Premier League, 1998 (1997-98)

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Premier League – Season Review 1997-98

The 1997-98 FA Carling Premiership was the sixth season in the competition’s history.

In Arsene Wenger’s first full season in charge, Arsenal won their first Premier League title and became the second club to win a league and FA Cup double for the second time. Another significant double was the two wins against reigning champions Manchester United. Up to clinching their crown with two games left, the Gunners suffered only one league defeat after 13 December.

United comfortably held on to the runners-up berth and took the other Champions League slot. Liverpool, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa qualified for the UEFA Cup. Chelsea qualified for the European Cup Winners’ Cup as defending champions. They also won the Coca-Cola League Cup. Newcastle United also qualified for the Cup Winners’ Cup as losing finalists in the FA Cup.

Although Crystal Palace were relegated along with Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley (the three clubs promoted from the Football League in the previous season), the Eagles also decided to enter the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

This was Barnsley’s first season in the top-flight in their 102-year history while this was Bolton Wanderers first season at their new £25million home, the Reebok Stadium.

Arsene Wenger was named Carling Manager of the Season. Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award. Liverpool’s Michael Owen was named Carling Player of the Year. He also shared The Golden Boot Dion Dublin (Coventry City) and Chris Sutton (Blackburn Rovers) with 18 goals each.

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year was:

  • Nigel Martyn (Leeds United)
  • Gary Neville (Manchester United), Gary Pallister (Manchester United), Colin Hendry (Blackburn Rovers), Graeme Le Saux (Chelsea)
  • David Beckham (Manchester United), Nicky Butt (Manchester United), David Batty (Newcastle United), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
  • Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal), Michael Owen (Liverpool)

The average attendance was 29,212. The highest attendance was 55,306 for Wimbledon’s visit to Manchester United on 28 March 1998. The lowest attendance of the season was the 7,668 who witnessed the game between Wimbledon and Barnsley on 23 September 1997 at Selhurst Park.