| Competition: | FA Premier League |
| Season: | 2002–03 |
| Dates: | 17 August 2002 – 11 May 2003 |
| Winners: | Manchester United 8th Premier League title 15th English title |
| Relegated: | West Ham United West Bromwich Albion Sunderland |
| Continentalcup1: | Champions League |
| Continentalcup1 Qualifiers: | Manchester United Arsenal Newcastle United Chelsea |
| Continentalcup2: | UEFA Cup |
| Continentalcup2 Qualifiers: | Southampton Blackburn Rovers Liverpool Manchester City (through UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking) |
| Matches: | 380 |
| Total Goals: | 1000 |
| League Topscorer Section: | Top scorers |
| League Topscorer: | Ruud van Nistelrooy (25 goals) |
| Best Goalkeeper: | Brad Friedel (15 clean sheets) |
| Biggest Home Win: | (22 March 2003) (7 May 2003) |
| Biggest Away Win: | (26 April 2003) |
| Highest Scoring: | (23 November 2002) (12 April 2003) |
| Longest Wins: | 7 games[1] Liverpool |
| Longest Unbeaten: | 18 games Manchester United |
| Longest Winless: | 20 games Sunderland |
| Longest Losses: | 15 games Sunderland |
| Highest Attendance: | 67,721 (3 May 2003) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 14,017 (7 April 2003) |
| Attendance: | 13,476,455[2] |
| Average Attendance: | 35,464 |
| Prevseason: | 2001–02 |
| Nextseason: | 2003–04 |
The 2002–03 FA Premier League (known as the FA Barclaycard Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the 11th season of the Premier League, the top division in English football. The first matches were played on 17 August 2002 and the last were played on 11 May 2003.
Manchester United ended the campaign as champions for the eighth time in eleven years – an achievement made all the more remarkable by the fact that defending champions Arsenal had been in the lead by eight points on 2 March. After defeating Birmingham at the start of the season, Arsenal equalled a top-flight record of fourteen straight wins but failed to extend it in their next game at West Ham United, being held to a 2–2 draw. They remained unbeaten for 30 Premier League games, 23 of which were played away, until late October, and scored in a record 55 consecutive league games, beating the previous record of 47 set by Chesterfield during the 1930-31 Third Division North season. This run ended at Old Trafford on 7 December 2002, when Manchester United won 2–0.[3] Arsenal then threw away a priceless lead against Bolton Wanderers and finally surrendered the title with a 3–2 home defeat to Leeds United in their antepenultimate game of the season, a result that also saved Leeds from relegation. Newcastle United and Chelsea were the remaining Champions League qualifiers, at the expense of Liverpool who had to settle for the UEFA Cup; they would be joined in Europe by Blackburn Rovers for a second successive season, along with Southampton who were back in Europe for the first time since 1984.
At the bottom end of the table, West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland were relegated to the Football League First Division; West Ham's 42 points from a 38-game season was a record for a relegated team. Promoted to replace them were 2002–03 Football League First Division champions Portsmouth, runners-up Leicester City, and play-off winner Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Twenty teams competed in the league – the top seventeen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the First Division. The promoted teams were Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion, and Birmingham City, who returned after one and sixteen years respectively. This was also both West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City's first season in the Premier League. They replaced Ipswich Town (relegated to the First Division after two seasons in the top flight), Derby County, and Leicester City (both teams relegated after a six-year presence).
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Arsenal Stadium | 38,419 | ||
| Aston Villa | Villa Park | 42,573 | ||
| Birmingham City | Birmingham | St Andrew's | 30,009 | |
| Blackburn Rovers | Blackburn | Ewood Park | 31,367 | |
| Bolton Wanderers | Bolton | Reebok Stadium | 28,723 | |
| Charlton Athletic | London | The Valley | 27,111 | |
| Chelsea | London | Stamford Bridge | 42,055 | |
| Everton | Goodison Park | 40,569 | ||
| Fulham | London | Loftus Road | 19,148 | |
| Leeds United | Leeds | Elland Road | 40,242 | |
| Liverpool | Liverpool | Anfield | 45,522 | |
| Manchester City | Maine Road | 35,150 | ||
| Manchester United | Manchester | Old Trafford | 68,174 | |
| Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough | Riverside Stadium | 35,049 | |
| Newcastle United | Newcastle upon Tyne | St James' Park | 52,387 | |
| Southampton | Southampton | St Mary's Stadium | 32,689 | |
| Sunderland | Sunderland | Stadium of Light | 49,000 | |
| Tottenham Hotspur | London | White Hart Lane | 36,240 | |
| West Bromwich Albion | West Bromwich | The Hawthorns | 28,003 | |
| West Ham United | London | Boleyn Ground | 35,647 |
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds United |  David O'Leary | Sacked | 27 June 2002 | Pre-season | Terry Venables | 8 July 2002 | |
| Sunderland | Peter Reid | 7 October 2002[4] | 17th | Howard Wilkinson | 10 October 2002[5] | ||
| Howard Wilkinson | 10 March 2003[6] | 20th | Mick McCarthy | 12 March 2003[7] | |||
| Leeds United | Terry Venables | 21 March 2003[8] | 15th | Peter Reid | 21 March 2003[9] | ||
| Fulham |  Jean Tigana | 17 April 2003[10] | 15th | Chris Coleman (caretaker) | 17 April 2003 | ||
| West Ham United | Glenn Roeder | Illness | 22 April 2003[11] | 18th | Trevor Brooking (caretaker) | 25 April 2003 |
Mark Viduka for Leeds United against Aston Villa (11 May 2003)| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[12] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ruud van Nistelrooy | Manchester United | 25 |
| 2 | Thierry Henry | Arsenal | 24 |
| 3 | James Beattie | Southampton | 23 |
| 4 | Mark Viduka | Leeds United | 20 |
| 5 | Michael Owen | Liverpool | 19 |
| 6 | Alan Shearer | Newcastle United | 17 |
| 7 | Nicolas Anelka | Manchester City | 15 |
| 8 |  Gianfranco Zola | Chelsea | 14 |
| Robert Pires | Arsenal | 14 | |
| Harry Kewell | Leeds United | 14 | |
| Paul Scholes | Manchester United | 14 |
See main article: List of Premier League hat-tricks.
| Player | For ! | Against | Result | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | Manchester City | 3–0 | |||
| Southampton | Fulham | 4–2 | |||
| Manchester United | Newcastle United | 5–3 | |||
| Tottenham Hotspur | Everton | 4–3 | |||
| Arsenal | West Ham United | 3–1 | |||
| Manchester United | Fulham | 3–0 | |||
| Leeds United | Charlton Athletic | 6–1 | |||
| Manchester United | Newcastle United | 6–2 | |||
| 4 | Liverpool | West Bromwich Albion | 6–0 | ||
| Manchester United | Charlton Athletic | 4–1 | |||
| Arsenal | Southampton | 6–1 | |||
| Arsenal | Sunderland | 4–0 |
| Month | Manager of the Month | Player of the Month | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Club | Player | Club | ||
| August | Glenn Hoddle[17] | Tottenham Hotspur | Sylvain Wiltord[18] | Arsenal | |
| September | Arsène Wenger[19] | Arsenal | Thierry Henry | Arsenal | |
| October | Gérard Houllier[20] | Liverpool | Gianfranco Zola | Chelsea | |
| November | David Moyes[21] | Everton | James Beattie[22] | Southampton | |
| December | Gordon Strachan[23] | Southampton | Alan Shearer[24] | Newcastle United | |
| January | Sir Bobby Robson[25] | Newcastle United | Paul Scholes[26] | Manchester United | |
| February | Alan Curbishley[27] | Charlton Athletic | Robert Pires[28] | Arsenal | |
| March | Glenn Roeder[29] | West Ham United | Steven Gerrard[30] | Liverpool | |
| April | Sir Alex Ferguson[31] | Manchester United | Ruud van Nistelrooy | Manchester United | |
The PFA Players' Player of the Year award for 2003 was won by Thierry Henry of Arsenal.[32] This was the Frenchman's first award of the season and he beat off competition from the previous winner Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, in alphabetical order, was as follows:
| Player | Team | |
|---|---|---|
| James Beattie | Southampton | |
| Thierry Henry | Arsenal | |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | Manchester United | |
| Paul Scholes | Manchester United | |
| Alan Shearer | Newcastle United | |
| Gianfranco Zola | Chelsea |
The PFA Young Player of the Year award was won by Jermaine Jenas of Newcastle United.[33] Wayne Rooney was voted runner-up, and John O'Shea finished third in one of his first full seasons as a United player.
The shortlist for the award was as follows:
| Player | Team | |
|---|---|---|
| Craig Bellamy | Newcastle United | |
| Jermain Defoe | West Ham United | |
| Jermaine Jenas | Newcastle United | |
| John O'Shea | Manchester United | |
| Scott Parker | Charlton Athletic | |
| Wayne Rooney | Everton |
| PFA Team of the Year |
| Goalkeeper: | Brad Friedel (Blackburn Rovers) | |
| Defence: | Stephen Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), William Gallas (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Arsenal) | |
| Midfield: | Patrick Vieira (Arsenal), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United), Robert Pires (Arsenal) | |
| Attack: | Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Alan Shearer (Newcastle United) |
The Premier League Manager of the Year award was won by Sir Alex Ferguson[34] for winning his eighth title and regaining the league after a superb second half to the season, involving an 18-match unbeaten run.
The Premier League Player of the Year award was given to Ruud van Nistelrooy,[35] whose form, creativity and goals all helped Manchester United regain the league from Arsenal.
The Premier League Golden Boot award was also won by Ruud van Nistelrooy who scored 25 goals in 38 league matches and 44 in all competitions. He also equalled his record of eight goals in eight successive matches at the beginning of the season, a milestone he had reached the previous season. Van Nistelrooy finished one goal ahead of Arsenal's Thierry Henry while James Beattie managed 23 league goals for Southampton.
The Premier League Golden Gloves award was given to Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who proved vital in their quest for UEFA Champions League football. He kept twelve clean sheets – the most in the season – and only conceded 35 goals. Viewers of ITV's On the Ball voted Cudicini, ahead of Southampton keeper Antti Niemi, and Blackburn Rovers' Brad Friedel.[36]
The annual award was won by a wonder goal from Thierry Henry against Tottenham Hotspur, on 16 November 2002, voted by viewers of ITV's The Premiership.
The French striker picked up the ball from his side of the pitch and ran almost, twisting and turning the Spurs defence to unleash a thunderous shot. In celebration, he ran the distance of the whole pitch and skidded in front of the Spurs faithful. The goal proved important as it helped them regain their position at the top of the Premiership from Liverpool.
The Premier League Fair Play Award was won by Manchester United.[37]
| Pos | Club | Games played | Red/Yellow cards | Positive play | Respect toward opponents | Respect toward referee | Behaviour of team officials | Points | Score | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 38 | 332 | 325 | 223 | 226 | 206 | 1312 | 328.00 | 8.63 | |
| 2 | Newcastle United | 38 | 325 | 318 | 217 | 218 | 200 | 1278 | 319.50 | 8.41 | |
| 3 | Chelsea | 38 | 314 | 306 | 213 | 221 | 200 | 1254 | 313.50 | 8.25 | |
| 4 | Liverpool | 38 | 324 | 301 | 224 | 225 | 180 | 1254 | 313.50 | 8.25 | |
| 5 | Manchester City | 38 | 310 | 288 | 224 | 231 | 194 | 1247 | 311.75 | 8.20 | |
| 6 | Arsenal | 38 | 315 | 319 | 214 | 212 | 180 | 1240 | 310.00 | 8.16 | |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 38 | 318 | 290 | 224 | 229 | 173 | 1234 | 308.50 | 8.12 | |
| 8 | Blackburn Rovers | 38 | 307 | 292 | 219 | 222 | 178 | 1218 | 304.50 | 8.01 | |
| 9 | Aston Villa | 38 | 304 | 283 | 212 | 218 | 201 | 1218 | 304.50 | 8.01 | |
| 10 | Everton | 38 | 304 | 293 | 217 | 214 | 185 | 1213 | 303.25 | 7.98 | |
| 11 | Sunderland | 38 | 314 | 255 | 220 | 226 | 196 | 1211 | 302.75 | 7.97 | |
| 12 | Fulham | 38 | 304 | 284 | 203 | 211 | 203 | 1205 | 301.25 | 7.93 | |
| 13 | Leeds United | 38 | 304 | 290 | 206 | 210 | 194 | 1204 | 301.00 | 7.92 | |
| 14 | West Bromwich Albion | 38 | 316 | 273 | 219 | 214 | 181 | 1203 | 300.75 | 7.91 | |
| 15 | Southampton | 38 | 323 | 282 | 221 | 220 | 154 | 1200 | 300.00 | 7.89 | |
| 16 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 309 | 291 | 215 | 207 | 174 | 1196 | 299.00 | 7.87 | |
| 17 | West Ham United | 38 | 298 | 281 | 211 | 212 | 191 | 1193 | 298.25 | 7.85 | |
| 18 | Charlton Athletic | 38 | 316 | 270 | 210 | 214 | 177 | 1187 | 296.75 | 7.81 | |
| 19 | Bolton Wanderers | 38 | 299 | 279 | 218 | 217 | 161 | 1174 | 293.50 | 7.72 | |
| 20 | Birmingham City | 38 | 295 | 271 | 201 | 213 | 179 | 1159 | 289.75 | 7.63 |
