MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 04:54:21| >> :120:16763:16763:

On this day: Leeds beat Arsenal to hand Manchester United 2002-03 title

On this day: Leeds beat Arsenal to hand Manchester United 2002-03 title
© Reuters
It was an eighth title in 11 years for Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad.

Manchester United were crowned Premiership champions on May 4, 2003 after nearest challengers Arsenal lost 3-2 at home to Leeds.

It was an eighth title in 11 years for Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at the finale to the 2003 title race.

Another United Fightback

David Beckham was a key player for United
David Beckham was a key player for United (PA)

Fergie's men were eight points behind champions Arsenal at one stage but bounced back from consecutive defeats against Blackburn and Middlesbrough either side of Christmas Day to remain unbeaten in the league for the remainder of the campaign.

Gunners Losing Firepower

Arsene Wenger (right) watches on
Arsene Wenger (right) watches on (PA)

Arsene Wenger's side were unbeaten in the league until mid-October when a 16-year-old called Wayne Rooney netted his first league goal in the last minute at Goodison Park to hand Everton victory. Arsenal paid the price for injuries to the likes of Sol Campbell and Patrick Vieira as they fell behind. They had been two ahead at Bolton the previous weekend but saw three players go off injured and only managed a point. Pascal Cygan, Freddie Ljungberg and Lauren all suffered injuries against Sam Allardyce's side to join Campbell, Vieira, Edu and Francis Jeffers on the sidelines ahead of the visit of Leeds.

United Pile on Pressure

Viduka stunned Highbury
Viduka stunned Highbury (PA)

A Ruud Van Nistelrooy hat-trick and a David Beckham strike earned United a 4-1 win over Charlton the day before Arsenal welcomed Leeds to Highbury. The victory sent United eight points clear with a trip to Goodison to complete the campaign but Arsenal now had two games in hand. Arsenal twice fought back at Highbury thanks to equalisers from Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp but Mark Viduka sealed an away win in the closing stages.

Fergie v Wenger

Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated in style
Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated in style (John Peters)

The Arsenal boss maintained his side were "certainly the best team in England" after the defeat. "We have the feeling that in recent weeks things went against us with injuries and suspensions especially," the Frenchman added. "That can happen to anybody but I still believe we are the best team. I still think we could play the Brazilian national team." Ferguson vindicated his decision to reverse his retirement during the previous season. The Scot did not watch the game because he was at his grandson's birthday party but celebrated afterwards. "We were up against a terrific side but we showed perseverance, determination and a great ability never to give up," he said. "We had to overcome injuries early in the season but we had to bite the bullet and take the poison."

Leeds Celebrating Too

Peter Reid got the Leeds job on the back of the win
Peter Reid got the Leeds job on the back of the win (PA)

The result was just as important for Leeds as the victory all but secured their Premier League survival. Peter Reid had been brought in as caretaker boss after the departure of Terry Venables with the Yorkshire club seven points above the relegation zone with eight games left. Five days after the Arsenal victory, Reid was confirmed as the club's manager, although he was sacked six months later.

What Happened Next?

Arsenal won the FA Cup inside two weeks
Arsenal won the FA Cup inside two weeks (PA)

Arsenal gained some comfort by beating Southampton 1-0 in the FA Cup final and they regained their title in style the following year as they went the whole league campaign unbeaten. Ferguson targeted the Champions League but his side lost to Jose Mourinho's Porto before United clinched the FA Cup.

ID:398367: cacheID:398367:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10928:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ryan Giggs and Manchester United lift the 2007-08 Premier League title on May 11, 2008
Read Next:
How every PL season would have finished after gameweek 29: 2007-08
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!