ON THIS DAY

Chelsea finally confirm the purchase of Michael Essien from Lyon for around £24.5m, a record amount for Chelsea at the time. Value for money? 20 th August

After watching Manchester United lose their opening-day Premier League fixture 3-1 at Aston Villa Match of the Day commentator Alan Hansen was critical of United and famously said ‘ you’ll never win anything with kids’ . The kids included David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville and they went on to win a League and Cup double that season!

Newcastle United signed 31-year-old Kevin Keegan from Southampton for £100,000 and a reported £5000 a week wages.

In the second League match of the season Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney became so animated when shouting at his own defenders that he dislocated his jaw and had to be taken to hospital!