Sat 11 May 2002
Arsenal 4-3 Everton, Liverpool 5-0 Ipswich Town, Manchester United 0-0 Charlton Athletic, Sunderland 1-1 Derby County, Southampton 3-1 Newcastle United

Arsenal travelled up to Old Trafford knowing that they only needed a point at the home of their closest title rivals, and winners of the Premiership all but twice since its inception in 1992. Injuries had meant the Gunners were missing Henry and Adams, with Dennis Bergkamp starting on the bench, meaning Wiltord would have to partner Kanu upfront. Hardly the ideal scenario when visiting the Theatre of Dreams. For Manchester United, this game signalled their last chance at regaining the title. A win today, and a win againt Charlton on Saturday, would mean the title would once again reside in Trafford, provided Arsenal were to lose against Everton as well. So it came as some surprise to discover that United's top scorer (40 in all competitons this term) Ruud Van Nistlerooy was left on the bench, Ferguson claiming the rigours of the season had finally got to him. This meant Solsjkaer would start with the so far non-scoring Urugyian Diego Forlan.

Arsenal almost got off to a dream start, when Wiltord's half-volley deflected off Laurent Blanc away from the United goal, when he picked up Parlour's pass in a move that had started when Seaman's clearance met Kanu. Minutes later, the Arsenal penalty area was becoming besieged by United attacks, as they forced corner after corner, but Seaman remained untroubled. The United then took to trying to kick the Arsenal team round the pitch in a bid to get any reaction out of the likes of Vieira or Parlour who had both seen red earlier in the season. Paul Scholes was booked for a reckless lunge on Edu, followed by Phil Neville and Roy Keane for fouls on Wiltord and Wiltord respectively. Blanc was later booked for fouling Cole, as was Edu for Arsenal. Red mist lifted, it was honours even at half time.

A mistake by Silvestre in the second half allowed Parlour to gain possession, who found Wiltord, and put Ljungberg running into space. Barthez managed to parry the Swede's shot, but Wiltord was on hand to knock in the rebound. Arsenal had taken the lead. This hadn't happened at Old Trafford against United since 1998 when Marc Overmars scored the vital goal which effectively won them the Premiership and the Double. Ferguson introduced Van Nistlerooy immediately, but must've felt that the game and the championship was already lost to him. As the seconds ticked by, Arsenal remained strong, introducing veteran Lee Dixon to the fray, who was able to do enough to get up Barthez's nose. The United supporters, tearful, filed out of the ground, waved off by the Arsenal faithful.

Sir Alex Ferguson had been beaten at his own game. His Premiership, taken from him, on his ground, and his team beaten by the new Kings of England. For all his mind games and taunting, Ferguson had chosen the wrong adversery in Arsene Wenger, who is no Kevin Keegan. Fergie's most recent tirade that his team had played the best football since Christmas, had left him red faced when Wenger replied that "everybody think's they have the prettiest wife at home". Fergie misconstrued what Wenger was saying, thinking this to be an actual personal attack on his wife. Earlier in the season, Fergie had commented that Wenger was the only manager not to drink with him after a game. Wenger replied that he would send him a bottle of scotch through the post. Though it was a nice touch that the Scott was still man enough to invite Wenger into his office for a drink after the final whistle, and Wenger didn't decline.

While this was all going off, Liverpool were quietly moving into second place with a 4-3 win over Blackburn, meaning they would be able to qualify automatically for the Champions League next season, and leaving United with their lowest league positon since the Premiership's inception. Blackburn came from behind three times to level the score 3-3 in the 80th minute through Matt Jansen, before Emile Heskey was able to push the homeside back in from with four minutes of normal time to go, and ensure his side took all three points.

And so, to Saturday, and the last day of the season, where party time at Highbury, where Everton were to come down and take part in the celebrations. At Old Trafford, only a win over Charlton would give United a chance of second place, meaning Liverpool would need to beat Ipswich Town and claim second place as rightfully theirs. For Ipswich, relegation was looming large. A win over Liverpool, and a loss for Sunderland against an already relegated Derby would mean safety for the Tractor Boys and condemn Sunderland to an uncertain future in the Nationwide First Division. However, absolutely nothing was going to stop Liverpool against a team they had already beaten 5-0 earlier in the season, and they were to do exactly the same again. A Risse double, and goals from Owen, Smicer and Anelka proved to be more than enough to send Ipswich Town plummeting down into the first division. Even if the scoreline had been reversed, Ipswich were doomed as Sunderland claimed the point they needed against Derby. The only black spot at Anfield was the recurrance of Steven Gerrard's hamstring injury, enough to mean he'll miss this year's World Cup. Kieron Dyer was also left with his World Cup hopes shattered from a disgraceful foul by Southampton's Tahar El Khalej in Newcastle's 3-1 defeat at St Mary's.

For Newcastle though, it has been a good season as they stand fourth in the Premiership and are only a qualifier away from next season's Champions League. As are Manchester United, but their fans expected so much more. On the final day of the season, it was like a morgue at Old Trafford, as the former champions could only scrap to a draw against Charlton Athletic. Charlton themselves could've gone ahead, had they taken any three perfect chances given to them.

Back at Highbury, as the party continued, Everton had the cheek to lead 2-1 just before half time, as the Champions rested many of their heroes from Old Trafford three days earlier. Thierry Henry equalised on the stroke of half time, with Bergkamp opening the scoring early on, before slack defending let in Carlsley and Radzinski. Henry scored again after the break, and then set up Francis Jeffers to make it 4-2 with a header against his former club. With 10 minutes to go Wenger took off Richard Wright and put on third choice goalkeeper, the young Stuart Taylor, ensuring he too would get a champions meddle, having made nine league appearences already, when imjuries had taken both Seaman and Wright. Steve Watson managed to get another back for the visitors before the final whistle.

And then they were crowned the New Kings of England as Tony Adams lifted the Premiership trophy in what could be his final professional appearance for the Gunners, as he remains undecided about his playing future. For veteran defender Lee Dixon, it was the last time, as he prepares for retirement at the age of 38 after 14 years in an Arsenal shirt. He may have been succeeded in the right back position by Lauren and Luzhney, but he'll be sorely missed by all the club.

As the Arsenal players lined up to lift the trophy it reinforced how much of a squad effort this campaign has been, as opposed to the team effort of Arsenal's last double in 1998; as long term absentees Robert Pires and Giovanni Van Bronchurst joined in the celebrations.

To Tony Adams second testimonial at the club provided the ideal opportunity to see the old pro off in style, as Adams and Dixon were joined at the back by Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould and John Lukic in goal, the original back five put together by George Graham in the late eighties, and was still mostly in force up until Arsenal's last double year in 1998.

Scottish champions, Celtic provided the opposition on this Monday evening, as the players were treated to torrential rain throughout. Celtic took the lead in the first half, but it was fitting that Dixon should score the equaliser set up by Nigel Winterburn; an almost mirror image of the goal scored by Adams against Everton when he was set up by Bould in the game that sealed the Championship in 1998.

Unlike Dixon, Adams is yet to decide on his future, whether he'll continue to play or not for another year. Adams like Dixon has been out for much of the season, but his presence has certainly been felt in the games he appeared in, not least the FA Cup final against Chelsea (click here for report. Even if he only turns out for a dozen or so games next season, the squad would still gain much from his expertise.

And so Gilles Grimandi's departure from the club has been somewhat overshadowed by events. Not the greatest player to don the red and white shirt, but Grimandi has always been there to do his job with a real professionalism, and has never been one to cause disquiet.

Thierry Henry's double against Everton means he wins the Golden Boot as the Premiership's top scorer. Not bad for a player some perceive not to be a natural scorer. For all his contributions throughout the season before his injury against Newcastle in the FA Cup, Robert Pires was named Sports Writers Player of the Year. Freddie Ljungberg won the Barclaycard Premiership Player of the Year. Dennis Bergkamp won Goal of the Season against Newcastle. Arsene Wenger won Premiership Manager and League Association Manager of the Season. And Arsenal set a new Premierhip record of 13 wins in a row. Arsenal are also the only team to remain unbeaten in the league since 1899, and they've also scored in every Premiership match this season, 38 in all.