1995-1996
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Newcastle United took centre-stage with Manchester United as they contested for the title this season. Despite Newcastle having a lead of 12 points in January, Newcastle lost the title to their rivals as United won their game on the last day of the season and they drew their game. Sir Alex Ferguson made a remark suggesting teams like Nottingham Forest would not try as hard against Newcastle as they would against Manchester United.
Keegan reacted in an interview stating “And I'll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it.” Keegan’s public meltdown didn’t go down well for his team, as they lost the title and haven’t come close to winning it since. Manchester City got relegated along with Queen Park Rangers and Bolton. Alan Shearer was again the top goal scorer!
Keegan’s comment was voted Premier League’s most memorable quote in 2012.
1996-1997
3 teams finished the season on 68 points and ended up in 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions namely Newcastle United, Arsenal and Liverpool. The usual suspects Manchester United took the title again with 75 points. This season saw Arsene Wenger enter the fray of the Premier League and Liverpool finally come close to contesting in a title race.
Wenger introduced Patrick Vieira to the league as well and brought about changes to the way Arsenal played football. He mixed the brute with beauty and Arsenal seem to flourish. Liverpool had led the table throughout the season but eventually lost out due to lack of discipline and defensive errors at the fag end of the season.
The season while remembered for Cantona’s effortless chip and celebration of utmost swagger, had a relegation controversy where Middlesborough finished 19th after being awarded a 3 point penalty due to cancelling a game against Blackburn Rovers due to the squad being ill. The 3 points were costly and they got relegated along with Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.
1997-1998
Arsene Wenger’s style had brought fruit in his first full season in charge at Arsenal! Arsenal became champions beating Manchester United to it. With additions like Overmars; Arsenal were stronger while on the other side United had lost their talisman as Eric Cantona retired at the age of 30.
Arsenal built their team on the leadership and defensive skills of Tony Adams, midfield marshalled by Patrick Vieira and attack led by Dennis Bergkamp. Unlike previous seasons, the growing gap between the promoted teams and the Premier League teams started to become evident as all 3 sides that were promoted got relegated back to Division One.
