Premier League, 1994 (1993-94)

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Premier League – Season Review 1993-94

The 1993-94 FA Carling Premiership was the second season in the competition’s history and was a 22-team division.

Reigning champions Manchester United retained their Premiership crown in impressive style.

The Red Devils headed the table from the end of August and finished eight points clear of runners-up Blackburn Rovers.

By beating Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, they became only the fourth team in the 20th century to achieve the coveted league and cup double.

The sad note of an otherwise joyous season at Old Trafford was the passing of Sir Matt Busby at the age of 84 on 20 January.

With United taking the only slot in the Champions League, along with Blackburn, Newcastle United qualified for the UEFA Cup via their league position. Aston Villa joined them by winning the Coca-Cola League Cup. Chelsea qualified for the European Cup Winners’ Cup as FA Cup finalists. Arsenal also gained entry as the defending champions.

Swindon Town’s first season in the top-flight saw them make at widely predicted immediate return to the Football League as the conceded 100 goals in the 42-game campaign. While Oldham Athletic’s three-year stay at the top table also came to an end, Everton retained the top division status they had held since 1954 with an 81st minute winner against Wimbledon on the final day of the season.

It was Sheffield United who suffered the last day heartache as they were relegated in conceding two late goals at Chelsea.

Alex Ferguson was the first recipient of the Carling Manager of the Season award. Eric Cantona of Manchester United was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year. Blackburn Rovers’ Alan Shearer won the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award. Andy Cole of Newcastle United won the Golden Boot with 34 goals.

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year was:

  • Tim Flowers (Blackburn Rovers)
  • Gary Kelly (Leeds United), Gary Pallister (Manchester United), Tony Adams (Arsenal), Denis Irwin (Manchester United)
  • David Batty (Blackburn Rovers), Paul Ince (Manchester United), Gary McAllister (Leeds United)
  • Eric Cantona (Manchester United), Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers), Peter Beardsley (Newcastle United)

The average attendance was 23,040. The highest attendance was 44,751 for Liverpool’s visit to Manchester United on 29 March 1994. The lowest attendance of the season was the 4,739 who witnessed the game between Wimbledon and Coventry City on 26 December 1993 at Selhurst Park.