Carling English Premier League 1996-1997 Season Review

Man Utd lift the Premier League trophy for the fourth time in five seasons

After the euphoria of England's run to the UEFA Euro 1996 semi-finals on home soil and a gripping title race between Manchester United and Newcastle United the previous Premier League campaign, the two sides were the main protagonists again in 1996/97, with Sir Alex Ferguson's side winning their fourth PL crown in just five seasons.

Newcastle, who had let a 12-point lead slip to Man Utd in 1995/96, made a statement of their intent clear with the world record signing of England striker Alan Shearer, who arrived at his hometown club from Blackburn Rovers for £15m in July.

But it was another English star, who had not featured in Euro 1996, that made his mark on the opening day of the season. Manchester United academy starlet David Beckham scored from inside his own half as the Red Devils beat Wimbledon 3-0 at Selhurst Park.

Fabrizio Ravanelli, who joined Middlesbrough after scoring in Juventus' UEFA Champions League final victory over Ajax the previous season, scored a hat-trick in Boro's 3-3 draw with Liverpool on his debut in August. Other notable recruits included his former Juve team-mate Gianluca Vialli at Chelsea, for whom Ruud Gullit was made player-manager after an impressive debut season, while Patrick Vieira arrived at Arsenal and Patrik Berger joined Liverpool, who saw legendary striker Ian Rush depart for Leeds United.

After two defeats from their opening three matches Newcastle won six on the bounce before they welcomed Man Utd to St James' Park in October. The Premier League leaders thrashed the defending champions 5-0, with Philippe Albert's sublime chip rounding off a memorable victory. A shock 6-3 loss to Southampton and a 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea followed for Man Utd.

But United soon embarked on a 16-match unbeaten run, starting with a 1-0 win against Arsenal, who had appointed Arsene Wenger as manager from Japanese side Nagoya Grampus Eight the previous month. It was the first defeat of Wenger's long and successful reign at the north London club, and it allowed Man Utd to wrestle the momentum back in the 1996/97 title race.

United's form was inspired by Eric Cantona, who scored a sublime chip in a 5-0 win against Sunderland. That was one of 11 strikes in 1996/97 for the Frenchman, who netted over 10 goals for the fourth successive Premier League campaign before announcing his shock retirement in May at the age of 30.

[jdooris]

My first season supporting Manchester United as a kid and what a season from start to finish

[callumcc]

Shearer was the worlds most expensive player in 1996! It is absolutely ridiculous and disgusting how money has destroyed the sport! It started when the FA Premier League tv rights were sold to bSKYb. The beautiful game in this country has become a foreign league with players, managers, owners all coming from abroad.

[djdhere]

Editing could've been better..many crucial goals are missed so is the sound in the Beckham piece....otherwise a good season review

[SAFCJIMBOB]

Good start feature with the Lion better than the modern ones. As for the season really felt for Sunderland they didnt deserve to go down.

[travisbickle]

Ravenelli opening day hattrick. Amazing.

[dingelberryhandpump]

I went to 16 home games and 11 away that season including selhurst park to see becks score THAT goal

Oh how times have changed
Not been to OT since 2017
It’s just too much

[stormhawk]

Despite the thrashings they received from Newcastle & Southampton, Utd still won the title on a canter. Ferguson had no equal this season.

[JohnCambridge-ct]

The Wimbledon moving to Dublin wasn't a rumour they where actually close to moving to Dublin

[ramytoubar]

This was the first season of Arsene Wenger

[zk]

David James cost Liverpool the League Title.

[RutlessMan]

Highlights for clubs relegated from PL:

44:50 Nottingham Forest's relegation from PL
45:04 Middlesbrough's relegation from PL
45:23 Coventry City's escape from relegation, causing Sunderland to say goodbye to PL

[thehearingaid]

used to always play USM2 for this season. Great game.

[LukesGamePage]

Didn't know David Cameron was a Newcastle fan @33:41

[gadaboutunited]

The Wimbledon moving to Dublin 'rumour' was an April fools' joke...not really a rumour.

[FootkerSnookball]

What were the chances of back-to-back 4-3 wins for Liverpool vs Newcastle 95/96 & 96/97.
Only other oscure back-to-back scoreline in the PL I can think of off the top of my head is Arsenal 5-2 Spurs 2011/12 & 2012/13.

[JohnCambridge-ct]

If anything the losses against Newcastle Southampton and Chelsea where a blessing in disguise

[johndonohue]

What ever happened to that rising star David Beckham?

[nigelbenn]

I'd forgotten how much I loathed Man Utd. It's all flooding back now.

[melaniecoyde]

been cut some of these season reviews, can anyone get the full ones

[Moudiscover]

Do you have season review full 2010-2011 !! ?