palace in September 1991, Wright broke a long-standing club scoring record set by Cliff Bastin decades ago by scoring a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers on September 13, 1997. Bastin’s goal record stood at 178 goals, but Wright went on to surpass it, ultimately finishing with an impressive 185 goals during his seven-year tenure in north London.

Howard Kendall returned once again to Goodison Park to take charge of Everton as manager - 4 years after leaving in December 1993. Once again, the Merseysiders were struggling to stay in the top level of English football. Everton, who had last been relegated in 1951, had been a consistent presence in the top flight since 1954. During this particular season, the club found themselves enduring a very challenging and testing period. They narrowly escaped relegation on May 10th by securing a vital 1-1 draw against Coventry City. Dion Dublin scored for the West Midlands team just before injury time in the second half, cancelling out Gareth Farrelly’s important first-half opener for Everton. Had Coventry scored, Everton’s long-standing presence in the top division would have effectively ended, closing the chapter on an impressive 34-year streak of uninterrupted top-flight football.

Everton’s safety was firmly sealed by a scoreline from another match in London where Bolton Wanderers were relegated at Stamford Bridge, thanks to two goals scored by Gianluca Vialli and Jody Morris., the Trotters were the final team to join Barnsley and Crystal Palace who were also relegated straight back to the First Division after finishing as champions, runners up and playoff winners in the previous season [1996-1997] respectively. It was the second time that Bolton faced relegation from the F.A. Carling Premiership since their debut just two years earlier. In that same season, both Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers were also relegated alongside them. For Palace, the south London side had the distinction of being relegated three times in the past 5 years. Chelsea won the League Cup by beating Middlesbrough again. This was their second final against each other, after meeting in the FA Cup Final the previous season, where Roberto di Matteo scored the fastest goal ever in that match. After this, they also won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in August 1998, showing their strength in Europe.

In the Nationwide First Division, Bryan Robson’s Middlesbrough and Dave Bassett’s Nottingham Forest secured immediate promotions back to the Carling Premiership, showcasing strong performances throughout the season. However a new fairytale story took place at Wembley. May 25th, 1998, is a date that will forever be etched in the memories of Charlton Athletic fans. On this day, the south east London club, under the management of Alan Curbishley, triumphed in a thrilling and unforgettable First Division Playoff Final against Sunderland. After an astonishing match that ended 4-4 in regular time, the tension escalated into a nail-biting penalty shootout, where Charlton ultimately emerged victorious. One of the standout moments was the exceptional performance of the record signing, Clive Mendonca, who played a pivotal role by netting an impressive hat-trick, helping to secure this historic win for the club.

1998/1999 - F.A. Carling Premiership / Nationwide Division 1 [Addicks join the elite; Yorke and Cole help Man United win the 1999 Treble.]

Season 7 of the Premier League was memorable for the team that had long dominated the league. Led by Alex Ferguson, Manchester United faced a tough challenge from Arsenal, who became strong rivals and stopped United from winning a third straight title in 1998. This season also marked the arrival of three teams joining the previously established 17 for the campaign: returnees Nottingham Forest, who topped the First Division, along with Middlesbrough, who finished as runners-up, both of whom were original founding members of the new top-flight, and Charlton Athletic, crowned through the play-offs, thus becoming the 31st club to join this elite competition. 

Although Charlton started on a high note with a resounding 5-0 victory over Southampton, placing them at the top of the table during the first weeks of the new season in August, their league performances and results took a sharp downturn shortly thereafter in the autumn. After an impressive win against West Ham on October 24, Charlton experienced an alarming stretch of form, enduring 8 consecutive losses over Christmas 1998 and the start of 1999. Although they secured a draw against Newcastle, coupled with home victories over Wimbledon and Liverpool, along with a vital away win against Aston Villa in early May. A 1-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday saw Charlton fall back in to the First Division after one year. 

Forest made their own mark in this season's narrative by becoming the first original member of the FA Premier League to experience promotion and relegation three times with defeat at Villa Park, adding to their historical significance. Meanwhile, Blackburn, who had been crowned champions just four years earlier in 1995, breaking United’s stranglehold of the division were ultimately relegated following a disappointing home draw against their North West rivals, this after Leeds beat Arsenal 24 hours earlier, leaving the 1998 champions needing a last day miracle over Aston Villa and hoping their north London rivals Tottenham could stop United from winning on the final day of the season, despite a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, Les Ferdinand’s goal at Old Trafford, which gave Spurs the lead, was cancelled out by David Beckham and later by former Arsenal player - Andy Cole who scored the winning goal for his current team and preventing his old one from keeping the title.

Dwight Yorke was enlisted from Aston Villa and teamed up with Cole, as United’s new deadly duo struck 18 and 17 league goals between them [53 overall] to take United to the title. Along with the FA Cup, secured by Paul Scholes and Teddy Sheringham’s strikes at Wembley and a remarkable 2-1 comeback over FC Bayern Munich masterminded by Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final saw United produce a historic treble.  This season was also the last season that Peter Schmeichel would feature for Manchester United, marking the end of an era that began when he first joined the club back in 1991. The Denmark international had built a huge reputation over the years for producing a remarkable number of high-quality, trademark saves and consistently keeping clean sheets, greatly contributing to the success of the Manchester club. In his final appearance for United, he had the honour of captaining the team during the UEFA Champions League final, a fitting conclusion to his illustrious career at Old Trafford. After leaving the North West, Schmeichel returned to the Premier League in 2001 to play for Aston Villa, then joined Manchester City the next season, before retiring in 2003.

Arsenal secured a strong second-place finish, ensuring their qualification for the Champions League once again. Their London rivals, Chelsea, also earned a spot in the competition by finishing in third place. Throughout the season, Chelsea posed a significant challenge to both Arsenal and Manchester United in the title race, maintaining pressure on the top teams for much of the campaign, even briefly topping the Premiership table for the very first time in 1998. Sunderland won the 1998-1999 First Division title, and Bradford City and Watford became the 32nd and 33rd teams for the 1999-2000 season.

1999/2000 - F.A. Carling Premiership / Nationwide Division 1 [Leeds compete for PL title - qualify for UCL, United retain Premiership crown again, Bradford, Watford 'Sunderland promoted; The Dons, Wednesday, Watford go down. Charlton, Man City, Ipswich bounce back.]

In Season 8, the top two teams faced off once again, with Leeds United emerging as new and strong contenders. Sky Sports returned to Islington, North London on August 22, 1999, where Arsenal and Man United locked horns in another thrilling encounter at Highbury. Freddie Ljungberg put the Gunners ahead at half time with a well-taken goal, but a second-half double from United’s captain, Roy Keane, who also led the Republic of Ireland team, saw Manchester United overturn Arsenal’s lead. This victory marked United’s first win at Highbury since February 19, 1997, Ending Arsenal’s unbeaten home streak of over two years. The return match at Old Trafford on January 24, 2000, ended in a draw. Teddy Sheringham earned a key point for United after Ljungberg scored for Arsenal.

Leeds sought their first title since the old Football League’s last season in 1992. Despite a tough competition, Leeds’s title hopes ended in April after losses to Chelsea and Arsenal at Elland Road.. The club faced deep grief during the month when two supporters were tragically killed before the game against Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup. Tensions between England and Turkey were fueled even further on the day of the final on May 17 as Arsenal and Galatasaray fans clashed before, during, and after the final in Copenhagen, Denmark, which Galatasaray won on penalties. Despite missing out on the title and what followed onwards - The Whites ended the season well by finishing 3rd in the Premiership standings and qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League, a competition they last featured in 8 years earlier. their Pennine rivals Liverpool finished fourth under Gerard Houllier, missing the competition and settling for the UEFA Cup after a 1-0 loss at Valley Parade., David Wetherall, former Leeds centreback, scored the sole goal to secure Bradford City's safety.

Chelsea debuted in the UEFA Champions League, defeating the likes of Feyenoord and Barcelona before elimination followed in March. They ended the season positively by winning the FA Cup, beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the at the old Wembley. In his last season before joining Celtic in Scotland, Martin O’Neill guided Leicester to victory in the League Cup against Tranmere, it was the East Midlands side’s second third appearance in the final, having lost the previous season to Spurs and it was their second title since 1997. Meanwhile, Sunderland, returning to the top flight after relegation in 1997, as First Division champions, successfully stayed up under Peter Reid.

Watford, the 33rd newest club who joined the Premiership, went down after one season. Managed by Graham Taylor, they had a hard time even though they beat Liverpool early in the season. Their top-flight stay came to an end in April after Thierry Henry scored a late winner at Vicarage Road, coupled by a John Dreyer goal for Bradford in an important game which sealed their fate and gave the Bantams hope. After Danny Wilson was sacked from Hillsborough in March, Sheffield Wednesday were leading 3-0 at Highbury, hoping to secure their survival in the top-flight, but again Henry was on target as his goal for Arsenal to draw the match 3-3 and condemn the South Yorkshire side to the First Division, ending their top-flight continuity since 1986. and marking their first relegation since Oldham Athletic and Sheffield United on May 7, 1994—six years earlier. On May 14, 2000, exactly 12 years to the day after shocking Liverpool to win the FA Cup in 1988, Wimbledon’s Premier League journey came to an end after losing 2-0 away at Southampton. Wayne Bridge and Marian Pahars were both on target to end a remarkable 14 years of dedicated top-flight representation for the London side.

For the sixth time in 8 seasons, the FA Carling Premiership trophy stayed at Old Trafford on May 6 as Sir Alex Ferguson’s team won the title with a 3-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur. This was almost a year since their last meeting on the final day of the previous season, where David Beckham scored a top goal with his signature right-footed curler. 1 year after their maiden appearance, Alan Curbishley inspired Charlton Athletic to the First Division title, the Addicks bounced back in style after their relegation a year earlier and they would also be joined by two more representatives for the following season as Manchester would have two clubs back in the top-flight together as 4-year absence of Premiership football ended at Ewood Park with Joe Royle finally steering City back to the big time runners-up. and George Burley’s Ipswich Town at the third time of asking, finally secured promotion back to the F.A. Carling Premiership after 5 years away, as Dave Basset’s Barnsley were crushed 4-2 at Wembley with goals from new Huddersfield Town signing Marcus Stewart and Dutch international Martijn Reuser.

2000/2001 - F.A. Carling Premiership [Final year of Carling sponsorship 1993-2001, Charlton, City, Ipswich return; Eriksson takes over at Wembley, Houllier guides Reds to treble; United make it three in a row].

In season 9, Carling’s final year as title sponsor, three teams returned to the top league: First Division champions Charlton, second-place Manchester City, and playoff winners Ipswich after absences of 1, 4, and 5 years. Before and during the 2000-01 season, three tragic football-related deaths affected clubs in North West England, West Yorkshire, and London. Jack Walker, Blackburn Rovers’ key investor behind their first league title in 81 years, passed away. Pierre Bolangi, a promising Charlton player, drowned, shocking the club and fans. David Rocastle, a skilled midfielder for Arsenal, Leeds, Man City and Chelsea, died on March 31, 2001, the day of the second North London derby. Their contributions left a lasting impact on English football and its fans.

Several manager changes happened in nine months. Paul Jewell left Bradford after avoiding relegation to join Sheffield Wednesday; Chris Hutchings replaced him but was fired in November for poor results. In September, after a mixed start, Gianluca Vialli left Chelsea, and Claudio Ranieri became the new manager. Glenn Hoddle was to return to London in 2001 to manage Tottenham after George Graham’s dismissal, with Stuart Gray replacing him as manager. At the season's end, Joe Royle left Manchester City after nearly three years, and Harry Redknapp left West Ham after seven years, replaced by Glenn Roeder. Bryan Robson, struggling at Middlesbrough, was helped by Terry Venables before Steve McLaren, Alex Ferguson’s assistant, took over. Jim Jeffries swapped the Scottish Premier League to fill the manager’s hotseat at Bradford, and Martin O’Neill left Leicester for Celtic; Peter Taylor became Leicester’s new boss.

Kevin Keegan resigned as England manager after Euro 2000 failure and loss to Germany at old Wembley before its October 6 demolition. The England job was left vacant until October 30, 2000, when Sven Goran Eriksson became the first foreign manager of the national side. He started officially work three months later on January 12, 2001, after leaving Lazio. Eriksson would lead England until 2006, His first full game was a 3-0 friendly win against Spain on February 28th.

Gerard Houllier led Liverpool to Worthington Cup, FA Cup, and UEFA Cup wins, securing three trophies and third place for the Champions League. They also completed a double over Charlton before Leeds beat Leicester 3-1. The 2001 UEFA Super Cup added to their quadruple three months after the end of the season. Liverpool's highlights included a win over Derby County on October 15th, with Emile Heskey scoring a hat-trick and Patrik Berger adding a goal. The club also achieved two league doubles over long-standing arch-rival Manchester United and local rivals Everton , including their first Premier League win at Old Trafford in 10 years, with Danny Murphy on the scoresheet, and Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler on target in the Anfield return fixture on March 31. The influential midfield maestro Gary McAllister, who joined Liverpool this season, secured the much-coveted Merseyside bragging rights for his team. The Scottish international and former Leeds captain scored a classic 44-yard free kick at Goodison Park, helping Liverpool win a exciting 3-2 game against their local rivals.

Chelsea started the season well, winning the Charity Shield against the champions and then beating West Ham 4-2 at home on the opening day [August 19]. But after a shock loss to Bradford and a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, Vialli was replaced by Ranieri after two and a half years at the helm. The Blues lost twice in the league to Sunderland, Leicester, and Charlton. They recovered by beating West Ham on March 7, and won twice against Manchester City, Derby County, and Spurs, maintaining their supremacy over their bitter rivals. They finished 6th, qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Key players included record signing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who scored 23 goals in 35 games, and the experienced Gianfranco Zola, who scored 9 goals and created many chances. Leeds United, in their 9th top-flight season, competed in the UEFA Champions League, facing tough teams like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. They drew one match and narrowly lost another, showing resilience. Despite challenges, they won key games and reached the semi-finals, a historic European milestone for the club. Domestically, Leeds excelled, notably beating rivals Liverpool twice in the Premiership. New signing Mark Viduka scored four goals in a 4-3 win at Elland Road on November 4, becoming the second player to do so in a match. They then won 2-1 at Anfield in mid-April, with goals from new signing from new recruit from West Ham - Rio Ferdinand and Lee Bowyer. confirming Leeds' dominance in the rivalry that season.

On October 1st, the top four in the Premiership played each other. The North West’s top two went to the capital where Liverpool suffered more misery at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea inflicting another defeat on the Reds. In North London’s N5 - Thierry Henry’s spectacular finish over Fabien Barthez was decisive at Highbury, handing Sir Alex Ferguson’s team their first league defeat of the season. After those results, Leicester topped the Premiership for the first time with a 0-0 draw against Sunderland. They stayed in first place until October 14th, when a 3-0 home loss to the champions gave United the lead, which they kept. Despite a mixed season and a new manager in summer 2000, Leicester beat Chelsea twice on September 17 and February 3.

Manchester United won the title for the third year in a row. Their 36-game unbeaten run at home, which started in late 1998, ended with a loss to Liverpool. This loss came exactly five years after their last defeat to their regional rivals at Anfield on December 17, 1995. The team dropped early points but faced no serious challenge afterward, securing a crucial derby win over Man City on November 18th. David Beckham was the hero at Maine Road with a flawless free kick. Their campaign was supported by ex-player Bryan Robson and his Middlesbrough team, who beat Arsenal 3-0 at Highbury on April 14. On the same day, Coventry lost at Old Trafford, confirming the Premiership trophy would stay in the North West for a third straight time, with United matching records set by Huddersfield Town, Arsenal, and Liverpool in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1980s.

Arsene Wenger’s team who had been pursuing United from day one, saw their title bid severely wounded six weeks earlier in a highly anticipated live televised clash on Sky Sports’ Ford Super Sunday on February 25th. Thierry Henry was on target for the north Londoners again, but his goal was unfortunately not enough to prevent Dwight Yorke from scoring an impressive hat-trick. Additionally, with further strikes from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, captain Roy Keane, and Teddy Sheringham, United crushed the Gunners 6-1, their biggest Premiership win over their title rivals. They faced earlier losses in away matches across the North of England. on day one at the Stadium of Light, Niall Quinn scored in Sunderland's 1-0 win which saw Patrick Vieira sent off. At Goodison Park, where Everton secured a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Danny Cadamateri and ex-Gunners legend Kevin Campbell, a week later, on November 26, at Elland Road, Olivier Dacourt’s deflected freekick gave Leeds a narrow 1-0 triumph. On December 23rd at Anfield, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Nicky Barmby, and Robbie Fowler scored in a 4-0 Liverpool win on Sky Sports’ Ford Football Special. This followed the controversial August 21 match where referee Graham Poll sent off Vieira, Hamann, and McAllister, sparking outrage on both sides. That game ended 2-0 to Arsenal with goals from Henry and Lauren Bisan, giving Arsene Wenger his first win over Liverpool and Arsenal’s first home win against Liverpool since March 26, 1994 where Paul Merson was the last Arsenal player to score a winner in this fixture.

Ipswich, relegated in 1995, were expected to make an instant return to the First Division but instead finished a shocking 5th place, qualifying for the UEFA Cup (now Europa League), which they last won in the early 1980s under Sir Bobby Robson. Key highlights of their memorable season included a dramatic comeback draw against Man United, a result that stood in stark contrast to their humiliating 9-0 defeat at Old Trafford on March 4th, five years earlier which led to their subsequent relegation . They also earned another draw, this time against Arsenal, with record-signing from last season - Marcus Stewart from Huddersfield on target. A convincing 2-0 home win over fellow promoted side Charlton saw Stewart on target again, with skipper Matt Holland also scoring. The final weekend of December 2000 saw Ipswich’s top scorer along with Jamie Clapham, and Alun Armstrong on target in.a 3-0 victory over Spurs. Stewart, in particular, was in red hot, outstanding for the East Anglian side, scoring key goals in crucial matches throughout 2000-01, delivering a decisive winning goal at Anfield against Liverpool which secured Ipswich’s second triumph there since December 10, 1994 when George Burley officially was installed as manager. On April 2nd, Sky Sports cameras also saw Stewart record his first ever top-flight treble for the club against Southampton.

Alan Curbishley’s Charlton finished 9th, their best league finish since the 1950s, and remained in the Premier League. Key wins included beating Manchester City twice (August 19 and December 28), Chelsea twice (November 18 and April 21), and a 1-0 home win against Arsenal on New Years Day 2001 - helped by new signing Jonatan Johansson from Rangers.. This hard-fought win was the first of two victories Charlton would have over the Gunners in 2001, after a 5-3 away loss on August 26, 2000. The team played two exciting derby matches against their East London rivals, West Ham United. The first game, on Boxing Day at Upton Park, ended in a 5-0 win with goals from Trevor Sinclair, Frederic Kanoute, Frank Lampard, and Paolo di Canio. They met again on January 22, live on Sky Sports, in a 1-1 draw with Shaun Bartlett and Paolo di Canio scoring. Bartlett, a South African international on loan who later joined permanently, had a strong start, scoring two headers on his Premiership debut helped by assists from Graham Stuart and Radostin Kishishev with John Robinson also on the scoresheet in a 3-3 draw with Man United on December 9. Bartlett scored one of the greatest goals at the Valley with a long-range left-foot volley against Leicester on April 1, securing the win for the Addicks in a 2-0 home victory, live on Sky Sports.

Five clubs from five different regions fiercely battled throughout the season to avoid facing the disheartening prospect of relegation to the Nationwide First Division. Derby secured their spot with a second win at Old Trafford since 1997, Malcolm Christie scored the only goal, leading to their triumph. Middlesbrough as mentioned earlier sealed survival by winning their final games including at Arsenal. Defeat to Everton saw Bradford leave first - ending their involvement in the top flight after two seasons. Man City’s hopes of Premier League survival ended with a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich, ensuring another season in the First Division. The May 7 match on Sky Sports’ Ford Monday Night Football marked one year to the day since they secured promotion at Ewood Park. At Villa Park, after several close shaves with relegation, Coventry's luck finally ran out when Aston Villa scored the final goal through Paul Merson in the West Midlands derby, ending Coventry’s 34-year stay in the top division

In May 1997, Coventry narrowly avoided relegation after Middlesbrough lost points for missing a match due to illness. Had Middlesbrough beaten Blackburn, they would have stayed up, and Coventry, who won against Spurs on the final day, would have been relegated with Sunderland and Nottingham Forest. This event altered both clubs' histories. Southampton ended their time at The Dell with a win over Arsenal. Matt Le Tissier scored their last goal there, his final Premier League goal before retiring the next season. The team then moved to Friends Provident St Mary’s Stadium for the 2001-2002 season. Two fellow returnees from the North West would make their returns for the following year after 2 and 3 year absences, as both runner-up and playoff final finishes respectively were confirmed for Blackburn and Bolton, they would also be joined by the 33rd newest member to join the Premier League, Chelsea’s West End neighbours Fulham, who were crowned champions of the 2000-01 Nationwide First Division. 

2001/2002 - F.A. Barclaycard Premiership [10 Years of the Premier League, Gunners clinch Premiership and FA Cup double again since 1998.; Adams and Dixon’s last season at Highbury.]

After Carling's 8-year sponsorship of the FA Premier League ended, Barclays became the new sponsor in June 2001, with a deal lasting until 2016. From 2001-2002 to 2003-2004, the league was called the FA Barclaycard Premiership.. Sky Sports stayed the main broadcaster, while ITV got the highlights rights after BBC's Match of the Day.

As the season began, Manchester United entered their 10th season as defending champions, having won 7 titles in 9 years, including three consecutively since 1999. Strong rivals Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Arsenal aimed to challenge their dominance. Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a former Rangers player, replaced left-back Silvinho who left after 2 seasons. Sol Campbell controversially defected from White Hart Lane to Highbury to help bolster Arsenal’s defence. Meanwhile, Ajax's Ruud van Nistelrooy finally joined Manchester United after a previous injury held him back in mid-2000, eagerly taking the famous No. 10 shirt after Teddy Sheringham left for Spurs.

The top and bottom of the Premiership proved to be exceptionally eventful from the very first day as the leadership of the league changed hands several times, the first Ford Super Sunday on August 19th saw the defending Premiership champions face off against the First Division champions at Old Trafford where Louis Saha, top scorer the previous season for Fulham scored a brace on his maiden debut, before David Beckham got on the scoresheet with his trademark set-piece to draw the teams level. Van Nistelrooy also scoring twice to clinch the points. Everton and Liverpool each took turns to top the league table during the first two months of the season. Additionally, there were a number of very exciting and memorable matches that captivated fans and viewers alike, Charlton Athletic aimed to build on their 2000-01 success in their second season back and third overall after avoiding relegation., their highlights included a first ever league win at Highbury on November 4th, where they came from behind to beat Arsenal 4-2 with Claus Jensen scoring an iconic goal that will forever live in the memory of Addicks fans for years to come - this was a follow up from their previous win over Arsenal at home on New Years Day 2001. Charlton fans had more excitement as The Valley was the subject of Sky Sports’ Ford Monday Night Football cameras on November 19th to witness another East London derby clash. Charlton and West Ham last featured on the programme on January 22, where Shaun Bartlett and Paolo di Canio were on target in that meeting. Both teams competed strongly, each leading twice in an 8-goal game. New Addicks striker Jason Euell, formerly of Wimbledon, replaced the retired Andy Hunt at the start of the season and he along with last year’s top scorer Jonatan Johansson each scored twice.

Paul Kitson scored his second hat-trick for West Ham since 1997 against Sheffield Wednesday.. He helped Charlton get back to the Premiership during his loan spell and also scored for them on March 25, 2000, in the South East London derby against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Jermain Defoe, back at The Valley two years after his controversial exit to Upton Park that provoked widespread anger from within the football club over how it was conducted, added both further pain to his former employers and excitement to the contest with a remarkable half volley of his own.

On December 18, Newcastle ended their 29-game losing streak in London by beating Arsenal 3-1 at Highbury, their first win there since May 1997. At the same time, Manchester United, thought to be out of the title race having suffered defeats to Liverpool at Anfield on November 4 and Chelsea on December 1, bounced back with a 5-0 win over Derby during the Christmas and New Year period. At the start of 2002 - the title race became initially a five-then four way battle as Leeds kicked off January with a win over West Ham, in February, Southampton were the last team to take points from Arsenal as the north London side would go on a remarkable 13 game winning streak, Thierry Henry was in red hot form throughout the campaign coming up with the goods. In a rematch with Newcastle at St James’ Park on March 2, Dennis Bergkamp left both Arsenal and opposition fans mouths dropping with amazement as his spectacular 360 degree pirouette and finish clinched the points for the title chasers and was later voted one of the Premier League's best. Wins over London rivals - Chelsea, West Ham, Fulham , Charlton and Spurs on April 6 followed with a crucial 2-0 win at Bolton on April 29 on the penultimate Ford Monday Night Football match of the month, with goals from both Ljungberg and Sylvain Wiltord, positioned Arsenal favorably after Liverpool lost at White Hart Lane two days prior. This also took the Gunners to within three points of a second top-flight title under Arsene Wenger.

On May 8, in the penultimate week of the season, Arsenal played United at Old Trafford in a crucial match, where they lost on February 25th a year earlier. A draw would virtually see the Premiership trophy head to north London, for United (May 14, 1995 v West Ham - seven years prior), they simply had to win to keep their title hopes alive heading into the final weekend of May 11.. But four years after Marc Overmars scored past Schmeichel on March 14, 1998, Wiltord scored against Fabien Barthez, ending Manchester United’s three-year run and securing Arsenal’s Premiership title., complementing their FA Cup victory over Chelsea on May 4. This win was important because it happened as key players, captain Tony Adams and full-back Lee Dixon, were about to retire after 19 and 14 year associations with Arsenal. They were the main part of Arsenal's famous Back 4 in the late 1980s under George Graham, along with Martin Keown and former teammates Nigel Winterburn [West Ham] and Steve Bould [Sunderland].Fulham, Blackburn, and Bolton, promoted from last season, maintained their league status in following years.

Man City, relegated a year before, promptly won the First Division under Kevin Keegan and returned to the top league with runners-up West Bromwich Albion and play-off winners Birmingham City, with the West Midlands featuring three teams from the following season. Ipswich, who relegated Man City a year earlier on the final day of 2000-01, qualified for the UEFA Cup by finishing 5th but this time, they were relegated after two years. They lost to Liverpool 11-0 on aggregate, including a 6-0 home defeat and 5-0 away loss at Anfield - where they last won the previous December [2000]. This series of disappointing results ultimately sealed the Suffolk side’s fate. They became the third and final team to be relegated, following the East Midlands pair, Derby and Leicester, who exited the Premier League after their respective six-year stays at the top level.

2007/2008 - Barclays Premier League [United clinch 10th title and 3rd European Cup in all English affair.; Rams produce unwanted PL record].

The 2007-08 campaign, which was the first under the newly renamed Barclays Premier League, proved to be yet another year of significant success for Manchester United, both domestically at home and in Europe. They celebrated the triumph of securing their 10th Premier League title, alongside their hard-fought 3rd European crown in an all-English UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea, held in Moscow. This victory came just a year after the FA Cup final took place at the new Wembley, and it was a notable 13 years following United's impressive 4-0 victory over the Blues in the memorable season during which United experienced defeats against Chelsea both at home and away in September 1993 and March 1994.

In a contrasting narrative, Derby County marked their return to the Premier League following their last appearance in the top-flight, which had ended after their first tenure from 1996 to 2002. However, they etched their name in the record books by becoming the first and only side in the history of the Premier League to be relegated while accumulating the lowest points ever recorded in a single season, totaling just 11. This unfortunate outcome was compounded by their historic early relegation in March 2008, occurring two months prior to the conclusion of the season. This record would be surpassed 17 years later. Additionally Birmingham City and Reading, who had been promoted just one season earlier, also faced the disappointment of exiting the league.

2008/2009 - Barclays Premier League [Stoke and Hull reach top level. Tyne-Tees teams relegated]

The 2008/09 season proved to be yet another remarkable and record-breaking year for the defending champions Manchester United, as the coveted title once again remained in the North West region of England. This achievement was particularly significant, even though the team experienced the disappointment of losing the prestigious UEFA Champions League crown to Barcelona in a closely contested final held in Rome in May. In domestic competitions, Chelsea emerged victorious, winning the FA Cup at Wembley for the second time in just three years at the New Wembley, this time overcoming a determined Everton in the final.

Despite their defeat FA Cup, the Toffees achieved the distinction of being one of three teams outside of the traditional top four to automatically qualify for the newly-renamed UEFA Europa League, joining Aston Villa and Fulham in this endeavour. On the domestic front, the 2008-09 season marked the second time in 12 years that two of the three teams from the same region [North East of England] faced relegation to the EFL Championship, as Newcastle United - for the first time and Middlesbrough - the second, saw their 16 and 10 year stays in the Premier League came to an end. West Brom completed the relegation trio.

Conversely, Hull City and Stoke City, both of whom were newly promoted to the highly competitive Barclays Premier League, successfully managed to retain their hard-won status in the top division, despite having suffered losses in their respective final home matches on the penultimate day of the season. The West Midlands side, with its spirited performances, would continue to remain a member of the top-flight league until 2018, contributing to the rich tapestry of English football during those years.

2013/2014 - Barclays Premier League [The Special One returns, Palace bounce back, Gerrard and Liverpool stunned at Selhurst, Pellegrini wins City 2nd title, Fulham relegated after 12 years.]

The 2013/2014 season brought three significant changes in English football, particularly impacting the North West and London regions. David Moyes made a high-profile move from Everton to Manchester United, stepping in to replace the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, who had retired after an extraordinary and highly successful tenure spanning over two decades. Additionally, the Barclays Premier League welcomed a fresh face as Cardiff City made their debut in the top flight, marking an important milestone and their arrival on the big stage of English football. Despite the initial excitement and high expectations, Manchester United struggled to find consistent form throughout the campaign, which ultimately allowed their local rivals, Manchester City, under the astute management of Manuel Pellegrini, to clinch the Premier League title once again—a disappointing outcome that eventually cost Moyes his job.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho made a highly anticipated return to Chelsea after a gap of seven years, successfully steering the team to secure a place in the top four, a campaign highlighted by a significant and memorable victory at Anfield. Crystal Palace, having been promoted back to the top flight after an absence of nine years, staged an astonishing comeback from a 3-0 deficit to earn a draw against Liverpool, a result that not only cemented their Premier League status for the following season but also dashed the title hopes of the Merseysiders. Meanwhile, Cardiff City’s remarkable and inspiring fairytale season came to an end with their immediate relegation back to the Championship. After spending 11 consecutive years competing in the Premier League following their promotion to the top level in the 2001-2002 season, Fulham were ultimately relegated.

2014/15 Barclays Premier League [Drogba, Fabregas, and Costa lead Chelsea to 4th PL title.; Leicester, QPR and Hull return to the top flight].

The 2014-2015 season was another memorable year for Chelsea. It marked ten years since their first title in this league, their second overall after their 1955 title in the First Division. Jose Mourinho returned to the club, looking to both new and familiar players to help Chelsea win the title. The Blues signed forward Diego Costa and left-back Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid, as well as midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal and Barcelona. Didier Drogba also returned two years after leading the team to Champions League victory. All four, along with the rest of the squad, aimed to bring the title back to the West End.

The club maintained its top position throughout the season, finishing with three losses, including a thrilling 5-3 against capital city rivals Spurs at White Hart Lane. winning 26 matches and drawing 9, securing the title 12 points ahead of Arsenal and 2 clear of second-placed Manchester City. The SW6 outfit also won the EFL Cup, defeating Spurs in a rematch against the two London rivals in the 2008 edition, which the N17 side won.

Returning to the league this season were Leicester City, marking their return 11 years after their last appearance, as well as Burnley after a four-year absence, and Queens Park Rangers, who rejoined in 2011 but were relegated in 2013. They replaced Norwich, Fulham, and Cardiff, who had faced relegation after 3 years, 13 years, and a 12-month spell in the top tier, respectively. Leicester, despite struggling in the campaign, ultimately did enough to secure their place and finish 14th under ex-Middlesbrough skipper Nigel Pearson, positioning themselves ahead of the following season, which would remarkably change their fortunes for the better. Unfortunately, QPR and Hull City again faced the disappointment of folding back to the Championship after just one season in the Barclays Premier League.

2015/16 Barclays Premier League [Barclays ends PL sponsorship, Mourinho quits Chelsea, Blues miss top 4, Ranieri leads Foxes to shock PL win, Farewell Upton Park, Aston Villa exit the Premier League.].

The 2015-2016 Barclays Premier League season was truly remarkable and historic, as Leicester City, a team that had narrowly avoided relegation the previous year, defied all expectations to become the unexpected champions. No one had predicted their triumph, with bookmakers offering staggering odds of 500 to 1 against them, but under the astute leadership and tactical expertise of former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri, they managed to achieve this astonishing and surprising victory. One pivotal moment in their campaign was their hard-fought win against Chelsea on December 14, a match widely noted for its sheer intensity and competitive spirit. This victory proved crucial because, just a few months later, Chelsea staged a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur, effectively handing the title over to the Foxes. The season also witnessed some significant shifts elsewhere, as Newcastle United faced relegation once again, marking their second drop since 2009, and Aston Villa—the sole West Midlands club that had avoided relegation since 1987—also fell out of the Premier League. To this day, the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur have remained steadfast as founding members since the league’s inception, demonstrating their enduring and prominent presence within the landscape of English football.

2016/2017 - Premier League [Pep arrives at the Etihad, Terry’s final season at Chelsea. Conte takes Blues to 5th title, West Ham’s new home, Farewell White Hart Lane, Spurs finish above Arsenal since 1995.]

The 2016-2017 season marked the 25th anniversary of the competition and brought about several significant changes. For the very first time since its inception, the original title was restored, following the end of Barclays' 15-year sponsorship. Along with this change, the competition also featured a fresh and updated look, signaling a new era in its long-standing history. Leicester City, the previous Premier League champions and notably the first team to win the title outside the traditional "Big Six," finished in 12th place this season, marking the shortest and most disappointing title defense in the history of the league. A new era was also taking place at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola who played for and managed FC Barcelona, rocked up at Manchester City, read to take on the new challenge of delivering silverware to the blue half of Manchester. Antonio Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge with the clear and determined mission of bringing silverware back to Chelsea’s trophy cabinet.

A new beginning was also underway in East London as West Ham, who had bid farewell to their beloved home fortress of Upton Park after an incredible 112 years, made the significant move to Stratford. They officially took up residence at their new home, the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Stadium, which is now known simply as the London Stadium. This transition marked a major chapter in the club’s history, although the move was not met with unanimous approval and remained a point of contention among many West Ham supporters.

On the field of play, managerial changes were occurring across several other clubs, including at Crystal Palace, who were struggling to maintain their position in the top-flight. After suffering defeats to Chelsea and especially Swansea - in a 9 goal thriller, Alan Pardew was axed. and former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce was hired to help secure the south London club’s Premier League status. This objective was ultimately achieved with a convincing 3-0 home victory over Arsenal on April 10th, a result which paved the way to ensure their survival in the league.

By May 21st, the Premier League trophy was proudly back at London’s West End, as Chelsea reclaimed the title with an impressive total of 93 points. This achievement was particularly significant as it also marked the final season for John Terry as Chelsea captain, a club legend who had been a key part of the first team since the 1998-1999 season. After 118 years, White Hart Lane was set for major redevelopment. Tottenham Hotspur secured second place behind Chelsea and surpassing Arsenal for the first time since 1995. Their last highest placing over local rivals was in the inaugural season two years prior, securing a league double.; The last White Hart Lane North London derby finished 2-0 to the home team with goals by Harry Kane and Dele Alli. The England captain and Victor Wanyama scored in a 2-1 win over Manchester United in the final match.

Arsenal and Man United, the top two who dominated the Premier League in the 1990’s and early 2000’s both finished outside the top four, with the Gunners missing out on UEFA Champions League football for the first time in 21 years under Arsene Wenger, their last and final trophy under him came in the FA Cup final defeating Chelsea 2-1 with Olivier Giroud on target, before his shock move to Stamford Bridge the following year. Everton finished in seventh place, which was enough to qualify for the UEFA Europa League. Burnley, Middlesbrough, and Hull earned promotion to the Premier League, but only Burnley managed to avoid relegation by staying up. Middlesbrough and Sunderland were relegated together once again, joined by Hull, who also returned to the Championship after just one year in the top flight.

2017/2018 - Premier League [City's Guardiola era starts; Newcastle return; Brighton, Huddersfield debut in PL; Spurs beat Chelsea first time since 1990; Wenger leaves Arsenal; Swansea, Stoke, WBA relegated.]

In the 2017-2018 season, Chelsea Football Club began as the defending champions of the English Premier League but ultimately lost the title to Manchester City, who performed exceptionally well under the astute management of Pep Guardiola. Key signings such as Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, and Gabriel Jesus significantly strengthened City's squad, helping them achieve an impressive total of 100 points by the end of the season. They set remarkable records for the most wins, most away victories, and the highest goal difference, all of which underscored their dominance in the league throughout that campaign. Chelsea did manage to secure the FA Cup by defeating Manchester United 1-0, with Eden Hazard notably scoring the crucial winning penalty, just a year after suffering a loss to Arsenal in the final.

Additionally, this season also marked a significant milestone not only for the league but also for fans, as the Premier League bid farewell to Arsene Wenger in what was his final year as the manager of Arsenal after an extraordinary tenure spanning 22 years at the helm, which officially began on September 30th, 1996, replacing Bruce Rioch after 1 year at the Islington club. During this remarkable period, he achieved a commendable tally of 7 FA Cups and 3 Premier League titles [1998, 2002], including an unprecedented and historic unbeaten season in 2003-2004, which will forever be remembered in football history.

Meanwhile, April 1, 2018, marked a significant moment in football history for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League era as they finally ended a lengthy and frustrating wait for a league victory in one stadium located 8 miles across the capital. Saturday February 10, 1990, then 28 years ago in the original First Division - marked the last time the N17 side side last tasted an away win in SW6. This long wait for a victory was finally broken as they came from behind to overturn an Alvaro Morata opener and hammer an impressive 4-1 victory over Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, the promoted teams of Brighton and Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town, and Newcastle United all performed admirably throughout the season, finishing commendably above the relegation zone and ensuring their survival in the competitive atmosphere of the top flight. In stark contrast, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion, and Stoke City faced the harsh reality of relegation after enduring long spells within the league, lasting 7, 8, and 10 years, respectively, ultimately highlighting the challenges and unpredictability of football.

2018/2019 - Premier League [New North West rivalry begins; City lead Liverpool in PL title race; Reds win 6th European Cup; Wolves back in Premier League; Huddersfield, Fulham, Cardiff relegated.]

The 2018-2019 season was quite an eventful and memorable one, as Manchester City successfully defended their coveted Premier League title, finishing the season with an impressive and commanding total of 98 points. They edged out Liverpool, who also delivered a remarkably strong performance and amassed 97 points, making it one of the closest title races in recent history. Meanwhile, Liverpool celebrated a monumental European Cup victory, triumphing over Tottenham Hotspur with a solid and well-earned score of 2-0 in the highly anticipated Champions League final. On their way to the final, Liverpool achieved a stunning comeback by overturning a 3-0 away defeat at the Nou Camp to knock out Barcelona with a remarkable 4-0 victory at Anfield. In terms of team movements and promotions, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City, and Fulham all made their long-awaited return to the Premier League. Wolves had a particularly notable season, finishing in an impressive 7th place and firmly establishing themselves in the top flight. However, it was a disappointing outcome for Huddersfield Town, Fulham, and Cardiff City, as all three teams ultimately faced relegation from the top tier of English football by the end of the campaign.

2019/2020 - Premier League [Klopp guides Liverpool to Premier League title win; Top-tier return for Yorkshire duo Norwich and Watford drop out, Bournemouth relegated after 5 years.]

The 2019-2020 football season was undeniably one that once again shocked the football world as it unfolded in a whirlwind of unexpected events and impressive achievements. In a fashion reminiscent of Leicester City's astonishing surprise victory, Liverpool managed to break their long-standing drought, claiming their first top-flight title since 1990. After numerous attempts that spanned decades, Jurgen Klopp finally managed to lift the curse, allowing the red half of Merseyside to taste Premier League title success for the very first time. This remarkable accomplishment occurred during a season that was nearly brought to a halt as the looming presence of Coronavirus began to disrupt the football landscape significantly.

Indeed, the season faced an unprecedented suspension lasting from mid-March until June 17, leaving many fans and players alike in uncertainty. However, when the league resumed, Liverpool displayed remarkable resilience, refusing to be deterred and ultimately going on to secure the 2020 title. Throughout this journey, they established an impressive array of new records, including the earliest-ever title confirmation with seven games remaining in the season, the largest points lead ever maintained at 25 points, and a remarkable streak of 24 consecutive victories at Anfield, seven of which had been accumulated from the previous season. Furthermore, they impressively shattered the former top-flight points record that was previously held by Chelsea, a record which had stood strong since the 2004-2005 season., finishing the season with an impressive total of 99 points. This triumph marked the Merseysiders’ 19th domestic top-flight title.

As the new season kicked off with excitement and anticipation, two notable clubs made their much-anticipated return to the competitive atmosphere of the Premier League. Sheffield United joyfully came back after an extended absence of 13 long years since their relegation in 2006, while Leeds United made their long-awaited return following a frustrating 15-year hiatus from the top flight. In contrast, Norwich City, Watford, and Bournemouth - despite winning against Everton on the final day, all faced the disappointment of relegation.

2021/2022 - Premier League [Brentford join the elite; A new era at Newcastle; City retain the title again.]

2022/2023 - Premier League : The 31st season of the top-flight [Haaland joins Man City and leads them to a historic treble, West Ham win UECL. Leeds and Leicester drop out of the Premier League again.]

The 31st historic season of the Premier League dawned, bringing with it an air of excitement and anticipation as new faces arrived and fresh challenges awaited the teams. Among the notable additions was Erling Haaland, the talented son of Alf-Inge Haaland, who had previously made his mark with Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City. The reigning champions moved swiftly to secure Haaland’s signature, having watched him rise through the ranks in Norway and in Germany with Borussia Dortmund in both the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League, hoping his exceptional skills and goal-scoring prowess would help propel them toward even greater success and a haul of more prestigious silverware in the campaign ahead.

2023/2024 - Premier League [Klopp’s final season at Anfield, 4 in a row for Pep and City, Glasner arrives at Palace]

2024/2025 - Premier League [Slot leads Reds to 20th title, drawing level with United; Ipswich, Saints, Leicester back in PL; Spurs win Europa League, Newcastle end 7-decade wait for Silverware, Glasner inspires Palace to FA Cup glory; Maresca guides Blues to UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup.

The 2024-2025 saw the 33rd season of the top-flight get underway with Manchester City defending the title which they have won in the past 4 seasons since 2021, the new campaign also saw some new faces join the division as Jurgen Klopp departed Anfield and Arne Slot filled the Anfield hotseat, Oliver Glasner began his full season proper as manager at Selhurst Park, following Roy Hodgson’s retirement. Leicester and Southampton returned after a year out, while Ipswich Town made their first appearance in 22 years, now managed by Kieran McKenna, who led them from League One to the top league with two promotions. At Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca became Chelsea's head coach, the sixth Italian to take up the top job after promoting Leicester back to the top-flight, Steve Cooper succeeded him at the King Power and at the AMEX Stadium, Roberto de Zerbi left Brighton, and was replaced by Fabian Hurzeler, who was the Premier League's youngest manager, born in February 1993 during its first season.

The season saw managerial changes along the way: Erik Ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United on October 28 after losing to West Ham United and was replaced by Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim. The next month, Steve Cooper was fired from Leicester after a 2–1 loss to Chelsea. The team was 16th, just one point above relegation. Former United star Ruud van Nistelrooy became manager on November 29th. December 15th saw more further changes in the dugouts In the West Midlands and the South of England, Gary O’Neil departed Wolves with Vitor Pereira taking over at Molineux, on the day that Russell Martin was also axed by Southampton following a 5–0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Ivan Jurić replacing him. A 4-1 loss to champions Man City left West Ham 14th on January 8, lead to Julen Lopetegui being axed and Graham Potter joining swiftly after.. At Goodison Park, Sean Dyche was sacked following defeat to Bournemouth and David Moyes returned 12 years after leaving in 2013 to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

After a 2-2 draw in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on February 12, where Everton’s vice-captain James Tarkowski saved a point and Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones got red cards, Portugal’s Diogo Jota [1996-2025] scored the winning goal at Anfield on April 2. This put Liverpool just three points away from their second Premier League title in five years. Four days later, on the weekend of April 5-6, the last three places in the Premier League relegation zone were decided. In north London, months after Juric joined, Southampton became the first team relegated to the EFL Championship after losing 3-1 to Tottenham Hotspur.. With only 10 points from 31 games, they set a record for being relegated with seven games left, breaking the old record of six. They also suffered heavy 5-0 losses at St Mary’s to both Spurs and Chelsea in the festive period. In the East Midlands, Leicester were the second team to go down on April 20 after Trent Alexander-Arnold who announced that he would be leaving Liverpool after 21 years — scored the winner, which set a new unwanted record for Leicester as the first top-flight club to go nine straight home matches without scoring.

Six days later at St James’ Park, Ipswich became the third and final team to be relegated after a 3–0 loss at Newcastle, their third relegation from the Premier League following demotions in 1995 and 2002. This meant for the second season running in the 2020’s, all three promoted teams were relegated, the third time in English top-flight history since 1997–1998 when Crystal Palace, Barnsley and Bolton went down. It was also the first Premier League season where all three relegations were confirmed with over four games remaining, breaking the previous record of two games from the 2020-2021 season.

April 27 saw Liverpool crowned champions for the second time since 2020 with a 5-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, their second title in the Premier League era also saw the Merseysiders draw level with their North West counterparts, Manchester United, on 20 league titles each, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing rivalry between these two historic football clubs.Liverpool fans saw their team win the Premier League at Anfield for the first time. Five years earlier, in the 2019-2020 season, fans were not allowed at Anfield., following Coronavirus which denied fans the right to attend matches in stadiums. The trophy was presented to Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk after the final home game of the season against Crystal Palace which finished 1-1, They were the first Dutch manager and captain to win the English top flight title. Arsenal finished second for the third consecutive year, trailing Liverpool and Manchester City. City finished in third after four years of first-place finishes, they would also end the season trophyless.

Meanwhile It was the end of an era for one of football’s beloved stadiums, as Everton got ready to say goodbye to Goodison Park after 132 years. The final home match of the season, held on May 18th, witnessed new signing Iliman Ndiaye become the last Everton player to score goals on this historic pitch, doing so in an emotional game against Southampton. Not following Arsenal and West Ham’s recent moves in knocking down Highbury and Upton Park and moving to newer stadiums, ripping up history behind them. Everton decided to keep the famous stadium in Walton for the women’s team, making both the Everton fans and the Walton community happy. The men’s senior team will start a new chapter by moving to their new home at the New Everton Stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock, Vauxhall. Newcastle made history by beating Liverpool 2-1 to win the EFL Carabao Cup, their first major trophy in 70 years and the first since PIF took over. The club also finished 5th to qualify for the Champions League. On May 21, Ange Postecoglou ended Tottenham Hotspur’s 17-year trophy drought with Brennan Johnson’s goal winning the UEFA Europa League final against Man United in Bilbao, securing Spurs a place in the Champions League.

Despite suffering defeat on the final day of the season for both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, both West and East Midlands clubs still managed to qualify for European competition, as they would both compete in the UEFA Europa League. This achievement highlighted their strong performances throughout the campaign, ensuring continued presence on the continental stage.for Forest it was the first time the qualified for European football since 1994-95 when they finished 3rd to participate in the UEFA Cup before it’s renaming. Villa would also play in Europe, but in a lower competition than the UEFA Champions League, which they started the season in.

Oliver Glasner - a year after his appointment at Selhurst Park - led Crystal Palace to their first FA Cup win, with Eberechi Eze scoring the winning goal in the first half against Manchester City. This was the club’s first major trophy and earned them a spot in the UEFA Conference League, marking the clubs first involvement in Europe for the first time since the old UEFA Intertoto Cup, sparking full time celebrations in south-east London. This victory was also bittersweet as the football club prepared to bid a heartfelt farewell to long-serving fullback Joel Ward. Ward was last original member from the 2012-13 squad that returned to the top-flight and he made history by becoming the first and only player to make over 300 appearances for the club, reaching an impressive total of 363 matches. The utility full-back joined Crystal Palace from Portsmouth at the start of the 2012-2013 Npower Championship season, helping Palace return to the Premier League via the Championship Playoff Final and has since been a consistent presence on the pitch, appearing in nearly every game throughout his impressive 13-year tenure at Selhurst Park. His long-standing commitment and performances have established him as a key figure and an important part of the club’s rich history.

Three years after Todd Bohely and Clearlake took full ownership of Chelsea from Roman Abramovich., The Blues became the first London club to win every UEFA competition, completing the set with a 4-1 comeback win over Real Betis in the Conference League. They will also return to the Champions League after three years. On July 13, they won the FIFA Club World Cup by beating PSG 3-0 in the USA, with goals from Cole Palmer and new signing Joao Pedro from Brighton.