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 the lowest since the 3-1-0 points system introduced in the 1981–82 season.
Moment That Happens During The Season. Manchester United Won The League Four Times And Bought Ole Gunnar Solskjær From Molde. Eric Cantona Retired After This Season. Newcastle United Keegan Left The Club And was Replaced By Kenny Dalglish. They Brought Alan Shearer From Blackburn And Scored 25 Goals. Arsenal Appoint Arsene Wenger. Liverpool Mounted A Title Challenge But Failed. Chelsea Win The FA Cup. Leicester City won the League Cup. Middlesbrough Are Relegated And Deducted 3 Points During The Season. Nottingham Forest Finished Bottom.
Summary
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 deciding due to the absence of 23 players ill or injured. The club consulted the Premier League before 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.
