MX23RW : Saturday, May 11 17:29:05| >> :60:747:747:

How every Premier League season would have finished after gameweek 29: 2002-03

How every PL season would have finished after gameweek 29: 2002-03
© Reuters
Given the current uncertainty over the resumption of the Premier League, Sports Mole takes a look at how the 2002-03 season would have ended after gameweek 29.

With the coronavirus pandemic having brought a halt to the Premier League campaign, Liverpool have been left waiting to find out whether they will be given the chance to end their 30-year wait for a league title.

However, many of the 20 clubs in England's top flight face an anxious wait over their own positions, whether that be to do with European qualification or potential relegation to the Championship.

Of course, the current global crisis has caught everyone off guard, resulting in frequent meetings being held between the powers-that-be at their respective organisations. However, it naturally raises the question of what would have happened in years gone by had the Premier League been ended after gameweek 29?

In early March of the 2002-03 campaign, defending champions Arsenal held a five-point advantage over Manchester United, realistically leaving the Gunners seven victories from nine games off a second top-flight crown in succession.

However, despite a respectable return of 15 points, Arsenal ended the campaign five points adrift of United, who recorded eight wins and a draw from their final nine outings.

While Newcastle United successfully held on to third place, Everton missed out on Champions League qualification after dropping from fourth to seventh, a consequence of only picking up 10 points.

Chelsea benefitted by earning a spot in European football's premier competition courtesy of a last-day triumph over nearest challengers Liverpool, who had to settle for a place in the UEFA Cup.

Blackburn Rovers also edged out Everton for sixth courtesy of a 17-point return, with Charlton Athletic also viewed as the biggest losers over the concluding fixtures after dropping from seventh to 12th.

Despite their resurgence under Sir Trevor Brooking, a period which saw seven points come from the final three matches, West Ham United failed to move out of the Premier League relegation zone.

The Hammers reached a record-breaking 42 points, the highest points total for a relegated team in the Premier League, but West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland remained cut adrift at the bottom.

While the Baggies and Black Cats were only five and seven points from safety after gameweek 29, they ended the campaign as many as 18 and 25 points away from avoiding a return to the second tier.

ID:397747: cacheID:397747:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4117:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Robin van Persie scores against Aston Villa in 2013
Read Next:
Ranking the top 20 volleys in Premier League history
>
Read more about Trevor Brooking Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
2Arsenal36265588286083
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!