1996–97 FA Premier League: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m dab Stamford Bridge
Undid revision 1220679255 by 89.127.41.96 (talk) Overlinking
 
(450 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
''This article describes the '''FA Premier League 1996-97''' season.''
{{short description|5th season of the Premier League}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox football league season
|competition = [[Premier League|FA Premier League]]
|season = [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97]]
|dates = 17 August 1996 – 11 May 1997
|winners = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]<br />4th Premier League title<br />11th [[List of English football champions|English title]]
|continentalcup1 = [[1997–98 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]
|continentalcup1 qualifiers = Manchester United<br />[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|continentalcup2 = [[1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|Cup Winners' Cup]]
|continentalcup2 qualifiers = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|continentalcup3 = [[1997–98 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]
|continentalcup3 qualifiers = [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]<br />[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]<br />[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] (through [[UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking]])<br />[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]
|relegated = [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]<br />[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]<br />[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]
|league topscorer section = Top scorers
|league topscorer = [[Alan Shearer]]<br />(25 goals)
|best goalkeeper = [[Nigel Martyn]] (19 clean sheets)
|biggest home win = {{nowrap|[[Everton F.C.|Everton]] 7–1 [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]}}<br />(16 November 1996)<br />{{nowrap|Newcastle United 7–1 [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]}}<br />(28 December 1996)
|biggest away win = {{nowrap|[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] 0–4 Manchester United}}<br />(7 September 1996)<br />{{nowrap|Nottingham Forest 0–4 Manchester United}}<br />(26 December 1996)<br />{{nowrap|Sunderland 0–4 Tottenham Hotspur}}<br />(4 March 1997)
|highest scoring = {{nowrap|Southampton 6–3 Manchester United}}<br />(26 October 1996)
|matches = 380
|total goals = 970
|longest wins = 7 games<ref name="stats">{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1996-1997/longest-sequences/full |title=English Premier League 1996–97 |publisher=statto.com |access-date=13 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402105126/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1996-1997/longest-sequences/full |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />Newcastle United<br />[[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]
|longest unbeaten = 16 games<ref name="stats"/><br />Manchester United
|longest losses = 6 games<ref name="stats"/><br />Everton
|longest winless = 16 games<ref name="stats"/><br />Nottingham Forest
|highest attendance = 55,314<br />{{nowrap|Manchester United 2–1 Wimbledon}}<br />(29 January 1997)
|lowest attendance = 7,979<br />{{nowrap|Wimbledon 2–0 Leeds United}}<br />(16 April 1997)
|attendance = 10,818,380<ref name="attendance">{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/eng-premier-league-1996-1997/1/ |title=Premier League 1996/1997 » Attendance » Home matches |website=WorldFootball.net |access-date=12 January 2024 }}</ref>
|average attendance = 28,469<ref name="attendance" />
|prevseason = [[1995–96 FA Premier League|1995–96]]
|nextseason = [[1997–98 FA Premier League|1997–98]]
}}


The '''1996–97 FA Premier League''' (known as the '''FA [[Carling]] Premiership''' for sponsorship reasons) was the fifth season of the [[Premier League|FA Premier League]] since its formation in 1992. The majority of the season was contested by the reigning champions, [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], along with [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]. The title was eventually won by Manchester United, after Liverpool's and Newcastle's failure to win in their penultimate games of the season; at 75 points it is the lowest points total for a Premier League champion club and lowest since the [[Three points for a win|3-1-0 points system]] was introduced in the [[1981–82 Football League|1981–82 season]].
----


[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], who had high-profile foreign players like [[Juninho Paulista|Juninho]], [[Emerson (footballer, born 1972)|Emerson]], [[Fabrizio Ravanelli]] (who scored 31 goals in all competitions), [[Branco (footballer)|Branco]] and [[Gianluca Festa]], were relegated on the final day of the season and were on the losing side in both the [[1997 FA Cup final|FA Cup final]] and the [[1997 Football League Cup final|League Cup final]]. Middlesbrough finished in 19th place, but would have been placed 14th without a three-point deduction imposed for unilaterally postponing a 21 December 1996 fixture at [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], with the Middlesbrough board making the decision due to the absence of 23 players ill or injured.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4597743.stm "Football's biggest punishments".] Retrieved 20 September 2006.</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/2592133.stm "Funny Old Game|Happened on this day – 20 December".] Retrieved 20 September 2006.</ref> The club consulted the Premier League prior to calling off the fixture and was told to do 'what they thought best'. To protect the integrity of the game, and avoid fielding a team of untried teenagers including three goalkeepers, Middlesbrough called off the match. The Premier League subsequently absolved itself of all responsibility and deducted the three points. This sanction meant [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], who had been in the top division since 1967, finished in 17th place and avoided relegation. The decision was controversial, and later resurfaced in 2006–07 when [[2006–07 FA Premier League#Relegation controversy|West Ham escaped a points deduction]] and subsequently avoided relegation.
[[1996]]-[[1997|97]] was the fifth season of the [[FA Premier League]]. It was also the more closely contested than any of the four previous campaigns. In the end, [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] won the title with 75 points, while [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] finished second, third and fourth respectively, all with 68 points. Fifth place went to [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], so for the first time in top division [[football (soccer)|football]] the top five teams were the same for the second year running - although not in the same order.


Another relegation place went to [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]], who sacked manager [[Frank Clark (footballer)|Frank Clark]] in December. [[Stuart Pearce]] took over as temporary player-manager, spending three months in charge and winning the January 1997 Manager of the Month award. In March, Pearce quit as manager to be replaced by [[Dave Bassett]], formerly of Crystal Palace. Also relegated, due to a 1–0 defeat to Wimbledon in their last game of the season, was [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], who were leaving [[Roker Park]] after 99 years and relocating to the 42,000-seat [[Stadium of Light]] on the banks of the [[River Wear]] for the start of the 1997–98 season in [[Football League Championship|Division One]].
Manchester United's fourth Premiership title came at the end of a season which was occasionally marred by several disappointments. In late October, they conceded a total of 13 goals in three successive defeats against Newcastle, [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] and [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]. In the same period, they also lost their 40-year unbeaten home record in [[Europe]] after losing 1-0 to [[Turkey|Turkish]] minnows [[Fenerbahçe SK|Fenerbahçe]] in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] group stage. Despite this, and another home defeat in the group stage against [[Juventus]], they reached the competition's semi finals for the first time in 28 years before finally bowing out to eventual winners [[Borussia Dortmund]]. They were also knocked out of the [[FA Cup]] for the first time since [[1993]] after losing 1-0 in a replay away to [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]. Two weeks after the end of the season, Manchester United's influencial captain [[Eric Cantona]] announced his retirement from football at the age of 31 and sent shockwaves throughout football. He was idolized by many throughout football and his retirement was met by a reaction of stunned shock from players and fans alike.


==Teams==
On the positive side, Manchester United unearthed a new star in 23-year-old [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[striker]] [[Ole Gunnar Solskjær]] - a little known £1.5million striker signed from [[Molde F.K.]] the previous summer. Another Norwegian, centre half [[Ronny Johnsen]], had joined United and proved to be a key player in their championship success. In contrast, £3.5million [[Czech people|Czech]] winger [[Karel Poborsky]] was disappointing and failed to win a regular place in the team.
Twenty teams competed in the league – the top seventeen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the [[1995–96 Football League First Division|First Division]]. The promoted teams were [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] (both teams returning to the top flight after a five-year absence) and [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] (immediately returning to the top flight after a season's absence). This was also both Sunderland and Derby County's first season in the Premier League. They replaced [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]], [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] and [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], who were relegated to the [[1996–97 Football League First Division|First Division]] after their top flight spells of seven, thirteen and one year respectively.


===Stadiums and locations===
F.A Cup winners were Chelsea, whose [[Netherlands|Dutch]] manager [[Ruud Gullit]] became the first foreign manager to win the famous trophy. He was also in his first season of management, having taken over at [[Chelsea F.C.|Stamford Bridge]] the previous summer after [[Glenn Hoddle]] became the new England manager. A 2-0 win over [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in the final saw a major trophy grace the Stamford Bridge boardroom for the first time since [[1971]].
{{location map+ |England |width=440 |float=right |caption=Locations of the 1996–97 Premier League teams |places=
{{location map~ |England |lat=51.5155|long=-0.0922|label_size=80|label=London|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.509103 |long=-1.884786 |label_size=80|label=[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.728569 |long=-2.489206 |label_size=80|label=[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|{{nowrap|Blackburn Rovers}}]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.448111 |long=-1.495611 |label_size=80|label=[[Coventry City F.C.|{{nowrap|Coventry City}}]]|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.914911 |long=-1.447233 |label_size=80|label=[[Derby County F.C.|{{nowrap|Derby County}}]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.438846 |long=-2.966285 |label_size=80|label=[[Everton F.C.|Everton]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.704069 |long=-1.341731 |label_size=80|label=[[Leeds United F.C.|{{nowrap|Leeds United}}]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.611402 |long=-1.082508 |label_size=80|label=[[Leicester City F.C.|{{nowrap|Leicester City}}]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.430845 |long=-2.960823 |label_size=80|label=[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.47 |long=-2.25 |label_size=80|label=[[Manchester United F.C.|{{nowrap|Manchester&nbsp;United}}]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=54.578219 |long=-1.216822 |label_size=80|label=[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=54.974 |long=-1.614 |label_size=80|label=[[Newcastle United F.C.|{{nowrap|Newcastle United}}]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=52.939936 |long=-1.132886 |label_size=80|label=[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|{{nowrap|Nottingham Forest}}]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=53.370342 |long=-1.470853 |label_size=80|label=[[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|{{nowrap|Sheffield Wednesday}}]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=50.905826 |long=-1.390975 |label_size=80|label=[[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |England |lat=54.914400 |long=-1.388200 |label_size=80|label=[[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]|position=bottom}}


<!--DISPLAY OF LONDON TEAMS IN UPPER RIGHT CORNER-->
[[League Cup]] winners were newly promoted [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], who began the season as relegation favourites. But the East Midlanders, managed by [[Martin O'Neill]], surprised all the observers by beating Middlesbrough after a replay in the League Cup final and finished ninth in the Premiership.
{{Location map~ |England |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=55.7 |long=-0.2 |label_size=80|label='''[[Football in London|London]]&nbsp;teams:'''<br />
[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]<br />
[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]<br />
[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham&nbsp;Hotspur]]<br/>
[[West Ham United F.C.|{{nowrap|West Ham United}}]]<br/>
[[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]
|position=right}}
}}


{{Location map+|Greater London
Middlesbrough, despite spending millions of pounds on high profile foreign players like Emerson, [[Fabrizio Ravanelli]] (who scored 31 goals in all competitions), Branco and Gianluca Festa, were on the losing side in both cup finals and were relegated on the final day of the season. Their relegation was due to a 3-point deduction imposed for cancelling a December fixture against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], with the Middlesbrough board blaming the decision on the absence of 18 players due to a flu bug. This sanction also helped [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], who had been in the top division since [[1967]], secure Premiership safety once again.
|width=300
|float=right
|caption=Greater London Premier League football clubs
|alt=Greater London Premier League football clubs
|places =
{{Location map~ |Greater London |lat=51.552 |long=-0.097 |mark=Blue pog.svg |label='''[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'''|label_size=75|marksize=|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Greater London |lat=51.481667 |long=-0.191111 |mark=Blue pog.svg |label='''[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]'''|label_size=75|marksize=|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |Greater London |lat=51.5974 |long=-0.0716 |mark=Blue pog.svg |label='''[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|{{nowrap|Tottenham<br />Hotspur}}]]'''|label_size=75|marksize=|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |Greater London |lat=51.531944 |long=0.039444|mark=Blue pog.svg |label='''[[West Ham United F.C.|{{nowrap|West Ham United}}]]'''|label_size=75|marksize=|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |Greater London |lat=51.398333 |long=-0.085556|mark=Blue pog.svg |label='''[[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]'''|label_size=75|marksize=|position=right}}
}}


{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;"
The other relegation places went to [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]], who sacked [[Frank Clark]] in December after a bad start to the season. [[Stuart Pearce]] took over as temporary player-manager, spending three months in charge and winning the January Manager of the Month award. In March, Pearce quit as manager to be replaced by [[David Bassett]], whose [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] side eventually crossed places with Forest. Also going down were Sunderland, who were also leaving [[Roker Park]] after 99 years and relocating to the 42,000-seat [[Stadium of Light]] on the banks of the [[River Wear]].
! Team
! Location
! Stadium
! Capacity
|-
| [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| [[London]] {{small|([[Highbury]])}}
| [[Arsenal Stadium]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|38,419}}
|-
| [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
| [[Birmingham]]
| [[Villa Park]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|39,399}}
|-
| [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
| [[Blackburn]]
| [[Ewood Park]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|31,367}}
|-
| [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| London {{small|([[Fulham]])}}
| [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|36,000}}
|-
| [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
| [[Coventry]]
| [[Highfield Road]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|23,489}}
|-
| [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
| [[Derby]]
| [[Baseball Ground]]{{efn|This was Derby County's last season at Baseball Ground as they were scheduled to relocate to the [[Pride Park Stadium]] at the end of the season.}}
| align="center" | {{Nts|18,300}}
|-
| [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
| [[Liverpool]] {{small|([[Walton, Liverpool|Walton]])}}
| [[Goodison Park]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|40,157}}
|-
| [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
| [[Leeds]]
| [[Elland Road]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|40,204}}
|-
| [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]
| [[Leicester]]
| [[Filbert Street]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|22,000}}
|-
| [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| Liverpool {{small|([[Anfield (suburb)|Anfield]])}}
| [[Anfield]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|42,730}}
|-
| [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| [[Manchester]]
| [[Old Trafford]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|55,314}}
|-
| [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
| [[Middlesbrough]]
| [[Riverside Stadium]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|30,000}}
|-
| [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
| [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]
| [[St James' Park]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|36,649}}
|-
| [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]
| [[West Bridgford]]
| [[City Ground]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|30,539}}
|-
| [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]
| [[Sheffield]]
| [[Hillsborough Stadium]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|39,859}}
|-
| [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
| [[Southampton]]
| [[The Dell (Southampton)|The Dell]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|15,200}}
|-
| [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
| [[Sunderland]]
| [[Roker Park]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|22,500}}
|-
| [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
| London {{small|([[Tottenham]])}}
| [[White Hart Lane]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|36,230}}
|-
| [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
| London {{small|([[Upton Park, London|Upton Park]])}}
| [[Boleyn Ground]]
| align="center" | {{Nts|28,000}}
|-
| [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]
| London {{small|([[Selhurst]])}}
| [[Selhurst Park]]{{efn|Due to Wimbledon lacking a home stadium, they played their home games at Selhurst Park, which is the home stadium of [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]].}}
| align="center" | {{Nts|26,309}}
|}
{{notelist}}


===Personnel and kits===
Going up to the Premiership were [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] (champions with 98 points), [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] (runners-up and promoted to the top division for the first time ever) and Crystal Palace (their third promotion to the top division in less than a decade).


(as of 11 May 1997)
==Final League Table==
<!---Only one link per kit maker and sponsor, please.--->
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;"
! Team
! Manager
! Captain
! Kit manufacturer
! Shirt sponsor
|-
|Arsenal
|{{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Arsène Wenger]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tony Adams]]
|[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
|[[JVC]]
|-
|Aston Villa
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Brian Little]]
|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Andy Townsend]]
|[[Reebok]]
|[[AST Research]]
|-
|Blackburn Rovers
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tony Parkes]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tim Sherwood]]
|[[ASICS|Asics]]
|[[The Co-operative Insurance|CIS]]
|-
|Chelsea
|{{flagicon|NED}} [[Ruud Gullit]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dennis Wise]]
|[[Umbro]]
|[[Coors Brewing Company|Coors]]
|-
|Coventry City
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gordon Strachan]]
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gary McAllister]]
|[[Le Coq Sportif]]
|[[Peugeot]]
|-
|Derby County
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jim Smith (footballer, born 1940)|Jim Smith]]
|{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Igor Štimac]]
|[[Puma AG|Puma]]
|Puma
|-
|Everton
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dave Watson]] <small>(caretaker)</small>
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Dave Watson
|Umbro
|Danka
|-
|Leeds United
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[George Graham (footballer, born 1944)|George Graham]]
|{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Lucas Radebe]]
|Puma
|[[Packard Bell]]
|-
|Leicester City
|{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Martin O'Neill]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Walsh (footballer)|Steve Walsh]]
|Fox Leisure
|[[Walkers (snack foods)|Walkers]]
|-
|Liverpool
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Roy Evans]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Barnes (footballer)|John Barnes]]
|Reebok
|[[Carlsberg Group|Carlsberg]]
|-
|Manchester United
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Alex Ferguson]]
|{{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Eric Cantona]]
|Umbro
|[[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]]
|-
|Middlesbrough
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bryan Robson]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Nigel Pearson]]
|[[Erreà]]
|[[O2 (United Kingdom)|Cellnet]]
|-
|Newcastle United
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Kenny Dalglish]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Beardsley]]
|[[Adidas]]
|[[Newcastle Brown Ale]]
|-
|Nottingham Forest
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dave Bassett]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stuart Pearce]]
|Umbro
|[[Labatt Brewing Company|Labatt's]]
|-
|Sheffield Wednesday
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Pleat]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Atherton (footballer)|Peter Atherton]]
|Puma
|Sanderson
|-
|Southampton
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Graeme Souness]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Matt Le Tissier]]
|[[Pony International|Pony]]
|Sanderson
|-
|Sunderland
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Reid]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Kevin Ball]]
|Avec
|[[Vaux Breweries]]
|-
|Tottenham Hotspur
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gerry Francis]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gary Mabbutt]]
|Pony
|[[Hewlett-Packard]]
|-
|West Ham United
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Harry Redknapp]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Julian Dicks]]
|Pony
|Dagenham Motors
|-
|Wimbledon
|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Joe Kinnear]]
|{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Vinnie Jones]]
|[[Lotto Sport Italia|Lotto]]
|[[Elonex]]
|}


===Managerial changes===
{| ! width="80%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border:1px solid #000000;"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Final League Table for FA Premier League 1996-97 Season'''
|
{| ! width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"
| || '''Team''' || '''P''' || '''W''' || '''D''' || '''L''' || '''F''' || '''A''' || '''Pts'''
|- ! style="background:#BBBBDD;"
| 1 || Manchester United || 38 || 21 || 12 || 5 || 76 || 44 || 75
|-
|-
! Team
| 2 || Newcastle United || 38 || 19 || 11 || 8 || 73 || 40 || 68
! Outgoing manager
|- ! style="background:#CCCCFF;"
! Manner of departure
| 3 || Arsenal || 38 || 19 || 11 || 8 || 62 || 32 || 68
! Date of vacancy
! Position in table
! Incoming manager
! Date of appointment
|-
|-
| [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| 4 || Liverpool || 38 || 19 || 11 || 8 || 62 || 37 || 68
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Glenn Hoddle]]
|- ! style="background:#BBBBDD;"
| Signed by England
| 5 || Aston Villa || 38 || 17 || 10 || 11 || 47 || 34 || 61
| 10 May 1996
|rowspan=3| ''Pre-season''
| {{flagicon|NED}} [[Ruud Gullit]]
| 10 May 1996
|-
|-
| [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
| 6 || Chelsea || 38 || 16 || 11 || 11 || 58 || 55 || 59
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dave Merrington]]
|- ! style="background:#CCCCFF;"
|rowspan=3| Sacked
| 7 || Sheffield Wednesday || 38 || 14 || 15 || 9 || 50 || 51 || 57
| 14 June 1996
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Graeme Souness]]
| 3 July 1996
|-
|-
| [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| 8 || Wimbledon || 38 || 15 || 11 || 12 || 49 || 46 || 56
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Bruce Rioch]]
|- ! style="background:#BBBBDD;"
| 12 August 1996
| 9 || Leicester City || 38 || 12 || 11 || 15 || 46 || 54 || 47
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Stewart Houston]] (caretaker)
| 12 August 1996
|-
|-
| [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
| 10 || Tottenham Hotspur || 38 || 13 || 7 || 18 || 44 || 51 || 46
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Howard Wilkinson]]
|- ! style="background:#CCCCFF;"
| 10 September 1996
| 11 || Leeds United || 38 || 11 || 13 || 14 || 28 || 38 || 46
| 9th
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[George Graham (footballer, born 1944)|George Graham]]
| 10 September 1996
|-
|-
|rowspan=2| [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| 12 || Derby County || 38 || 11 || 13 || 14 || 45 || 58 || 64
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Stewart Houston]]
|- ! style="background:#BBBBDD;"
| Signed by Queens Park Rangers
| 13 || Blackburn Rovers || 38 || 9 || 15 || 14 || 42 || 43 || 42
| 16 September 1996
| 7th
| {{flagicon|NIR}} [[Pat Rice]] (caretaker)
| 16 September 1996
|-
|-
| {{flagicon|NIR}} [[Pat Rice]]
| 14 || West Ham United || 38 || 10 || 12 || 16 || 39 || 48 || 42
| End of caretaker spell
|- ! style="background:#CCCCFF;"
| 30 September 1996
| 15 || Everton || 38 || 10 || 12 || 16 || 44 || 57 || 42
| 3rd
| {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Arsène Wenger]]
| 30 September 1996
|-
|-
| [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
| 16 || Southampton || 38 || 10 || 11 || 17 || 50 || 56 || 41
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ray Harford]]
|- ! style="background:#BBBBDD;"
| Resigned
| 17 || Coventry City || 38 || 9 || 14 || 15 || 38 || 54 || 41
| 25 October 1996
| 20th
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tony Parkes]] (caretaker)
| 25 October 1996
|-
|-
| [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
| 18 || Sunderland || 38 || 10 || 10 || 18 || 35 || 53 || 40
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ron Atkinson]]
|- ! style="background:#CCCCFF;"
| Promoted to [[director of football]]
| 19 || Middlesbrough || 38 || 10 || 12 || 16 || 51 || 60 || 39*
| 5 November 1996
| 18th
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gordon Strachan]]
| 5 November 1996
|-
| [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Frank Clark (footballer)|Frank Clark]]
|rowspan=2| Resigned
| 19 December 1996
| 20th
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stuart Pearce]] (caretaker)
| 20 December 1996
|-
|rowspan=2| [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Kevin Keegan]]
| 8 January 1997
|rowspan=2| 4th
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Terry McDermott]] (caretaker)
| 8 January 1997
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Terry McDermott]]
| End of caretaker spell
| 14 January 1997
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Kenny Dalglish]]
| 14 January 1997
|-
| [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Joe Royle]]
| Resigned
| 27 March 1997
| 13th
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dave Watson]] (caretaker)
| 1 April 1997
|-
|-
| 20 || Nottingham Forest || 38 || 6 || 16 || 16 || 31 || 59 || 34
|}
|}
|}


==League table==
<small>* Middlesborough had 3 points deducted for failing to fulfill fixture</small>
<onlyinclude>{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=QR
|show_limit=5


|team1=MUN|name_MUN=[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
<small>P = Games Played; W = Games Won; D = Games Drawn; L = Games Lost; F = Goals For; A = Goals Against; Pts = Points</small>
|team2=NEW|name_NEW=[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|team3=ARS|name_ARS=[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|team4=LIV|name_LIV=[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|team5=AST|name_AST=[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|team6=CHE|name_CHE=[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|team7=SHW|name_SHW=[[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]
|team8=WDN|name_WDN=[[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]
|team9=LEI|name_LEI=[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]
|team10=TOT|name_TOT=[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
|team11=LEE|name_LEE=[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
|team12=DER|name_DER=[[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
|team13=BLB|name_BLB=[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|team14=WHU|name_WHU=[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|team15=EVE|name_EVE=[[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
|team16=SOU|name_SOU=[[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
|team17=COV|name_COV=[[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
|team18=SUN|name_SUN=[[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
|team19=MID|name_MID=[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
|team20=NOT|name_NOT=[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]
|win_MUN=21|draw_MUN=12|loss_MUN=5|gf_MUN=76|ga_MUN=44|status_MUN=C
|win_NEW=19|draw_NEW=11|loss_NEW=8|gf_NEW=73|ga_NEW=40
|win_ARS=19|draw_ARS=11|loss_ARS=8|gf_ARS=62|ga_ARS=32
|win_LIV=19|draw_LIV=11|loss_LIV=8|gf_LIV=62|ga_LIV=37
|win_AST=17|draw_AST=10|loss_AST=11|gf_AST=47|ga_AST=34
|win_CHE=16|draw_CHE=11|loss_CHE=11|gf_CHE=58|ga_CHE=55
|win_SHW=14|draw_SHW=15|loss_SHW=9|gf_SHW=50|ga_SHW=51
|win_WDN=15|draw_WDN=11|loss_WDN=12|gf_WDN=49|ga_WDN=46
|win_LEI=12|draw_LEI=11|loss_LEI=15|gf_LEI=46|ga_LEI=54
|win_TOT=13|draw_TOT=7|loss_TOT=18|gf_TOT=44|ga_TOT=51
|win_LEE=11|draw_LEE=13|loss_LEE=14|gf_LEE=28|ga_LEE=38
|win_DER=11|draw_DER=13|loss_DER=14|gf_DER=45|ga_DER=58
|win_BLB=9|draw_BLB=15|loss_BLB=14|gf_BLB=42|ga_BLB=43
|win_WHU=10|draw_WHU=12|loss_WHU=16|gf_WHU=39|ga_WHU=48
|win_EVE=10|draw_EVE=12|loss_EVE=16|gf_EVE=44|ga_EVE=57
|win_SOU=10|draw_SOU=11|loss_SOU=17|gf_SOU=50|ga_SOU=56
|win_COV=9|draw_COV=14|loss_COV=15|gf_COV=38|ga_COV=54
|win_SUN=10|draw_SUN=10|loss_SUN=18|gf_SUN=35|ga_SUN=53|status_SUN=R
|win_MID=10|draw_MID=12|loss_MID=16|gf_MID=51|ga_MID=60|adjust_points_MID=-3|status_MID=R
|win_NOT=6|draw_NOT=16|loss_NOT=16|gf_NOT=31|ga_NOT=59|status_NOT=R
|hth_MID=Middlesbrough were docked three points for failing to fulfill their original fixture at [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] on 21st December 1996.


|col_CLGS=green1|text_CLGS=Qualification for the [[1997–98 UEFA Champions League#Group stage|Champions League group stage]]
==Top goal scorers==
|result1=CLGS
|col_CL2=green2|text_CL2=Qualification for the [[1997–98 UEFA Champions League#Second qualifying round|Champions League second qualifying round]]
|result2=CL2
|col_UC1=blue1|text_UC1=Qualification for the [[1997–98 UEFA Cup#First round|UEFA Cup first round]]
|note_res_UC1=[[Aston Villa]] was rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through [[UEFA Fair Play ranking]].
|result3=UC1|result4=UC1|result5=UC1
|col_UCWC1=yellow1|text_UCWC1=Qualification for the [[1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup#First round|Cup Winners' Cup first round]]
|note_res_UCWC1=Chelsea qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as [[1996–97 FA Cup|FA Cup]] [[1997 FA Cup final|winners]].
|result6=UCWC1
|col_LEI=blue1|text_LEI=Qualification for the [[1997–98 UEFA Cup#First round|UEFA Cup first round]]
|note_res_LEI=Leicester City qualified for the UEFA Cup as [[1996–97 Football League Cup|League Cup]] [[1997 Football League Cup final|winners]].
|result9=LEI
|col_R=red1|text_R=Relegation to the [[1997–98 Football League#Football League First Division|Football League First Division]]
|result18=R|result19=R|result20=R
|update=complete
|class_rules=1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
|source=[https://www.premierleague.com/tables?co=1&se=5&ha=-1 Premier League]
}}</onlyinclude>


==Results==
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse:collapse;"
{{#invoke:Sports results|main
|matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey
|team1=ARS|team2=AVL|team3=BLB|team4=CHE|team5=COV
|team6=DER|team7=EVE|team8=LEE|team9=LEI|team10=LIV
|team11=MUN|team12=MID|team13=NEW|team14=NFO|team15=SHW
|team16=SOU|team17=SUN|team18=TOT|team19=WHU|team20=WIM

|name_ARS=[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|match_ARS_AVL=2–2
|match_ARS_BLB=1–1
|match_ARS_CHE=[[Arsenal F.C. and Chelsea F.C. rivalry|3–3]]
|match_ARS_COV=0–0
|match_ARS_DER=2–2
|match_ARS_EVE=3–1
|match_ARS_LEE=3–0
|match_ARS_LEI=2–0
|match_ARS_LIV=1–2
|match_ARS_MUN=1–2
|match_ARS_MID=2–0
|match_ARS_NEW=0–1
|match_ARS_NFO=2–0
|match_ARS_SHW=4–1
|match_ARS_SOU=3–1
|match_ARS_SUN=2–0
|match_ARS_TOT=[[North London derby|3–1]]
|match_ARS_WHU=2–0
|match_ARS_WIM=0–1

|name_AVL=[[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
|match_AVL_ARS=2–2
|match_AVL_BLB=1–0
|match_AVL_CHE=0–2
|match_AVL_COV=2–1
|match_AVL_DER=2–0
|match_AVL_EVE=3–1
|match_AVL_LEE=2–0
|match_AVL_LEI=1–3
|match_AVL_LIV=1–0
|match_AVL_MUN=0–0
|match_AVL_MID=1–0
|match_AVL_NEW=2–2
|match_AVL_NFO=2–0
|match_AVL_SHW=0–1
|match_AVL_SOU=1–0
|match_AVL_SUN=1–0
|match_AVL_TOT=1–1
|match_AVL_WHU=0–0
|match_AVL_WIM=5–0

|name_BLB=[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|match_BLB_ARS=0–2
|match_BLB_AVL=0–2
|match_BLB_CHE=1–1
|match_BLB_COV=4–0
|match_BLB_DER=1–2
|match_BLB_EVE=1–1
|match_BLB_LEE=0–1
|match_BLB_LEI=2–4
|match_BLB_LIV=3–0
|match_BLB_MUN=2–3
|match_BLB_MID=0–0
|match_BLB_NEW=1–0
|match_BLB_NFO=1–1
|match_BLB_SHW=4–1
|match_BLB_SOU=2–1
|match_BLB_SUN=1–0
|match_BLB_TOT=0–2
|match_BLB_WHU=2–1
|match_BLB_WIM=3–1

|name_CHE=[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|match_CHE_ARS=[[Arsenal F.C. and Chelsea F.C. rivalry|0–3]]
|match_CHE_AVL=1–1
|match_CHE_BLB=1–1
|match_CHE_COV=2–0
|match_CHE_DER=3–1
|match_CHE_EVE=2–2
|match_CHE_LEE=[[Chelsea F.C.–Leeds United F.C. rivalry|0–0]]
|match_CHE_LEI=2–1
|match_CHE_LIV=1–0
|match_CHE_MUN=1–1
|match_CHE_MID=1–0
|match_CHE_NEW=1–1
|match_CHE_NFO=1–1
|match_CHE_SHW=2–2
|match_CHE_SOU=1–0
|match_CHE_SUN=6–2
|match_CHE_TOT=3–1
|match_CHE_WHU=3–1
|match_CHE_WIM=2–4

|name_COV=[[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
|match_COV_ARS=1–1
|match_COV_AVL=1–2
|match_COV_BLB=0–0
|match_COV_CHE=3–1
|match_COV_DER=1–2
|match_COV_EVE=0–0
|match_COV_LEE=2–1
|match_COV_LEI=[[M69 derby|0–0]]
|match_COV_LIV=0–1
|match_COV_MUN=0–2
|match_COV_MID=3–0
|match_COV_NEW=2–1
|match_COV_NFO=0–3
|match_COV_SHW=0–0
|match_COV_SOU=1–1
|match_COV_SUN=2–2
|match_COV_TOT=1–2
|match_COV_WHU=1–3
|match_COV_WIM=1–1

|name_DER=[[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
|match_DER_ARS=1–3
|match_DER_AVL=2–1
|match_DER_BLB=0–0
|match_DER_CHE=3–2
|match_DER_COV=2–1
|match_DER_EVE=0–1
|match_DER_LEE=3–3
|match_DER_LEI=[[Derby County F.C.–Leicester City F.C. rivalry|2–0]]
|match_DER_LIV=0–1
|match_DER_MUN=1–1
|match_DER_MID=2–1
|match_DER_NEW=0–1
|match_DER_NFO=[[Derby County F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|0–0]]
|match_DER_SHW=2–2
|match_DER_SOU=1–1
|match_DER_SUN=1–0
|match_DER_TOT=4–2
|match_DER_WHU=1–0
|match_DER_WIM=0–2

|name_EVE=[[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
|match_EVE_ARS=0–2
|match_EVE_AVL=0–1
|match_EVE_BLB=0–2
|match_EVE_CHE=1–2
|match_EVE_COV=1–1
|match_EVE_DER=1–0
|match_EVE_LEE=0–0
|match_EVE_LEI=1–1
|match_EVE_LIV=[[Merseyside derby|1–1]]
|match_EVE_MUN=0–2
|match_EVE_MID=1–2
|match_EVE_NEW=2–0
|match_EVE_NFO=2–0
|match_EVE_SHW=2–0
|match_EVE_SOU=7–1
|match_EVE_SUN=1–3
|match_EVE_TOT=1–0
|match_EVE_WHU=2–1
|match_EVE_WIM=1–3

|name_LEE=[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
|match_LEE_ARS=0–0
|match_LEE_AVL=0–0
|match_LEE_BLB=0–0
|match_LEE_CHE=[[Chelsea F.C.–Leeds United F.C. rivalry|2–0]]
|match_LEE_COV=1–3
|match_LEE_DER=0–0
|match_LEE_EVE=1–0
|match_LEE_LEI=3–0
|match_LEE_LIV=0–2
|match_LEE_MUN=0–4
|match_LEE_MID=1–1
|match_LEE_NEW=0–1
|match_LEE_NFO=2–0
|match_LEE_SHW=0–2
|match_LEE_SOU=0–0
|match_LEE_SUN=3–0
|match_LEE_TOT=0–0
|match_LEE_WHU=1–0
|match_LEE_WIM=1–0

|name_LEI=[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]
|match_LEI_ARS=0–2
|match_LEI_AVL=1–0
|match_LEI_BLB=1–1
|match_LEI_CHE=1–3
|match_LEI_COV=[[M69 derby|0–2]]
|match_LEI_DER=[[Derby County F.C.–Leicester City F.C. rivalry|4–2]]
|match_LEI_EVE=1–2
|match_LEI_LEE=1–0
|match_LEI_LIV=0–3
|match_LEI_MUN=2–2
|match_LEI_MID=1–3
|match_LEI_NEW=2–0
|match_LEI_NFO=[[Leicester City F.C. and Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|2–2]]
|match_LEI_SHW=1–0
|match_LEI_SOU=2–1
|match_LEI_SUN=1–1
|match_LEI_TOT=1–1
|match_LEI_WHU=0–1
|match_LEI_WIM=1–0

|name_LIV=[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|match_LIV_ARS=2–0
|match_LIV_AVL=3–0
|match_LIV_BLB=0–0
|match_LIV_CHE=5–1
|match_LIV_COV=1–2
|match_LIV_DER=2–1
|match_LIV_EVE=[[Merseyside derby|1–1]]
|match_LIV_LEE=4–0
|match_LIV_LEI=1–1
|match_LIV_MUN=[[Liverpool F.C. and Manchester United F.C. rivalry|1–3]]
|match_LIV_MID=5–1
|match_LIV_NEW=4–3
|match_LIV_NFO=4–2
|match_LIV_SHW=0–1
|match_LIV_SOU=2–1
|match_LIV_SUN=0–0
|match_LIV_TOT=2–1
|match_LIV_WHU=0–0
|match_LIV_WIM=1–1

|name_MUN=[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|match_MUN_ARS=1–0
|match_MUN_AVL=0–0
|match_MUN_BLB=2–2
|match_MUN_CHE=1–2
|match_MUN_COV=3–1
|match_MUN_DER=2–3
|match_MUN_EVE=2–2
|match_MUN_LEE=1–0
|match_MUN_LEI=3–1
|match_MUN_LIV=[[Liverpool F.C. and Manchester United F.C. rivalry|1–0]]
|match_MUN_MID=3–3
|match_MUN_NEW=0–0
|match_MUN_NFO=4–1
|match_MUN_SHW=2–0
|match_MUN_SOU=2–1
|match_MUN_SUN=5–0
|match_MUN_TOT=2–0
|match_MUN_WHU=2–0
|match_MUN_WIM=2–1

|name_MID=[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
|match_MID_ARS=0–2
|match_MID_AVL=3–2
|match_MID_BLB=2–1
|match_MID_CHE=1–0
|match_MID_COV=4–0
|match_MID_DER=6–1
|match_MID_EVE=4–2
|match_MID_LEE=0–0
|match_MID_LEI=0–2
|match_MID_LIV=3–3
|match_MID_MUN=2–2
|match_MID_NEW=[[Tyne–Tees derby|0–1]]
|match_MID_NFO=1–1
|match_MID_SHW=4–2
|match_MID_SOU=0–1
|match_MID_SUN=[[Tees–Wear derby|0–1]]
|match_MID_TOT=0–3
|match_MID_WHU=4–1
|match_MID_WIM=0–0

|name_NEW=[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|match_NEW_ARS=1–2
|match_NEW_AVL=4–3
|match_NEW_BLB=2–1
|match_NEW_CHE=3–1
|match_NEW_COV=4–0
|match_NEW_DER=3–1
|match_NEW_EVE=4–1
|match_NEW_LEE=3–0
|match_NEW_LEI=4–3
|match_NEW_LIV=1–1
|match_NEW_MUN=5–0
|match_NEW_MID=[[Tyne–Tees derby|3–1]]
|match_NEW_NFO=5–0
|match_NEW_SHW=1–2
|match_NEW_SOU=0–1
|match_NEW_SUN=[[Tees–Wear derby|1–1]]
|match_NEW_TOT=7–1
|match_NEW_WHU=1–1
|match_NEW_WIM=2–0

|name_NFO=[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]
|match_NFO_ARS=2–1
|match_NFO_AVL=0–0
|match_NFO_BLB=2–2
|match_NFO_CHE=2–0
|match_NFO_COV=0–1
|match_NFO_DER=[[Derby County F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|1–1]]
|match_NFO_EVE=0–1
|match_NFO_LEE=1–1
|match_NFO_LEI=[[Leicester City F.C. and Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|0–0]]
|match_NFO_LIV=1–1
|match_NFO_MUN=0–4
|match_NFO_MID=1–1
|match_NFO_NEW=0–0
|match_NFO_SHW=0–3
|match_NFO_SOU=1–3
|match_NFO_SUN=1–4
|match_NFO_TOT=2–1
|match_NFO_WHU=0–2
|match_NFO_WIM=1–1

|name_SHW=[[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]
|match_SHW_ARS=0–0
|match_SHW_AVL=2–1
|match_SHW_BLB=1–1
|match_SHW_CHE=0–2
|match_SHW_COV=0–0
|match_SHW_DER=0–0
|match_SHW_EVE=2–1
|match_SHW_LEE=2–2
|match_SHW_LEI=2–1
|match_SHW_LIV=1–1
|match_SHW_MUN=1–1
|match_SHW_MID=3–1
|match_SHW_NEW=1–1
|match_SHW_NFO=2–0
|match_SHW_SOU=1–1
|match_SHW_SUN=2–1
|match_SHW_TOT=2–1
|match_SHW_WHU=0–0
|match_SHW_WIM=3–1

|name_SOU=[[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
|match_SOU_ARS=0–2
|match_SOU_AVL=0–1
|match_SOU_BLB=2–0
|match_SOU_CHE=0–0
|match_SOU_COV=2–2
|match_SOU_DER=3–1
|match_SOU_EVE=2–2
|match_SOU_LEE=0–2
|match_SOU_LEI=2–2
|match_SOU_LIV=0–1
|match_SOU_MUN=6–3
|match_SOU_MID=4–0
|match_SOU_NEW=2–2
|match_SOU_NFO=2–2
|match_SOU_SHW=2–3
|match_SOU_SUN=3–0
|match_SOU_TOT=0–1
|match_SOU_WHU=2–0
|match_SOU_WIM=0–0

|name_SUN=[[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
|match_SUN_ARS=1–0
|match_SUN_AVL=1–0
|match_SUN_BLB=0–0
|match_SUN_CHE=3–0
|match_SUN_COV=1–0
|match_SUN_DER=2–0
|match_SUN_EVE=3–0
|match_SUN_LEE=0–1
|match_SUN_LEI=0–0
|match_SUN_LIV=1–2
|match_SUN_MUN=2–1
|match_SUN_MID=[[Tees–Wear derby|2–2]]
|match_SUN_NEW=[[Tyne–Wear derby|1–2]]
|match_SUN_NFO=1–1
|match_SUN_SHW=1–1
|match_SUN_SOU=0–1
|match_SUN_TOT=0–4
|match_SUN_WHU=0–0
|match_SUN_WIM=1–3

|name_TOT=[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
|match_TOT_ARS=[[North London derby|0–0]]
|match_TOT_AVL=1–0
|match_TOT_BLB=2–1
|match_TOT_CHE=1–2
|match_TOT_COV=1–2
|match_TOT_DER=1–1
|match_TOT_EVE=0–0
|match_TOT_LEE=1–0
|match_TOT_LEI=1–2
|match_TOT_LIV=0–2
|match_TOT_MUN=1–2
|match_TOT_MID=1–0
|match_TOT_NEW=1–2
|match_TOT_NFO=0–1
|match_TOT_SHW=1–1
|match_TOT_SOU=3–1
|match_TOT_SUN=2–0
|match_TOT_WHU=1–0
|match_TOT_WIM=1–0

|name_WHU=[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|match_WHU_ARS=1–2
|match_WHU_AVL=0–2
|match_WHU_BLB=2–1
|match_WHU_CHE=3–2
|match_WHU_COV=1–1
|match_WHU_DER=1–1
|match_WHU_EVE=2–2
|match_WHU_LEE=0–2
|match_WHU_LEI=1–0
|match_WHU_LIV=1–2
|match_WHU_MUN=2–2
|match_WHU_MID=0–0
|match_WHU_NEW=0–0
|match_WHU_NFO=0–1
|match_WHU_SHW=5–1
|match_WHU_SOU=2–1
|match_WHU_SUN=2–0
|match_WHU_TOT=4–3
|match_WHU_WIM=0–2

|name_WIM=[[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]
|match_WIM_ARS=2–2
|match_WIM_AVL=0–2
|match_WIM_BLB=1–0
|match_WIM_CHE=0–1
|match_WIM_COV=2–2
|match_WIM_DER=1–1
|match_WIM_EVE=4–0
|match_WIM_LEE=2–0
|match_WIM_LEI=1–3
|match_WIM_LIV=2–1
|match_WIM_MUN=0–3
|match_WIM_MID=1–1
|match_WIM_NEW=1–1
|match_WIM_NFO=1–0
|match_WIM_SHW=4–2
|match_WIM_SOU=3–1
|match_WIM_SUN=1–0
|match_WIM_TOT=1–0
|match_WIM_WHU=1–1

|update=complete
|source=[https://web.archive.org/web/20230101140205/https://www.11v11.com/competitions/premier-league/1997/matches/ 11v11]
}}

==Season statistics==

===Scoring===

====Top scorers====
[[File:Alan Shearer 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|Newcastle's [[Alan Shearer]] was the top scorer for the third and final time, with 25 goals.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!Rank
!Scorer
!Player
!Club
!Goals
!Goals
!Team
|-
|-
|align=center|1
|[[Alan Shearer]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Alan Shearer]]
|style="text-align:center;"|25
|[[Newcastle United F.C.]]
|Newcastle United
|align=center|25
|-
|-
|align=center|2
|[[Ian Wright]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ian Wright]]
|style="text-align:center;"|23
|[[Arsenal F.C.]]
|Arsenal
|align=center|23
|-
|-
|rowspan=2 align=center|3
|[[Robbie Fowler]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Robbie Fowler]]
|style="text-align:center;"|18
|[[Liverpool F.C.]]
|Liverpool
|rowspan=2 align=center|18
|-
|-
|[[Ole Gunnar Solskjaer]]
|{{flagicon|NOR}} [[Ole Gunnar Solskjær]]
|Manchester United
|style="text-align:center;"|18
|[[Manchester United F.C.]]
|-
|-
|align=center|5
|[[Dwight Yorke]]
|{{flagicon|TTO}} [[Dwight Yorke]]
|style="text-align:center;"|17
|[[Aston Villa F.C.]]
|Aston Villa
|align=center|17
|-
|rowspan=2 align=center|6
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Les Ferdinand]]
|Newcastle United
|rowspan=2 align=center|16
|-
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Fabrizio Ravanelli]]
|Middlesbrough
|-
|rowspan=2 align=center|8
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dion Dublin]]
|Coventry City
|rowspan=2 align=center|13
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Matt Le Tissier]]
|Southampton
|-
|rowspan=4 align=center|10
|{{flagicon|NED}} [[Dennis Bergkamp]]
|Arsenal
|rowspan=4 align=center|12
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Claridge]]
|Leicester City
|-
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stan Collymore]]
|Liverpool
|-
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Juninho Paulista|Juninho]]
|Middlesbrough
|}
|}


==== Hat-tricks ====
{{main|List of Premier League hat-tricks}}
[[File:Fabrizio Ravanelli 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|Middlesbrough's [[Fabrizio Ravanelli]] was the only player to score a hat-trick more than once during the 1996–97 season.]]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! For !! Against !! style="text-align:center"| Result !! Date !! Ref
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Kevin|Campbell|Kevin Campbell (footballer)}} || Nottingham Forest || Coventry City || 3–0 (A) || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|8|17}} ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/campbell-calls-tune-1310340.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/campbell-calls-tune-1310340.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Campbell calls tune |access-date=15 July 2009 |date=18 August 1996|first=Jon|last=Culley|work=The Independent |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|ITA}} {{sortname|Fabrizio|Ravanelli}} || Middlesbrough || Liverpool || 3–3 (H) || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|8|17}} ||<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article825249.ece |work=The Times |access-date=14 July 2009 |date=9 November 2002 |title=Middlesbrough v Liverpool |location=London}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ian|Wright}} || Arsenal || Sheffield Wednesday || 4–1 (H) || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|9|16}} ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footballwrights-hattrick-lifts-the-gloom-1363770.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footballwrights-hattrick-lifts-the-gloom-1363770.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription|title=Football: Wright's hat-trick lifts the gloom |access-date=15 July 2009 |date=17 September 1996|first=Glenn|last=Moore|work=The Independent |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|TRI}} {{sortname|Dwight|Yorke}}<sup>L</sup> || Aston Villa || Newcastle United || 4–3 (A) || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|9|30}} ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/yorkes-hattrick-in-vain-for-villa-1356262.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/yorkes-hattrick-in-vain-for-villa-1356262.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Yorke hat-trick in vain for Villa |access-date=15 July 2009 |date=1 October 1996 |first=Simon |last=Turnbull|work=The Independent |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|WAL}} {{sortname|Gary|Speed}} || Everton || Southampton || 7–1 (H) || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|11|16}} ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-speed-puts-foot-down-1352862.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-speed-puts-foot-down-1352862.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Football: Speed puts foot down |access-date=15 July 2009 |date=17 November 1996|first=Geoff|last=Brown|work=The Independent |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Robbie|Fowler}}<sup>4</sup> || Liverpool || Middlesbrough || 5–1 (H) || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|12|14}}||<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=242271|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=14 July 2009|title=Liverpool 5–1 Middlesbrough|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217222558/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=242271|archive-date=17 February 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Alan|Shearer}} || Newcastle United || Leicester City || 4–3 (H) || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|2|2}} ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-shearer-provides-newcastle-fantasy-1276647.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-shearer-provides-newcastle-fantasy-1276647.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Football: Shearer provides Newcastle fantasy |access-date=15 July 2009|date=3 February 1997 |work=The Independent |first=Guy|last=Hodgson |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Ian|Marshall|Ian Marshall (English footballer)}} || Leicester City || Derby County || 4–2 (H) || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|2|22}} ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-marshalls-triple-tale-of-the-unexpected-1280259.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-marshalls-triple-tale-of-the-unexpected-1280259.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |work=The Independent |date=23 February 1997 |access-date=15 July 2009 |title=Football: Marshall's triple tale of the unexpected |first=Norman |last=Fox |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|NOR}} {{sortname|Steffen|Iversen}} || Tottenham Hotspur || Sunderland || 4–0 (A) || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|3|4}} ||<ref>{{cite news |work=The Independent |access-date=15 July 2009 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-spurs-boosted-by-iversens-hattrick-1271210.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-spurs-boosted-by-iversens-hattrick-1271210.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription|title=Football: Spurs boosted by Iversen's hat-trick |first=Tommy|last=Stamiforth|date=5 March 1997 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|ITA}} {{sortname|Fabrizio|Ravanelli}} || Middlesbrough || Derby County || 6–1 (H) || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|3|5}} ||<ref>{{cite news |work=The Independent |access-date=15 July 2009 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ravanelli-hattrick-bodes-well-for-boro-1271371.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ravanelli-hattrick-bodes-well-for-boro-1271371.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Ravanelli hat-trick bodes well for Boro|first=Simon |last=Turnbull |date=6 March 1997 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Kevin|Gallacher}} || Blackburn Rovers || Wimbledon || 3–1 (H) || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|3|15}} ||<ref>{{cite news |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gallacher-takes-advantage-of-sullivans-sudden-relapse-1273352.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gallacher-takes-advantage-of-sullivans-sudden-relapse-1273352.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=15 July 2009 |date=17 March 1997 |title=Football: Gallacher takes advantage of Sullivan's sudden relapse|first=Dave |last=Hadfield |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Paul|Kitson}} || West Ham United || Sheffield Wednesday || 5–1 (H) || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|5|3}} ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-kitson-glory-day-1259742.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-kitson-glory-day-1259742.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Kitson glory day |access-date=15 July 2009 |date=4 May 1997|first=Bob |last=Houston |work=The Independent |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|}
:'''Note:''' <sup>4</sup> Player scored 4 goals; <sup>L</sup> Player finished on the losing side; (H) – Home; (A) – Away

====Top assists====
[[File:Eric Cantona Cannes 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|Manchester United's [[Eric Cantona]] assisted 12 goals for the club in the 1996–97 Premier League season.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Rank
! Player
! Club
! Assists<ref name=assists>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist |title=Statistical Leaders – 1997 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=5 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624144700/https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist |archive-date=24 June 2017}}</ref>
|-
| 1
| align="left" | {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Eric Cantona]]
| align="left" | Manchester United
| 12
|-
| 2
| align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Neal Ardley]]
| align="left" | Wimbledon
| 11
|-
| rowspan="4" | 3
| align="left" | {{flagicon|NED}} [[Dennis Bergkamp]]
| align="left" | Arsenal
| rowspan="4" | 9
|-
| align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Andy Hinchcliffe]]
| align="left" | Everton
|-
| align="left" | {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gary McAllister]]
| align="left" | Coventry City
|-
| align="left" | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Gianfranco Zola]]
| align="left" | Chelsea
|-
| rowspan="4" | 7
| align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Nick Barmby]]
| align="left" | Everton
| rowspan="4" | 8
|-
| align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Beckham]]
| align="left" | Manchester United
|-
| align="left" | {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Stig Inge Bjørnebye]]
| align="left" | Liverpool
|-
| align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Les Ferdinand]]
| align="left" | Newcastle United
|}

==Awards==
[[File:Souness.jpg|thumb|upright|Southampton's [[Graeme Souness]] was the only manager to win the Manager of the Month award more than once.]]

===Monthly awards===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Month
!colspan="2"|[[Premier League Manager of the Month|Manager of the Month]]
!colspan="2"|[[Premier League Player of the Month|Player of the Month]]
|-
!Manager
!Club
!Player
!Club
|-
|August
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Pleat]]
|Sheffield Wednesday
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Beckham]]
|Manchester United
|-
|September
|{{flagicon|IRE}} [[Joe Kinnear]]
|Wimbledon
|{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Patrik Berger]]
|Liverpool
|-
|October
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Graeme Souness]]
|Southampton
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Matt Le Tissier]]
|Southampton
|-
|November
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jim Smith (footballer, born 1940)|Jim Smith]]
|Derby County
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ian Wright]]
|Arsenal
|-
|December
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gordon Strachan]]
|Coventry City
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Gianfranco Zola]]
|Chelsea
|-
|January
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stuart Pearce]]
|Nottingham Forest
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tim Flowers]]
|Blackburn Rovers
|-
|February
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Alex Ferguson]]
|Manchester United
|{{flagicon|ENG}}{{efn|Earle was born in England, but made his debut for [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]] in September 1997.}} [[Robbie Earle]]
|Wimbledon
|-
|March
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bryan Robson]]
|Middlesbrough
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Juninho Paulista|Juninho]]
|Middlesbrough
|-
|April
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Graeme Souness]]
|Southampton
|{{flagicon|ENG}}{{efn|Evans was born in England, but made his debut for the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] in October 1997.}} [[Mickey Evans (footballer, born 1973)|Mickey Evans]]
|Southampton
|}

===Annual awards===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award
! Winner
! Club
|-
| [[Premier League Manager of the Season]]
| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Alex Ferguson]]<ref name="Premier League seasonal awards">[http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=466965&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsSpecialFeatures&breadcrumb=sfsub_breadcrumb "Seasonal Awards 1996/97"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318210313/http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=466965&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsSpecialFeatures&breadcrumb=sfsub_breadcrumb |date=18 March 2006 }}. Retrieved 20 September 2006.</ref>
| Manchester United
|-
| [[Premier League Player of the Season]]
| {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Juninho Paulista|Juninho]]<ref name="Premier League seasonal awards" />
| Middlesbrough
|-
| [[PFA Players' Player of the Year]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Alan Shearer]]<ref>[http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsPFAPlyr.html "England Player Honours – Professional Footballers' Association Players' Players of the Year".] Retrieved 20 September 2006.</ref>
| Newcastle United
|-
| [[PFA Young Player of the Year]]
| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Beckham]]<ref>[http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsPFAYngPlyr.html "England Player Honours – Professional Footballers' Association Young Players of the Year".] Retrieved 20 September 2006.</ref>
| Manchester United
|-
| [[FWA Footballer of the Year]]
| {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Gianfranco Zola]]<ref>[http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsFWAFbYr.html "England Player Honours – Football Writers' Association Footballers of the Year".] Retrieved 20 September 2006.</ref>
| Chelsea
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="13" | PFA Team of the Year
|-
| '''Goalkeeper'''
| colspan="12" align="center" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Seaman]] (Arsenal)
|-
| '''Defence'''
| colspan="3" align="center" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gary Neville]] (Manchester United)
| colspan="3" align="center" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tony Adams]] (Arsenal)
| colspan="3" align="center" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Mark Wright (footballer, born 1963)|Mark Wright]] (Liverpool)
| colspan="3" align="center" | {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Stig Inge Bjørnebye]] (Liverpool)
|-
| '''Midfield'''
| colspan="3" align="center" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Beckham]] (Manchester United)
| colspan="3" align="center" | {{flagicon|IRE}} [[Roy Keane]] (Manchester United)
| colspan="3" align="center" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Batty]] (Newcastle United)
| colspan="3" align="center" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve McManaman]] (Liverpool)
|-
| '''Attack'''
| colspan="6" align="center" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Alan Shearer]] (Newcastle United)
| colspan="6" align="center" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ian Wright]] (Arsenal)
|}

==See also==
* [[1996–97 in English football]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng97.html 1996–97 Premier League Season at RSSSF]

{{Premier League}}
{{1996–97 in English football}}
{{1996–97 in European Football (UEFA)}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 FA Premier League}}
{{FA_Premier_League}}
[[Category:Premiership seasons]]
[[Category:1996–97 FA Premier League| ]]
[[Category:1997 in sports]]
[[Category:Premier League seasons]]
[[Category:1996–97 in European association football leagues|Eng]]
[[Category:1996–97 in English football leagues]]

Latest revision as of 07:46, 25 April 2024

FA Premier League
Season1996–97
Dates17 August 1996 – 11 May 1997
ChampionsManchester United
4th Premier League title
11th English title
RelegatedSunderland
Middlesbrough
Nottingham Forest
Champions LeagueManchester United
Newcastle United
Cup Winners' CupChelsea
UEFA CupArsenal
Liverpool
Aston Villa (through UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking)
Leicester City
Matches played380
Goals scored970 (2.55 per match)
Top goalscorerAlan Shearer
(25 goals)
Best goalkeeperNigel Martyn (19 clean sheets)
Biggest home winEverton 7–1 Southampton
(16 November 1996)
Newcastle United 7–1 Tottenham Hotspur
(28 December 1996)
Biggest away winLeeds United 0–4 Manchester United
(7 September 1996)
Nottingham Forest 0–4 Manchester United
(26 December 1996)
Sunderland 0–4 Tottenham Hotspur
(4 March 1997)
Highest scoringSouthampton 6–3 Manchester United
(26 October 1996)
Longest winning run7 games[1]
Newcastle United
Wimbledon
Longest unbeaten run16 games[1]
Manchester United
Longest winless run16 games[1]
Nottingham Forest
Longest losing run6 games[1]
Everton
Highest attendance55,314
Manchester United 2–1 Wimbledon
(29 January 1997)
Lowest attendance7,979
Wimbledon 2–0 Leeds United
(16 April 1997)
Total attendance10,818,380[2]
Average attendance28,469[2]

The 1996–97 FA Premier League (known as the FA Carling Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the fifth season of the FA Premier League since its formation in 1992. The majority of the season was contested by the reigning champions, Manchester United, along with Newcastle United, Arsenal and Liverpool. The title was eventually won by Manchester United, after Liverpool's and Newcastle's failure to win in their penultimate games of the season; at 75 points it is the lowest points total for a Premier League champion club and lowest since the 3-1-0 points system was introduced in the 1981–82 season.

Middlesbrough, who had high-profile foreign players like Juninho, Emerson, Fabrizio Ravanelli (who scored 31 goals in all competitions), Branco and Gianluca Festa, were relegated on the final day of the season and were on the losing side in both the FA Cup final and the League Cup final. Middlesbrough finished in 19th place, but would have been placed 14th without a three-point deduction imposed for unilaterally postponing a 21 December 1996 fixture at Blackburn Rovers, with the Middlesbrough board making the decision due to the absence of 23 players ill or injured.[3][4] The club consulted the Premier League prior to calling off the fixture and was told to do 'what they thought best'. To protect the integrity of the game, and avoid fielding a team of untried teenagers including three goalkeepers, Middlesbrough called off the match. The Premier League subsequently absolved itself of all responsibility and deducted the three points. This sanction meant Coventry City, who had been in the top division since 1967, finished in 17th place and avoided relegation. The decision was controversial, and later resurfaced in 2006–07 when West Ham escaped a points deduction and subsequently avoided relegation.

Another relegation place went to Nottingham Forest, who sacked manager Frank Clark in December. Stuart Pearce took over as temporary player-manager, spending three months in charge and winning the January 1997 Manager of the Month award. In March, Pearce quit as manager to be replaced by Dave Bassett, formerly of Crystal Palace. Also relegated, due to a 1–0 defeat to Wimbledon in their last game of the season, was Sunderland, who were leaving Roker Park after 99 years and relocating to the 42,000-seat Stadium of Light on the banks of the River Wear for the start of the 1997–98 season in Division One.

Teams[edit]

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 Sunderland, Derby County (both teams returning to the top flight after a five-year absence) and Leicester City (immediately returning to the top flight after a season's absence). This was also both Sunderland and Derby County's first season in the Premier League. They replaced Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers and Bolton Wanderers, who were relegated to the First Division after their top flight spells of seven, thirteen and one year respectively.

Stadiums and locations[edit]

class=notpageimage|
Locations of the 1996–97 Premier League teams
class=notpageimage|
Greater London Premier League football clubs
Team Location Stadium Capacity
Arsenal London (Highbury) Arsenal Stadium 38,419
Aston Villa Birmingham Villa Park 39,399
Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Ewood Park 31,367
Chelsea London (Fulham) Stamford Bridge 36,000
Coventry City Coventry Highfield Road 23,489
Derby County Derby Baseball Ground[a] 18,300
Everton Liverpool (Walton) Goodison Park 40,157
Leeds United Leeds Elland Road 40,204
Leicester City Leicester Filbert Street 22,000
Liverpool Liverpool (Anfield) Anfield 42,730
Manchester United Manchester Old Trafford 55,314
Middlesbrough Middlesbrough Riverside Stadium 30,000
Newcastle United Newcastle upon Tyne St James' Park 36,649
Nottingham Forest West Bridgford City Ground 30,539
Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Hillsborough Stadium 39,859
Southampton Southampton The Dell 15,200
Sunderland Sunderland Roker Park 22,500
Tottenham Hotspur London (Tottenham) White Hart Lane 36,230
West Ham United London (Upton Park) Boleyn Ground 28,000
Wimbledon London (Selhurst) Selhurst Park[b] 26,309
  1. ^ This was Derby County's last season at Baseball Ground as they were scheduled to relocate to the Pride Park Stadium at the end of the season.
  2. ^ Due to Wimbledon lacking a home stadium, they played their home games at Selhurst Park, which is the home stadium of Crystal Palace.

Personnel and kits[edit]

(as of 11 May 1997)

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Arsenal France Arsène Wenger England Tony Adams Nike JVC
Aston Villa England Brian Little Republic of Ireland Andy Townsend Reebok AST Research
Blackburn Rovers England Tony Parkes England Tim Sherwood Asics CIS
Chelsea Netherlands Ruud Gullit England Dennis Wise Umbro Coors
Coventry City Scotland Gordon Strachan Scotland Gary McAllister Le Coq Sportif Peugeot
Derby County England Jim Smith Croatia Igor Štimac Puma Puma
Everton England Dave Watson (caretaker) England Dave Watson Umbro Danka
Leeds United Scotland George Graham South Africa Lucas Radebe Puma Packard Bell
Leicester City Northern Ireland Martin O'Neill England Steve Walsh Fox Leisure Walkers
Liverpool England Roy Evans England John Barnes Reebok Carlsberg
Manchester United Scotland Alex Ferguson France Eric Cantona Umbro Sharp
Middlesbrough England Bryan Robson England Nigel Pearson Erreà Cellnet
Newcastle United Scotland Kenny Dalglish England Peter Beardsley Adidas Newcastle Brown Ale
Nottingham Forest England Dave Bassett England Stuart Pearce Umbro Labatt's
Sheffield Wednesday England David Pleat England Peter Atherton Puma Sanderson
Southampton Scotland Graeme Souness England Matt Le Tissier Pony Sanderson
Sunderland England Peter Reid England Kevin Ball Avec Vaux Breweries
Tottenham Hotspur England Gerry Francis England Gary Mabbutt Pony Hewlett-Packard
West Ham United England Harry Redknapp England Julian Dicks Pony Dagenham Motors
Wimbledon Republic of Ireland Joe Kinnear Wales Vinnie Jones Lotto Elonex

Managerial changes[edit]

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Chelsea England Glenn Hoddle Signed by England 10 May 1996 Pre-season Netherlands Ruud Gullit 10 May 1996
Southampton England Dave Merrington Sacked 14 June 1996 Scotland Graeme Souness 3 July 1996
Arsenal Scotland Bruce Rioch 12 August 1996 Scotland Stewart Houston (caretaker) 12 August 1996
Leeds United England Howard Wilkinson 10 September 1996 9th Scotland George Graham 10 September 1996
Arsenal Scotland Stewart Houston Signed by Queens Park Rangers 16 September 1996 7th Northern Ireland Pat Rice (caretaker) 16 September 1996
Northern Ireland Pat Rice End of caretaker spell 30 September 1996 3rd France Arsène Wenger 30 September 1996
Blackburn Rovers England Ray Harford Resigned 25 October 1996 20th England Tony Parkes (caretaker) 25 October 1996
Coventry City England Ron Atkinson Promoted to director of football 5 November 1996 18th Scotland Gordon Strachan 5 November 1996
Nottingham Forest England Frank Clark Resigned 19 December 1996 20th England Stuart Pearce (caretaker) 20 December 1996
Newcastle United England Kevin Keegan 8 January 1997 4th England Terry McDermott (caretaker) 8 January 1997
England Terry McDermott End of caretaker spell 14 January 1997 Scotland Kenny Dalglish 14 January 1997
Everton England Joe Royle Resigned 27 March 1997 13th England Dave Watson (caretaker) 1 April 1997

League table[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Manchester United (C) 38 21 12 5 76 44 +32 75 Qualification for the Champions League group stage
2 Newcastle United 38 19 11 8 73 40 +33 68 Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round
3 Arsenal 38 19 11 8 62 32 +30 68 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[a]
4 Liverpool 38 19 11 8 62 37 +25 68
5 Aston Villa 38 17 10 11 47 34 +13 61
6 Chelsea 38 16 11 11 58 55 +3 59 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[b]
7 Sheffield Wednesday 38 14 15 9 50 51 −1 57
8 Wimbledon 38 15 11 12 49 46 +3 56
9 Leicester City 38 12 11 15 46 54 −8 47 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[c]
10 Tottenham Hotspur 38 13 7 18 44 51 −7 46
11 Leeds United 38 11 13 14 28 38 −10 46
12 Derby County 38 11 13 14 45 58 −13 46
13 Blackburn Rovers 38 9 15 14 42 43 −1 42
14 West Ham United 38 10 12 16 39 48 −9 42
15 Everton 38 10 12 16 44 57 −13 42
16 Southampton 38 10 11 17 50 56 −6 41
17 Coventry City 38 9 14 15 38 54 −16 41
18 Sunderland (R) 38 10 10 18 35 53 −18 40 Relegation to the Football League First Division
19 Middlesbrough (R) 38 10 12 16 51 60 −9 39[d]
20 Nottingham Forest (R) 38 6 16 16 31 59 −28 34
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Aston Villa was rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through UEFA Fair Play ranking.
  2. ^ Chelsea qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as FA Cup winners.
  3. ^ Leicester City qualified for the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners.
  4. ^ Middlesbrough were docked three points for failing to fulfill their original fixture at Blackburn Rovers on 21st December 1996.

Results[edit]

Home \ Away ARS AVL BLB CHE COV DER EVE LEE LEI LIV MUN MID NEW NFO SHW SOU SUN TOT WHU WIM
Arsenal 2–2 1–1 3–3 0–0 2–2 3–1 3–0 2–0 1–2 1–2 2–0 0–1 2–0 4–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 0–1
Aston Villa 2–2 1–0 0–2 2–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–3 1–0 0–0 1–0 2–2 2–0 0–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 0–0 5–0
Blackburn Rovers 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 1–2 1–1 0–1 2–4 3–0 2–3 0–0 1–0 1–1 4–1 2–1 1–0 0–2 2–1 3–1
Chelsea 0–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–0 6–2 3–1 3–1 2–4
Coventry City 1–1 1–2 0–0 3–1 1–2 0–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–2 3–0 2–1 0–3 0–0 1–1 2–2 1–2 1–3 1–1
Derby County 1–3 2–1 0–0 3–2 2–1 0–1 3–3 2–0 0–1 1–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 2–2 1–1 1–0 4–2 1–0 0–2
Everton 0–2 0–1 0–2 1–2 1–1 1–0 0–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 7–1 1–3 1–0 2–1 1–3
Leeds United 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–0 1–3 0–0 1–0 3–0 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–1 2–0 0–2 0–0 3–0 0–0 1–0 1–0
Leicester City 0–2 1–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 4–2 1–2 1–0 0–3 2–2 1–3 2–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–1 1–0
Liverpool 2–0 3–0 0–0 5–1 1–2 2–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–3 5–1 4–3 4–2 0–1 2–1 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–1
Manchester United 1–0 0–0 2–2 1–2 3–1 2–3 2–2 1–0 3–1 1–0 3–3 0–0 4–1 2–0 2–1 5–0 2–0 2–0 2–1
Middlesbrough 0–2 3–2 2–1 1–0 4–0 6–1 4–2 0–0 0–2 3–3 2–2 0–1 1–1 4–2 0–1 0–1 0–3 4–1 0–0
Newcastle United 1–2 4–3 2–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 4–1 3–0 4–3 1–1 5–0 3–1 5–0 1–2 0–1 1–1 7–1 1–1 2–0
Nottingham Forest 2–1 0–0 2–2 2–0 0–1 1–1 0–1 1–1 0–0 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–0 0–3 1–3 1–4 2–1 0–2 1–1
Sheffield Wednesday 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–2 0–0 0–0 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 3–1
Southampton 0–2 0–1 2–0 0–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 2–2 0–1 6–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 2–3 3–0 0–1 2–0 0–0
Sunderland 1–0 1–0 0–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 0–1 0–0 1–2 2–1 2–2 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–4 0–0 1–3
Tottenham Hotspur 0–0 1–0 2–1 1–2 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–0 1–2 0–2 1–2 1–0 1–2 0–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–0
West Ham United 1–2 0–2 2–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–0 1–2 2–2 0–0 0–0 0–1 5–1 2–1 2–0 4–3 0–2
Wimbledon 2–2 0–2 1–0 0–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–3 2–1 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–0 4–2 3–1 1–0 1–0 1–1
Source: 11v11
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Season statistics[edit]

Scoring[edit]

Top scorers[edit]

Newcastle's Alan Shearer was the top scorer for the third and final time, with 25 goals.
Rank Player Club Goals
1 England Alan Shearer Newcastle United 25
2 England Ian Wright Arsenal 23
3 England Robbie Fowler Liverpool 18
Norway Ole Gunnar Solskjær Manchester United
5 Trinidad and Tobago Dwight Yorke Aston Villa 17
6 England Les Ferdinand Newcastle United 16
Italy Fabrizio Ravanelli Middlesbrough
8 England Dion Dublin Coventry City 13
England Matt Le Tissier Southampton
10 Netherlands Dennis Bergkamp Arsenal 12
England Steve Claridge Leicester City
England Stan Collymore Liverpool
Brazil Juninho Middlesbrough

Hat-tricks[edit]

Main article: List of Premier League hat-tricks
Middlesbrough's Fabrizio Ravanelli was the only player to score a hat-trick more than once during the 1996–97 season.
Player For Against Result Date Ref
England Kevin Campbell Nottingham Forest Coventry City 3–0 (A) 17 August 1996 [5]
Italy Fabrizio Ravanelli Middlesbrough Liverpool 3–3 (H) 17 August 1996 [6]
England Ian Wright Arsenal Sheffield Wednesday 4–1 (H) 16 September 1996 [7]
Trinidad and Tobago Dwight YorkeL Aston Villa Newcastle United 4–3 (A) 30 September 1996 [8]
Wales Gary Speed Everton Southampton 7–1 (H) 16 November 1996 [9]
England Robbie Fowler4 Liverpool Middlesbrough 5–1 (H) 14 December 1996 [10]
England Alan Shearer Newcastle United Leicester City 4–3 (H) 2 February 1997 [11]
England Ian Marshall Leicester City Derby County 4–2 (H) 22 February 1997 [12]
Norway Steffen Iversen Tottenham Hotspur Sunderland 4–0 (A) 4 March 1997 [13]
Italy Fabrizio Ravanelli Middlesbrough Derby County 6–1 (H) 5 March 1997 [14]
Scotland Kevin Gallacher Blackburn Rovers Wimbledon 3–1 (H) 15 March 1997 [15]
England Paul Kitson West Ham United Sheffield Wednesday 5–1 (H) 3 May 1997 [16]
Note: 4 Player scored 4 goals; L Player finished on the losing side; (H) – Home; (A) – Away

Top assists[edit]

Manchester United's Eric Cantona assisted 12 goals for the club in the 1996–97 Premier League season.
Rank Player Club Assists[17]
1 France Eric Cantona Manchester United 12
2 England Neal Ardley Wimbledon 11
3 Netherlands Dennis Bergkamp Arsenal 9
England Andy Hinchcliffe Everton
Scotland Gary McAllister Coventry City
Italy Gianfranco Zola Chelsea
7 England Nick Barmby Everton 8
England David Beckham Manchester United
Norway Stig Inge Bjørnebye Liverpool
England Les Ferdinand Newcastle United

Awards[edit]

Southampton's Graeme Souness was the only manager to win the Manager of the Month award more than once.

Monthly awards[edit]

Month Manager of the Month Player of the Month
Manager Club Player Club
August England David Pleat Sheffield Wednesday England David Beckham Manchester United
September Republic of Ireland Joe Kinnear Wimbledon Czech Republic Patrik Berger Liverpool
October Scotland Graeme Souness Southampton England Matt Le Tissier Southampton
November England Jim Smith Derby County England Ian Wright Arsenal
December Scotland Gordon Strachan Coventry City Italy Gianfranco Zola Chelsea
January England Stuart Pearce Nottingham Forest England Tim Flowers Blackburn Rovers
February Scotland Alex Ferguson Manchester United England[a] Robbie Earle Wimbledon
March England Bryan Robson Middlesbrough Brazil Juninho Middlesbrough
April Scotland Graeme Souness Southampton England[b] Mickey Evans Southampton

Annual awards[edit]

Award Winner Club
Premier League Manager of the Season Scotland Alex Ferguson[18] Manchester United
Premier League Player of the Season Brazil Juninho[18] Middlesbrough
PFA Players' Player of the Year England Alan Shearer[19] Newcastle United
PFA Young Player of the Year England David Beckham[20] Manchester United
FWA Footballer of the Year Italy Gianfranco Zola[21] Chelsea
PFA Team of the Year
Goalkeeper England David Seaman (Arsenal)
Defence England Gary Neville (Manchester United) England Tony Adams (Arsenal) England Mark Wright (Liverpool) Norway Stig Inge Bjørnebye (Liverpool)
Midfield England David Beckham (Manchester United) Republic of Ireland Roy Keane (Manchester United) England David Batty (Newcastle United) England Steve McManaman (Liverpool)
Attack England Alan Shearer (Newcastle United) England Ian Wright (Arsenal)

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Earle was born in England, but made his debut for Jamaica in September 1997.
  2. ^ Evans was born in England, but made his debut for the Republic of Ireland in October 1997.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "English Premier League 1996–97". statto.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Premier League 1996/1997 » Attendance » Home matches". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Football's biggest punishments". Retrieved 20 September 2006.
  4. ^ "Funny Old Game|Happened on this day – 20 December". Retrieved 20 September 2006.
  5. ^ Culley, Jon (18 August 1996). "Campbell calls tune". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  6. ^ "Middlesbrough v Liverpool". The Times. London. 9 November 2002. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  7. ^ Moore, Glenn (17 September 1996). "Football: Wright's hat-trick lifts the gloom". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  8. ^ Turnbull, Simon (1 October 1996). "Yorke hat-trick in vain for Villa". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  9. ^ Brown, Geoff (17 November 1996). "Football: Speed puts foot down". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  10. ^ "Liverpool 5–1 Middlesbrough". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 17 February 2005. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  11. ^ Hodgson, Guy (3 February 1997). "Football: Shearer provides Newcastle fantasy". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  12. ^ Fox, Norman (23 February 1997). "Football: Marshall's triple tale of the unexpected". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  13. ^ Stamiforth, Tommy (5 March 1997). "Football: Spurs boosted by Iversen's hat-trick". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  14. ^ Turnbull, Simon (6 March 1997). "Football: Ravanelli hat-trick bodes well for Boro". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  15. ^ Hadfield, Dave (17 March 1997). "Football: Gallacher takes advantage of Sullivan's sudden relapse". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  16. ^ Houston, Bob (4 May 1997). "Kitson glory day". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  17. ^ "Statistical Leaders – 1997". Premier League. Archived from the original on 24 June 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Seasonal Awards 1996/97" Archived 18 March 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 20 September 2006.
  19. ^ "England Player Honours – Professional Footballers' Association Players' Players of the Year". Retrieved 20 September 2006.
  20. ^ "England Player Honours – Professional Footballers' Association Young Players of the Year". Retrieved 20 September 2006.
  21. ^ "England Player Honours – Football Writers' Association Footballers of the Year". Retrieved 20 September 2006.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1996–97_FA_Premier_League&oldid=1220680607"