FA Premiership 2002-03 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Manchester United

This was United's 15th championship title, and 8th Premiership title. The other championship years were 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001. They finished with 83 points from 38 games, winning 25, drawing 8 and losing just 5 games.

Answer: Ruud van Nistelrooy

van Nistelrooy scored 25 League goals during this season, including three hat-tricks, all at Old Trafford, against Newcastle United in a 5-3 victory, a 3-0 win again against Fulham and Charlton Athletic were defeated 4-1 also, with the first goal from David Beckham.

Answer: Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion & West Ham United

Sunderland were relegated with just 19 points from their 38 games played. The highlight of their Premiership season was undoubtedly a 2-1 victory against Liverpool at home. West Brom had 26 points from 38 games, with 6 wins. A 2-1 win away to Manchester City was their best performance of the season. West Ham were relegated on the last day of the season, and had 10 wins from their 38 games. 3-2 away to Chelsea at Stamford bridge was their best performance for the season.

Answer: Brad Friedel

The full team was: Brad Friedel (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), William Gallas (Chelsea), Patrick Vieira (Arsenal), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Robert Pires (Arsenal), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United), Alan Shearer (Newcastle United), and Thierry Henry (Arsenal).

Answer: Charlton Athletic

67,721 supporters saw United go 8 points clear at the top of the table on 3rd May, 2003. David Beckham opened the scoring in the 11th minute, only for Charlton's Claus Jensen to level the score a minute later. Ruud van Nistelrooy gave the United fans something to celebrate though, as he scored his 41st goal of the season in all competitions in the 31st minute, followed by another 6 minutes later.

He finished the game with an hat-trick in the 53rd minute to give United a 4-1 victory. Arsenal were to lose to Leeds United 3-2 the following day and the title was back at Old Trafford.

Answer: Liverpool

Southampton's unbeaten run lasted 5 months, and 11 games before Liverpool came to St. Mary's on 19th January, 2003. Emile Heskey scored the only goal of the game in the 14th minute. Just two weeks later, Manchester United became the last team to beat Southampton in the League in the season, with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs giving them a 2-0 victory. Southampton finished the season in 8th place.

Answer: 14

Rooney made his Everton debut at the age of 16 years and 307 days old. He also became the youngest England international during this season, when he played against Australia in a 3-1 defeat at Upton Park on February 19th, 2003 at the age of 17 years and 111 days old. Rooney came off the bench 17 times for Everton, and scored a total of 6 goals in the League for the Toffeemen.

Answer: Peter Reid

Peter Reid was the fortunate manager that started the season with Sunderland. He was sacked on 7th October, 2002, and became Leeds United manager on 21st March, 2003. Tigana left Fulham by mutual consent on 17th April, 2003 to be replaced by Chris Coleman. Wilkinson became Sunderland manager on 10th October, 2002, and was fired on 10th March, 2003, to be replaced by former Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy two days later. Glenn Roeder, unfortunately suffered a stroke on 24th April, 2003 and former West Ham United legend Trevor Brooking took temporary charge of the team.

Answer: Jermaine Pennant

This game was Pennant's full League debut for Arsenal. Previously, he had played 3 times as a substitute, and failed to score in any of those games. Pires' 14 League goals helped the Gunners into second place, and an automatic Champions League place.

Answer: Newcastle 5 Blackburn 1

The game at Ewood Park took place on 19th October, 2002. David Dunn scored twice in the first 8 minutes of the game to give Blackburn a 2-0 lead, but Newcastle drew level thanks to Alan Shearer's brace in the 36th and 48th minutes. Martin Taylor (55), an Andy Griffin own-goal (65), and another from Taylor in the 74th minute gave Blackburn the win. On the 22nd March, 2003, Nolberto Solano gave Newcastle a first half lead, and Damien Duff levelled the score in the 54th minute. Laurent Robert made it 2-1 to Newcastle in the 61st minute, and a crazy last 5 minutes saw Newcastle win the game 5-1, with Jermaine Jenas (85), a Vratislav Gresko own-goal (89), and Craig Bellamy getting the goals.