2001–02 Southampton F.C. season

May 2026 Southampton F.C. 2001–02 Rupert Lowe Stuart Gray(until 21 October 2001)Gordon Strachan(from 22 October 2001) St Mary's Stadium FA Premier League 11th FA Cup Third round League Cup Third round Marians Pahars (14) Marians Pahars (16) 31,973 v Newcastle United(11 May 2002) 26,794 v Aston Villa(24 September 2001) 30,633 4–0 v Leicester City(8 December 2001) 1–6 v Manchester United(22 December 2001) _southampton0103h _southampton0103h _southampton0103h _southampton0103h _southampton0103h FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 FFFFFF _southampton0102a _southampton0102a _southampton0102a _southampton0103h _southampton0103h 000000 000000 000000 000000 FFFFFF _southampton0002t _southampton0002t _southampton0002t _southampton0002t _southampton0002t FFDF00 FFDF00 FFDF00 0000FF 0000FF 2000–01 2002–03 The 2001–02 Southampton F.C. season was the club's 101st season of competitive football, their 32nd (and 24th consecutive) in the top flight of English football, and their tenth in the FA Premier League. Having achieved a top-half finish for the first time in six seasons, the Saints had a relatively consistent campaign in which they dropped only one place, finishing 11th in the league. The season was the club's first at their new home ground St Mary's Stadium after 103 years at The Dell, as well as their first with manager Gordon Strachan, who replaced Stuart Gray early in the season after seven months in charge. Upon becoming the club's permanent manager in the summer, Gray made two high-profile signings in Swedish midfielder Anders Svensson and Irish midfielder Rory Delap, the latter for a club-record £4 million. Leavers included centre-back Dean Richards, for whom former manager Glenn Hoddle paid Southampton a club-record £8.1 million to bring to Tottenham Hotspur. After Strachan took over, the club signed Ecuadorian internationals Agustín Delgado and Cléber Chalá, striker Brett Ormerod, and French winger Fabrice Fernandes. After struggling in the relegation zone under Gray, the Saints' form picked up around Christmas, although a poor run of results towards the end of the campaign prevented them from replicating the previous season's top-half finish. Outside the league, Southampton were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round and the League Cup in the fourth round. In the FA Cup, the club lost 1–2 at Rotherham United, a side recently promoted to the First Division but struggling against immediate relegation back to the third flight, with a late Marians Pahars penalty the side's only goal in the competition. In the League Cup, the Saints beat Second Division title contenders (and eventual winners) Brighton & Hove Albion and First Division mid-tablers Gillingham in the early rounds, before facing elimination at the hands of Premier League newcomers Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round. Wanderers won the tie 6–5 on penalties, after the teams were deadlocked 1–1 after normal time and 2–2 after extra time. Southampton used 30 players during the 2001–02 season and had 13 different goalscorers. Marians Pahars finished as the club's top goalscorer for the second time in his third full season at the club, with 14 goals in the league and one each in the FA and League Cups. Left-back Wayne Bridge made the most appearances for the club for a second season running, featuring in all 42 fixtures across all three competitions. Chris Marsden won the annual Player of the Season award for 2001–02. The average league attendance at the new St Mary's Stadium during 2001–02 was 30,633. The highest attendance was a club-record 31,973 against Newcastle United on the last day of the season; the lowest was 26,794 against Aston Villa in September. Background and transfers Southampton had finished the previous season in the top half of the Premier League table for the first time in six years, equalling the 10th-place finish achieved in the 1994–95 season.Holley Chalk 2003 268 They had played the last two months of the campaign with Stuart Gray as temporary manager, following Glenn Hoddle's move to Tottenham Hotspur.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1251659.stm Gray takes charge at Southampton BBC Sport 30 March 2001 8 May 2026 After failing to win any of the first seven games under Gray, the club picked up back-to-back wins in their last two games of the season (against champions Manchester United and runners-up Arsenal) and his position was made permanent in the summer.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1485844.stm Southampton's Gray area BBC Sport 13 August 2001 8 May 2026 Prior to Gray's confirmation as permanent manager, several replacements were touted by members of the press, including England coach Steve McClaren, former Tottenham Hotspur manager George Graham, and former West Ham United boss Harry Redknapp.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jun/29/newsstory.sport6 Gray day for Saints Murray Scott The Guardian 29 June 2001 8 May 2026 thumb|upright|Southampton's new home venue St Mary's Stadium was completed in time for the start of the 2001–02 season. thumb|upright|Swedish international Anders Svensson was Gray's first signing in the summer. thumb|upright|Having spent the entire previous season on loan at the club, Luís Boa Morte joined Fulham for £1.7 million. thumb|upright|Southampton signed Irish midfielder Rory Delap for a club record fee of £4 million in July. thumb|upright|The club spent another £3.5 million in November to bring in Ecuadorian international striker Agustín Delgado. The 2001–02 season also marked Southampton's first playing at St Mary's Stadium, after 103 years at The Dell.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-57146702 Southampton FC: Twenty years since the last game at The Dell BBC News 26 May 2021 8 May 2026 The stadium had been in the works since the summer of 1999, when it was first reported by local newspaper the Daily Echo that the club had secured £32 million in funding for its construction.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/19479524.beginning-construction-known-the-new-dell/ Beginning of construction of what was then known as 'The New Dell' Crump Ian Southern Daily Echo 30 July 2021 8 May 2026 Initially known as the "New Dell", Southampton's new home venue was at first due to be called the Friends Provident Stadium, as part of a sponsorship deal with the financial services company;https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/19483214.final-six-months-st-marys-stadium-built/ The final six months of St Mary's Stadium being built Crump Ian Southern Daily Echo 1 August 2021 8 May 2026 following "fans' protests", however, it was renamed the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium to recognise the role of the nearby St Mary's Church in the club's history.Holley Chalk 2003 266 While still waiting for confirmation of his status as manager, Gray signed Swedish midfielder Anders Svensson from Allsvenskan side Elfsborg for £700,000.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/anders-svensson/ Anders Svensson SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 The club also saw three players leave early in the summer – Portuguese winger Luís Boa Morte, who had helped Fulham achieve promotion to the Premier League during a season-long loan at the club,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/luis-boa-morte/ Luis Boa Morte SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 made his move permanent for a fee of £1.7 million; Moroccan midfielder Hassan Kachloul, whose contract had ended,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/hassan-kachloul/ Hassan Kachloul SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 joined Aston Villa; and Phil Warner, who had not played for Southampton since early in the 1998–99 season,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/phil-warner/ Phil Warner SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 moved on a free transfer to Cambridge United in the Football League Second Division.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1484472.stm Premiership ins and outs BBC Sport 13 August 2001 8 May 2026 In July, Southampton spent a club-record fee of £4 million to bring Irish midfielder Rory Delap to the club from Derby County, doubling the previous club record of £2 million spent on striker David Hirst in October 1997.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1432893.stm Delap completes £4m Saints switch BBC Sport 10 July 2001 8 May 2026 Jacinto Elá and Paul Murray arrived on free transfers,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1466517.stm Murray lands Saints deal BBC Sport 31 July 2001 8 May 2026 while Paul Hughes was released to Luton Town.https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=3704 Paul Hughes Football Stats Soccerbase 8 May 2026 A month into the league season, former Southampton manager Glenn Hoddle signed Dean Richards for Tottenham Hotspur, with the Saints receiving a club-record fee of £8.1 million for the centre-back after a "long-running transfer saga".http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/1535060.stm Richards joins Spurs BBC Sport 21 September 2001 8 May 2026 On 21 October 2001, with Southampton second from bottom in the league having picked up just two wins from their opening eight games, Gray was sacked.https://www.irishtimes.com/news/southampton-sack-manager-gray-1.400876 Southampton sack manager Gray The Irish Times 21 October 2001 8 May 2026 He was replaced the next day by Gordon Strachan, who had left Coventry City a month earlier after a poor start to their first season back in the First Division following relegation from the Premier League the year before.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1612587.stm Strachan eyes Saints success BBC Sport 22 October 2001 8 May 2026 Strachan's first signing followed four days after his arrival, when he brought in centre-back Paul Williams on a short-term loan from his previous club.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1620263.stm Saints sign Williams BBC Sport 26 October 2001 8 May 2026 The deal was made permanent within a week, on the same day as Paul Telfer – another former Coventry defender – joined on a free transfer.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1630351.stm Telfer set for Saints BBC Sport 31 October 2001 8 May 2026 Around the same time, out-of-favour German striker Uwe Rösler moved on a short-term loan to First Division club West Bromwich Albion to take over from Danny Dichio, who had recently finished a loan spell.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1628371.stm Rosler comes to Albion's aid BBC Sport 30 October 2001 8 May 2026 Strachan continued to bolster the Southampton squad during his first few months in charge, first signing two Ecuadorian internationals – Agustín Delgado for £3.5 million from Mexican club Necaxa and Cléber Chalá for £1 million from El Nacional – within three days of one another in November.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1624514.stm Delgado joins Saints BBC Sport 13 November 2001 8 May 2026 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1657644.stm Saints move for Chala BBC Sport 15 November 2001 8 May 2026 A week later, he brought in 18-year-old centre-back Mike Williamson from Third Division side Torquay United, paying £100,000 for the teenager.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1658095.stm Saints seal Williamson deal BBC Sport 24 November 2001 8 May 2026 In early December, with the club back in the relegation zone having scored just 11 goals in 13 games, the Saints signed striker Brett Ormerod for £1.75 million from Second Division side Blackpool, where he had already scored 20 goals since the start of the season.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1678709.stm Ormerod completes Saints move BBC Sport 5 December 2001 8 May 2026 The next week, Paul Murray – who had joined the club in July after former coach Mick Wadsworth had joined as assistant manager – moved to Oldham Athletic, where Wadsworth had taken over as manager.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/paul-murray/ Paul Murray SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 At the end of the month, the club signed Fabrice Fernandes from Stade Rennais for £1.1 million,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1731148.stm Saints sign Fernandes BBC Sport 28 December 2001 8 May 2026 and loaned Dani Rodrigues to Bristol City.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2239133.stm Transfers - December, 2001 BBC Sport 5 September 2002 8 May 2026 In the new year, Uwe Rösler finally left Southampton on a permanent basis to return to Germany with Unterhaching,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/uwe-rosler/ Uwe Rösler SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 having been listed for free transfer at the beginning of the season.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1551207.stm Saints release Rosler BBC Sport 18 September 2001 8 May 2026 In February, young striker Mark Peters left Southampton to join Second Division side Brentford on a free transfer,http://www.espnfc.com/england/news/2002/0220/brentford_20020220_petersforbees.html Peters completes Bees move ESPN FC 20 February 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714192241/http://www.espnfc.com/england/news/2002/0220/brentford_20020220_petersforbees.html 14 July 2014 8 May 2026 while goalkeeper Scott Bevan was sent out on a short loan to Stoke City.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2239124.stm Transfers - February, 2002 BBC Sport 5 September 2002 8 May 2026 In March, Bevan joined Woking until the end of the season.http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=3168 Woking Confirm Cockerill Appointment NonLeagueDaily.com 15 March 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20120801171742/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=3168 1 August 2012 8 May 2026 Around the same time, Southampton brought in French striker Eric Hassli on loan from Metz,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/1874858.stm Saints sign Hassli BBC Sport 15 March 2002 8 May 2026 as well as releasing Argentine winger Adrian Caceres to Hull City, having never given him a first-team game since his arrival in September 2000.https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2233167/tigers-snap-up-caceres Tigers snap up Caceres Buckingham Mark Sky Sports 18 March 2002 8 May 2026 On transfer deadline day, three Southampton players were released on free transfers – Ryan Ashford to Torquay United, Kevin Gibbens to Oxford United, and youngster Adam Wallace to Southend United.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1895200.stm Transfer deadline deals BBC Sport 28 March 2002 8 May 2026 Players transferred in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Anders SvenssonSwedenMF MidfielderSWE Elfsborg12 June 2001£700,000Rory DelapRepublic of IrelandMF MidfielderENG Derby County10 July 2001£4,000,000Jacinto EláEquatorial GuineaMF MidfielderESP Espanyol11 July 2001FreePaul MurrayEnglandMF MidfielderENG Queens Park Rangers23 July 2001FreePaul TelferScotlandDF DefenderENG Coventry City31 October 2001FreePaul WilliamsEnglandDF DefenderENG Coventry City31 October 2001FreeAgustín DelgadoEcuadorFW ForwardMEX Necaxa13 November 2001£3,500,000Cléber ChaláEcuadorMF MidfielderECU El Nacional16 November 2001£1,000,000Mike WilliamsonEnglandDF DefenderENG Torquay United20 November 2001£100,000Brett OrmerodEnglandFW ForwardENG Blackpool5 December 2001£1,750,000Fabrice FernandesFranceMF MidfielderFRA Rennes28 December 2001£1,100,000 Players transferred out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Phil WarnerEnglandDF DefenderENG Cambridge United31 May 2001FreeLuís Boa MortePortugalMF MidfielderENG Fulham14 June 2001£1,700,000Hassan KachloulMoroccoMF MidfielderENG Aston Villa20 June 2001FreePaul HughesEnglandMF MidfielderENG Luton Town10 August 2001FreeDean RichardsEnglandDF DefenderENG Tottenham Hotspur21 September 2001£8,100,000Paul MurrayEnglandMF MidfielderENG Oldham Athletic11 December 2001FreeUwe RöslerGermanyFW ForwardGER Unterhaching8 January 2002FreeMark PetersEnglandFW ForwardENG Brentford15 February 2002FreeAdrian CaceresArgentinaMF MidfielderENG Hull City18 March 2002FreeRyan AshfordEnglandDF DefenderENG Torquay United28 March 2002FreeKevin GibbensEnglandMF MidfielderENG Oxford United28 March 2002FreeAdam WallaceEnglandFW ForwardENG Southend United28 March 2002Free Players loaned in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Paul WilliamsEnglandDF DefenderENG Coventry City26 October 200130 October 2001Eric HassliFranceFW ForwardFRA Metz15 March 2002End of season Players loaned out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Adrian CaceresArgentinaFW ForwardENG Brentford7 September 20017 October 2001https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2217575/bees-in-heaven-after-landing-saint Bees In Heaven After Landing Saint Bailey Graeme Sky Sports 7 September 2001 8 May 2026 Uwe RöslerGermanyFW ForwardENG West Bromwich Albion30 October 200130 November 2001Dani RodriguesPortugalMF MidfielderENG Bristol City31 December 200121 April 2002Scott BevanEnglandGK GoalkeeperENG Stoke City1 February 200211 February 2002ENG Woking15 March 2002End of season Pre-season friendlies Uwe Rösler.jpg 250 170 170 0 45 left Uwe Rösler scored three times during Southampton's pre-season preparations. Ahead of the 2001–02 season, Southampton played eight pre-season friendlies. The first two took place on the same day against local non-league sides, as the Saints beat Isthmian League Premier Division side Aldershot Town and Conference club Farnborough Town 2–1 and 3–1, respectively.Holley Chalk 2003 431 In the former, which saw Queens Park Rangers defender Paul Murray making a trial appearance ahead of signing a week later, the Premier League visitors scored either side of half-time through Uwe Rösler and Jo Tessem, before John Nutter scored a consolation for the hosts after just a minute trailing by two goals.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616701.aldershot-1-saints-2/ Aldershot 1 - Saints 2 Southern Daily Echo 19 July 2001 8 May 2026 In the latter, Southampton overturned a 0–1 deficit to score three in the last 25 minutes of the game, with Tahar El Khalej, Mark Peters and Matt Le Tissier scoring in quick succession to secure the win.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616702.farnborough-1-saints-3/ Farnborough 1 - Saints 3 Southern Daily Echo 19 July 2001 8 May 2026 Three days later, the club faced Second Division side Swindon Town at the County Ground, winning the tie 3–0. In a game described by the Daily Echo as a "one-sided victory", the Saints scored through Claus Lundekvam, Kevin Davies and Le Tissier.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616601.swindon-0-saints-3/ Swindon 0 Saints 3 Southern Daily Echo 23 July 2001 8 May 2026 Southampton's fourth pre-season friendly took place in the Netherlands against Eredivisie runners-up Feyenoord. The visitors "started brightly", with new signings Anders Svensson and Rory Delap leading most of the English side's pressure, but it was Feyenoord who scored the only goal of the game through Ebi Smolarek.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616417.feyenoord-1-saints-0/ Feyenoord 1 - Saints 0 Southern Daily Echo 30 July 2001 8 May 2026 The next day, the club bounced back with a 4–0 victory over Southern League Premier Division side Newport County. James Beattie scored twice in the first 25 minutes, before Imants Bleidelis made it 3–0 on the stroke of half-time and Scott McDonald added a fourth late on.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616398.beattie-brace-one-of-the-positives-in-saints-victory/ Beattie brace one of the positives in Saints victory Southern Daily Echo 31 July 2001 8 May 2026 August started with a friendly at First Division side Nottingham Forest, which the Saints lost 1–2. Beattie opened the scoring again, but despite "dictat[ing] the second half" the Premier League side went behind through "two flukes in the space of seven minutes", as shots from David Prutton and Stern John saw efforts rebound in off Saints players to give them the win.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616348.forset-2-saints-1/ Forest 2 - Saints 1 Southern Daily Echo 2 August 2001 8 May 2026 The scoreline was reversed a few days later for Southampton's penultimate pre-season friendly, as they beat Bristol City of the Second Division 2–1 at Ashton Gate thanks to the first and only goals of the pre-season for Marians Pahars and Dan Petrescu, both of which came in the first half.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616244.bristol-city-1-saints-2/ Bristol City 1 Saints 2 Southern Daily Echo 6 August 2001 8 May 2026 One week before the opening of the 2001–02 Premier League campaign, Southampton played their final game of the pre-season period, hosting Spanish side Espanyol in the first game at St Mary's Stadium. The visitors dominated the hosts in the first half, going 4–0 ahead by the break thanks to goals from Martín Posse, David Aganzo, Quique de Lucas and Antonio Soldevilla.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616065.southampton-3-espanyol-4/ Southampton 3 - Espanyol 4 Southern Daily Echo 11 August 2001 8 May 2026 Ten minutes into the second half, substitute Kevin Davies became the first Southampton player to score at the new stadium, when he turned in a cross to pull one back for the hosts. Just six minutes later, Rösler headed in for 2–4, before adding his second and the team's third with another header just over ten minutes after; the German striker almost completed a hat-trick and a Saints comeback in injury time, but failed to convert from a Stuart Ripley cross. Friendly 18 July 2001 Aldershot Town 1–2 https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616701.aldershot-1-saints-2/ Southampton Nutter 56 Rösler 23Tessem 55 Recreation Ground Aldershot 2,038 Kevin Merchant W Friendly 18 July 2001 Farnborough Town 1–3 https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616702.farnborough-1-saints-3/ Southampton Crawshaw 65 pen. El Khalej 69Peters 75Le Tissier 76 Cherrywood Road Farnborough W Friendly 21 July 2001 Swindon Town 0–3 https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616601.swindon-0-saints-3/ Southampton Lundekvam 28Davies 67Le Tissier 82 County Ground Swindon W Friendly 29 July 2001 NED Feyenoord 1–0 https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616417.feyenoord-1-saints-0/ Southampton Smolarek De Kuip Rotterdam, Netherlands 35,000 René Temmink L Friendly 30 July 2001 WAL Newport County 0–4 https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616398.beattie-brace-one-of-the-positives-in-saints-victory/ Southampton Beattie 11 24Bleidelis 45McDonald Rodney Parade Newport, Wales 1,500 W Friendly 1 August 2001 Nottingham Forest 2–1 https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616348.forset-2-saints-1/ Southampton Lundekvam 71 o.g.Jones 78 o.g. Beattie 66 City Ground Nottingham L Friendly 4 August 2001 Bristol City 1–2 https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616244.bristol-city-1-saints-2/ Southampton Correia Pahars 19Petrescu 37 Ashton Gate Bristol 6,406 Clive Wilkes W Friendly 11 August 2001 15:00 BST Southampton 3–4 https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5616023.saints-3-espanyol-4/ ESP Espanyol Davies 55Rösler 61 74 Posse Aganzo de Lucas 32Soldevilla 42 St Mary's Stadium Southampton L FA Premier League 2001–02 FA Premier League August–December 2001 thumb|upright|Marians Pahars scored half of Southampton's first eight goals of the season. Southampton's first game of the season was away against Leeds United, who had finished the previous season fourth in the league, just one point behind Liverpool in the third and final UEFA Champions League qualifying place.https://www.premierleague.com/history/season-reviews/9/report 2000/01 Season Review Premier League 8 May 2026 Second-half goals from Lee Bowyer and substitute Alan Smith gave Leeds the win, while the Saints – who gave debuts to summer signings Anders Svensson and Rory Delap – saw centre-back Claus Lundekvam dismissed in the last minute of the game for a late challenge on Harry Kewell, which meant he was suspended for the next three games.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1495391.stm Leeds in the groove BBC Sport 18 August 2001 8 May 2026 Their first league game at St Mary's Stadium in front of a new club record attendance ended in the same scoreline, as the hosting Saints lost 0–2 to Chelsea thanks to goals from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the first half and Mario Stanić just before full-time.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5615628.saints-0-chelsea-2/ Saints 0 - Chelsea 2 Southern Daily Echo 27 August 2001 8 May 2026 After a week off, the club suffered a third consecutive 0–2 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, with their "resolute display" proving unsatisfactory as Christian Ziege and Simon Davies scored the hosts' goals in the final 25 minutes.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1529922.stm Spurs sink sad Saints BBC Sport 9 September 2001 8 May 2026 Sitting 19th after three games and no goals scored,https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/9-september-2001/ Premier League table after close of play on 09 September 2001 11v11.com 8 May 2026 Southampton played Bolton Wanderers the next week, who had followed their promotion back to the top flight by winning their first three matches of the season (and drawing the fourth, against Leeds) to go top of the Premier League table.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1529811.stm Bolton frustrate Leeds BBC Sport 8 September 2001 8 May 2026 The visiting Saints pulled off an unexpected 1–0 win, with Marians Pahars scoring the club's first goal of the campaign in the 81st minute to give them their first points of the season.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1542255.stm Pahars halts Bolton charge BBC Sport 15 September 2001 8 May 2026 Pahars scored his side's first goal at St Mary's the following week, but it was not enough to continue any momentum as the Saints succumbed to a 1–3 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, dropping to the bottom of the league table as a result.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/sep/25/match.sport Hadji makes Saints weep Brodkin Jon The Guardian 25 September 2001 8 May 2026 Fortunes were reversed five days later for Southampton, when they beat Middlesbrough 3–1 at home, with Pahars' third goal in three games flanked by two from James Beattie.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1567690.stm Beattie makes Boro pay BBC Sport 28 September 2001 8 May 2026 Having climbed back out of the relegation places, however, the team were back in the drop zone after another two 0–2 losses in October, first at home to title hopefuls Arsenal (in which Chris Marsden was sent off in the second half),http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1580219.stm Arsenal outclass Saints BBC Sport 13 October 2001 8 May 2026 then away against fellow strugglers West Ham United (courtesy of a second-half double from Frédéric Kanouté).http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1607625.stm Hammers sink Saints BBC Sport 19 October 2001 8 May 2026 Gordon David Strachan.jpg 270 170 170 0 75 left With the club in the relegation zone, Southampton replaced manager Stuart Gray with former Coventry City boss Gordon Strachan (pictured) in October. With the club sitting 19th in the Premier League table with just two wins and five goals scored in their opening eight games of the season, Southampton sacked manager Stuart Gray on 21 October. The next day, it was announced that he had been replaced by Gordon Strachan, who had recently left Coventry City after a similarly poor start to their first season back in the First Division following relegation the year before. His first game in charge was at home against Ipswich Town, who were struggling just above the Saints despite finishing in fifth place the previous season. Strachan's side picked up the club's first point at St Mary's in a "thrilling" 3–3 draw, but were denied their first win at the new ground after leading by two goals twice during the game.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1608323.stm Stewart denies Strachan BBC Sport 24 October 2001 8 May 2026 Three days later, the club lost 1–2 at recently promoted side Fulham, who were one place higher than Ipswich, with Beattie scoring a consolation for the visitors in between two goals from Steed Malbranque, despite Pahars being "clearly offside" during the move.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1620616.stm Fulham see off Saints BBC Sport 27 October 2001 8 May 2026 The club's poor run of home form continued the next week, when they lost 1–2 against Blackburn Rovers, who beat Southampton at home for the first time since 1938.https://www.theguardian.com/football/Observer_Match_Report/0,,-36588,00.html Saints' home curse Hughes Matt The Guardian 4 November 2001 8 May 2026 Despite Pahars opening the scoring in the first half, the fan-dubbed "curse of St Mary's" continued after Craig Hignett scored a winner in injury time following Tugay Kerimoğlu's equaliser on the stroke of half-time.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1633356.stm Saints slump to Blackburn BBC Sport 3 November 2001 8 May 2026 A third consecutive defeat followed against Derby County, who were bottom of the table before the match with just one win all season, with the 1–0 result giving new manager Colin Todd his first victory.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1656580.stm Rams win basement battle BBC Sport 18 November 2001 8 May 2026 The result of the game against Derby saw Southampton taking their place at the bottom of the table with just 7 points from 12 games.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/18-november-2001/ Premier League table after close of play on 18 November 2001 11v11.com 8 May 2026 A week later, however, the Saints finally picked up their first win at St Mary's Stadium and their first with Strachan as manager, when they beat Charlton Athletic 1–0 thanks to a second-half goal from Pahars – his sixth league goal of the season.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1671419.stm Saints record historic win BBC Sport 24 November 2001 8 May 2026 The win took the club out of the relegation zone, although they briefly returned their with a 0–2 loss at Everton in their next game.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1683573.stm Gazza lifts Everton BBC Sport 2 December 2001 8 May 2026 This was followed by the club's biggest win of the season, as they beat Leicester City 4–0 at Filbert Street. Svensson opened the scoring with his first goal for the club in the first half, before Beattie, Svensson again and Pahars extended the visitors' lead after the break.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1696188.stm Saints shatter fragile Foxes BBC Sport 8 December 2001 8 May 2026 The win marked Southampton's biggest away win in the Premier League to date.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/17353125.southamptons-last-five-league-wins-leicester-city/ Southampton's last five league wins at Leicester City Southern Daily Echo 11 January 2019 8 May 2026 They followed this with their first back-to-back win against Sunderland, who they beat 2–0 at home thanks to an own goal and a Pahars strike.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1709946.stm Saints beat Sunderland BBC Sport 15 December 2001 8 May 2026 In their last game before Christmas, just two weeks after their biggest win of the season, Southampton suffered their heaviest defeat of the campaign when they lost 1–6 at reigning champions Manchester United. After opening the scoring after just 31 seconds through summer signing Ruud van Nistelrooy, the hosts went 3–0 up before half-time as the Dutch striker added a second, before Ole Gunnar Solskjær scored a third just before the break.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1722633.stm United hit Saints for six BBC Sport 22 December 2001 8 May 2026 Six minutes into the second half, van Nistelrooy completed his first hat-trick for United; Pahars pulled one back for the Saints a minute later, before goals from Roy Keane and Phil Neville late on secured the five-goal gap. On Boxing Day, Southampton beat former manager Glenn Hoddle's Tottenham Hotspur 1–0, thanks to a goal 11 minutes into the second half from James Beattie – just before the break, Les Ferdinand "blasted over" from 10 yards out.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1726947.stm Beattie sinks Spurs BBC Sport 26 December 2001 8 May 2026 The Saints ended 2001 with a 0–1 home loss to 4th-place Leeds United, who clinched the win with a last-minute goal from Lee Bowyer, who had a goal disallowed in the first half for offside.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1731074.stm Leeds steal late win BBC Sport 29 December 2001 8 May 2026 The result meant Southampton finished the year in 17th place in the table, equal on points with Derby County in 18th, but above the relegation zone on goal difference.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/29-december-2001/ Premier League table after close of play on 29 December 2001 11v11.com 8 May 2026 January–May 2002 thumb|upright|Kevin Davies scored his only two league goals of the season in consecutive games in January. Southampton began 2002 with two wins in a row over title contenders, beating 6th-place Chelsea 4–2 at Stamford Bridge and 5th-place Liverpool 2–0 at St Mary's. After opening the scoring against Chelsea after just seven minutes through a James Beattie free-kick, the Saints found themselves behind at half-time after the hosts responded with goals from Eiður Guðjohnsen and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1732279.stm Saints stun Chelsea BBC Sport 1 January 2002 8 May 2026 In the second half, however, goals from Marians Pahars and Chris Marsden put the visitors ahead, before Beattie's second later on confirmed the victory. Hosting Liverpool the next week, Southampton secured victory with two second-half goals, the first a Beattie penalty after a foul by Sami Hyypiä, the second an own goal by John Arne Riise less than ten minutes later.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1747730.stm Saints sink Reds BBC Sport 9 January 2002 8 May 2026 The wins saw the Saints jump five places to 12th in the league table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/09-january-2002/ Premier League table after close of play on 09 January 2002 11v11.com 8 May 2026 This was followed by a second loss to Manchester United, who overcame an early 0–1 deficit to win 3–1 thanks to goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy (equalling the Premier League record for goals in seven consecutive games), David Beckham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1758247.stm Man Utd go top BBC Sport 13 January 2002 8 May 2026 In the second half, Agustín Delgado made his league debut for the club, hitting the crossbar with a header late on. A week after losing to United, Southampton played the return game against Liverpool at Anfield. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with Michael Owen's 8th-minute opener cancelled out by Kevin Davies' first league goal of the campaign just after half-time.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1767015.stm Saints hold Liverpool BBC Sport 19 January 2002 8 May 2026 Anders Svensson hit the crossbar late in the game, with Davies missing the follow-up. At the end of the month, the Saints hosted fellow mid-table side West Ham United, beating the Hammers 2–0 thanks to a second goal from Davies and the only goal of the campaign for recent signing Fabrice Fernandes.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1782571.stm Fernandes sinks Hammers BBC Sport 30 January 2002 8 May 2026 This match featured the final competitive appearance for club legend Matt Le Tissier, who came on as a late substitute for Davies in his 443rd league and 540th overall appearance.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/matt-le-tissier/ Matt Le Tissier SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 A few days later, the club shared points with title challengers Arsenal thanks to a late Jo Tessem equaliser, following Sylvain Wiltord's 40th-minute opener.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1795043.stm Saints taint Arsenal record BBC Sport 3 February 2002 8 May 2026 The next week saw 2nd-place Newcastle United ease past Southampton 3–1, with former Saints striker Alan Shearer scoring twice in the first half to secure the hosts' win.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1806931.stm Shearer haunts Saints BBC Sport 9 February 2002 8 May 2026 Southampton's final game of February was a goalless draw at home to struggling Bolton Wanderers, during which Rory Delap was sent off for dissent.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1834930.stm Bolton earn point at Saints BBC Sport 23 February 2002 8 May 2026 Now 14th in the Premier League table,https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/23-february-2002/ Premier League table after close of play on 23 February 2002 11v11.com 8 May 2026 Southampton picked up an important 3–1 away win over Ipswich Town on 2 March to stay clear of relegation risk. After a goalless first half, Delap opened the scoring for the visitors on 52 minutes, before Brett Ormerod scored his first goal for the club less than ten minutes later.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1847866.stm Saints pile pressure on Ipswich BBC Sport 2 March 2002 8 May 2026 Despite pulling one back late on through Finidi George, the hosts lost the points when Marsden secured victory with a "classy solo goal" just before the end. The win took Southampton up to a joint-high for the season of 11th place.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/02-march-2002/ Premier League table after close of play on 02 March 2002 11v11.com 8 May 2026 The rest of March saw the Saints contesting numerous draws with teams also in the bottom half of the table. The first was a 1–1 home draw with Middlesbrough, who were just one place below them in the table, in which Anders Svensson's goal just before half time was cancelled out by Noel Whelan's equaliser just after the break.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1849435.stm Saints and Boro share spoils BBC Sport 6 March 2002 8 May 2026 The next week, the Saints failed to beat bottom-place Leicester City, responding to two quick early goals from Brian Deane with two from Marians Pahars to share the points.https://www.theguardian.com/football/Observer_Match_Report/0,,-38519,00.html Pahars on the spot Callow Nick The Guardian 17 March 2002 8 May 2026 Consecutive 1–1 draws with mid-table sides Sunderland and Fulham completed the month,https://www.premierleague.com/en/match/17648 Sunderland vs Southampton Match Preview & Report (2001/2002) Premier League 8 May 2026 https://www.premierleague.com/en/match/16020 Southampton vs Fulham Match Preview & Report (2001/2002) Premier League 8 May 2026 with Southampton dropping a place to 12th in the Premier League table after five draws in a row.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/30-march-2002/ Premier League table after close of play on 30 March 2002 11v11.com 8 May 2026 April started with a 0–2 loss at Blackburn Rovers, who were battling against relegation. Both goals for the hosts came within a single two-minute spell midway through the first half, with Damien Duff scoring the first before setting up the second for Yordi.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1900870.stm Blackburn secure vital win BBC Sport 1 April 2002 8 May 2026 Five days later, the Saints beat fellow strugglers Derby County by the same scoreline, with goals from Matt Oakley and Marians Pahars either side of half-time ensuring the club remained clear of the drop zone.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1911328.stm Saints push Rams towards drop BBC Sport 6 April 2002 8 May 2026 A 1–1 draw with Charlton Athletic was followed by two defeats in a row, as they lost 0–1 at home to Everton and 1–2 away at Aston Villa in the last two games of April.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1938533.stm Everton ease past Saints BBC Sport 20 April 2002 8 May 2026 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1952001.stm Villa see off Saints BBC Sport 27 April 2002 8 May 2026 Southampton's final game of the season saw them beating Newcastle United 3–1 at St Mary's. Svensson opened the scoring in the 17th minute, before Beattie doubled the hosts' lead five minutes later with a penalty given for a foul by Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1978536.stm Dyer World Cup doubt BBC Sport 11 May 2002 8 May 2026 Alan Shearer pulled one back for the visitors ten minutes into the second half, but despite a straight red card for Tahar El Khalej, they could not get back into the game and Paul Telfer scored a third and final goal for the Saints in injury time. Southampton finished the season 11th in the Premier League table, just one place lower than the previous season.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/11-may-2002/ Premier League table after close of play on 11 May 2002 11v11.com 8 May 2026 List of match results 1 18 August 2001 15:00 BST Leeds United 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3669 Southampton Bowyer 67, 79Smith 81 Davies 18Marsden 24Lundekvam 0 90 Elland Road Leeds 39,715 Clive Wilkes L 2 25 August 2001 15:00 BST Southampton 0–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3688 Chelsea Hasselbaink 33Grønkjær 67Stanić 90 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,107 David Elleray L 3 9 September 2001 14:00 BST Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3702 Southampton Ziege 76Davies 87 White Hart Lane London 33,668 Alan Wiley L 4 15 September 2001 15:00 BST Bolton Wanderers 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3703 Southampton Whitlow 79Warhurst 82 El Khalej 17Pahars 77 Reebok Stadium Bolton 24,378 David Pugh W 5 24 September 2001 20:00 BST Southampton 1–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3725 Aston Villa Pahars 45Delap 0 52 Boateng 9Ángel 15Dublin 0 57Hendrie 64Kachloul 67Hadji 79 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 26,794 Steve Dunn L 6 29 September 2001 15:00 BST Middlesbrough 1–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3731 Southampton Bokšić 75 pen. Delap 13Beattie 66 86Pahars 73 pen. Riverside Stadium Middlesbrough 26,142 Alan Wiley W 7 13 October 2001 15:00 BST Southampton 0–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3742 Arsenal Marsden 2 18 59Monk 62 Pires 5Cole 39Henry 74 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 29,759 Graham Barber L 8 20 October 2001 15:00 BST West Ham United 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3752 Southampton Kanouté 53 81 Draper 28 Boleyn Ground London 25,842 Neale Barry L 9 24 October 2001 19:45 BST Southampton 3–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3758 Ipswich Town Beattie 14, 40Pahars 23El Khalej 42Marsden 52 Stewart 38 73Venus 64Peralta 86 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 29,614 Uriah Rennie D 10 27 October 2001 15:00 BST Fulham 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3763 Southampton Malbranque 25 33 Beattie 32, 37Oakley 71 Craven Cottage London 18,771 Andy D'Urso L 11 3 November 2001 15:00 GMT Southampton 1–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3774 Blackburn Rovers Pahars 36Williams 57 Kerimoğlu 45Dunn 89Hignett 90 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 30,523 Alan Wiley L 12 17 November 2001 15:00 GMT Derby County 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3782 Southampton Mawéné 25 Williams 35 Pride Park Stadium Derby 32,063 Paul Durkin L 13 24 November 2001 15:00 GMT Southampton 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3794 Charlton Athletic Pahars 59 Brown 80 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,198 Dermot Gallagher W 14 2 December 2001 16:00 GMT Everton 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3807 Southampton Radzinski 50Pembridge 86 Williams 18 Goodison Park Liverpool 28,138 Jeff Winter L 15 8 December 2001 15:00 GMT Leicester City 0–4 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3815 Southampton Izzet 82 Svensson 12 75Beattie 64Pahars 90 Filbert Street Leicester 20,321 Graham Poll W 16 15 December 2001 15:00 GMT Southampton 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3828 Sunderland Craddock 43 o.g.Pahars 67Marsden 83 Craddock 51McCann 59 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 29,459 David Pugh W 17 22 December 2001 15:00 GMT Manchester United 6–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3840 Southampton Nistelrooy 1 34 54Solskjær 41Keane 62Scholes 67P. Neville 78 Davies 28Pahars 55 Old Trafford Manchester 67,638 Steve Dunn L 18 26 December 2001 12:00 GMT Southampton 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3853 Tottenham Hotspur Beattie 56 Gardner 3Richards 86Taricco 89 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,719 Peter Jones W 19 29 December 2001 15:00 GMT Southampton 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3862 Leeds United Telfer 35 Mills 61Bowyer 89 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,622 Mark Halsey L 20 1 January 2002 15:00 GMT Chelsea 2–4 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3866 Southampton Guðjohnsen 20Le Saux 43Hasselbaink 45Terry 90 Beattie 7 73Pahars 55Dodd 61Marsden 64 Stamford Bridge London 35,156 Eddie Wolstenholme W 21 9 January 2002 20:00 GMT Southampton 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3874 Liverpool Beattie 63 pen.Riise 71 o.g. Carragher 38 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,527 Neale Barry W 22 13 January 2002 14:00 GMT Southampton 1–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3884 Manchester United Beattie 3Marsden 45 van Nistelrooy 9Beckham 45Blanc 54Solskjær 63 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,858 Steve Bennett L 23 19 January 2002 15:00 GMT Liverpool 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3887 Southampton Owen 8 Davies 46, 76 Anfield Liverpool 43,710 Neale Barry D 24 30 January 2002 19:45 GMT Southampton 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3905 West Ham United Davies 43Fernandes 64 Řepka 63Hutchison 65Moncur 89 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,879 Phil Dowd W 25 2 February 2002 15:00 GMT Arsenal 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3907 Southampton Wiltord 40Edu 79Henry 85 Davies 29Dodd 43Tessem 79 Arsenal Stadium London 38,024 Clive Wilkes D 26 9 February 2002 15:00 GMT Newcastle United 3–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3923 Southampton Robert 24Shearer 29 45 pen. Pahars 39Davies 66 St James' Park Newcastle upon Tyne 51,857 Barry Knight L 27 23 February 2002 15:00 GMT Southampton 0–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3932 Bolton Wanderers Delap 2 34 90 Bobic 31Nolan 75Tøfting 88 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,380 Eddie Wolstenholme D 28 2 March 2002 15:00 GMT Ipswich Town 1–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3940 Southampton George 82 Delap 52Ormerod 61Williams 84Marsden 88 Portman Road Ipswich 25,440 Mark Halsey W 29 6 March 2002 19:45 GMT Southampton 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3953 Middlesbrough Svensson 38Lundekvam 84 Queudrue 29Whelan 57Festa 0 61 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 28,931 Uriah Rennie D 30 16 March 2002 15:00 GMT Southampton 2–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3963 Leicester City Pahars 28 86 pen. Elliott 15Deane 21 23Dickov 30Oakes 79Reeves 84 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 30,012 Mike Dean D 31 23 March 2002 15:00 GMT Sunderland 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3973 Southampton McCann 9McAteer 62Mboma 65 Pahars 5Marsden 52Lundekvam 67Tessem 87 Stadium of Light Sunderland 46,120 Matt Messias D 32 30 March 2002 15:00 GMT Southampton 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3984 Fulham Delap 21, 80 Marlet 7Brevett 44 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,616 Jeff Winter D 33 1 April 2002 20:00 BST Blackburn Rovers 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/3986 Southampton Duff 27Yordi 29 Dodd 58 Ewood Park Blackburn 28,851 Clive Wilkes L 34 6 April 2002 15:00 BST Southampton 2–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/4000 Derby County Oakley 29Pahars 54Williams 80 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 29,263 Steve Bennett W 35 13 April 2002 15:00 BST Charlton Athletic 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/4006 Southampton Robinson 12Rufus 16Parker 61 Tessem 44Beattie 54El Khalej 85 The Valley London 26,557 Phil Dowd D 36 20 April 2002 17:15 BST Southampton 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/4018 Everton Delap 12Pahars 77 Watson 41 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,785 Mark Halsey L 37 27 April 2002 15:00 BST Aston Villa 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/4025 Southampton Vassell 8 42Staunton 53Mellberg 89 Beattie 52Tessem 56 Villa Park Birmingham 35,255 David Elleray L 38 11 May 2002 15:00 BST Southampton 3–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/4044 Newcastle United Svensson 18Beattie 22 pen.El Khalej 0 55Telfer 90 Shearer 54Dabizas 63 St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,973 Andy D'Urso W Final league table y SOU RSSSF Results by matchday table b Round Ground A / H / A / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / A / H / A / H / H / A / H / H / A / H / A / A / H / A / H / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H Result L / L / L / W / L / W / L / L / D / L / L / L / W / L / W / W / L / W / L / W / W / L / D / W / D / L / D / W / D / D / D / D / L / W / D / L / L / W Position 14 / 18 / 19 / 18 / 20 / 16 / 17 / 19 / 18 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 17 / 18 / 17 / 17 / 17 / 17 / 17 / 17 / 12 / 15 / 14 / 11 / 13 / 14 / 14 / 11 / 12 / 11 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 11 / 11 / 12 / 14 / 11 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 11v11.com FA Cup 2001–02 FA Cup Southampton entered the 2001–02 FA Cup in the third round against Rotherham United, who had recently been promoted to the First Division. The game started in a "hectic" fashion, with both sides enjoying chances on goal, but it was the second-tier hosts who opened the scoring just before half-time when Richie Barker headed in a free-kick from Kevin Watson.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1760104.stm Rotherham shock Saints BBC Sport 16 January 2002 8 May 2026 Despite increasing the pressure after the break and nearly equalising through Marians Pahars, the Saints went two behind in the 55th minute when John Mullin doubled the Millers' lead. After Kevin Davies was fouled in the box later on, Pahars did pull one back for the Saints from the penalty spot, but the hosts held on for the win to send the Premier League side out of the competition at the first hurdle. Round 3 16 January 2002 Rotherham United 2–1 Report Southampton Barker 39Mullin 55 Pahars 70 pen. Millmoor Rotherham 8,464 Matt Messias L League Cup 2001–02 Football League Cup Southampton entered the 2001–02 League Cup in the second round against Brighton & Hove Albion of the Second Division. The top-flight side eased past the Seagulls 3–0, with James Beattie opening the scoring on the stroke of half time and Anders Svensson picking up a brace during the last 20 minutes of the game.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1531277.stm Brighton 0-3 Southampton BBC Sport 11 September 2001 8 May 2026 The result marked the club's first win of the season and also included their first goals of the campaign, following three defeats in the league without scoring. In the third round, Southampton were hosted by First Division opponents Gillingham. The Saints opened the scoring within ten minutes when Beattie converted a "controversial penalty" given by the linesman for a foul by Roland Edge, with the Gills responding strongly and almost equalising on the stroke of half time.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1584472.stm Saints sink Gillingham BBC Sport 9 October 2001 8 May 2026 The Premier League visitors threatened to double their lead at various points throughout the second half, before finally sealing victory in the last ten minutes when Marians Pahars converted a cross from Beattie for 2–0. In the fourth round, Southampton travelled for a third time to face Bolton Wanderers, who had recently joined the Premier League for the first time having won the previous season's First Division play-offs. After a goalless first half, Dean Holdsworth opened the scoring for the hosts ten minutes after the break, converting a penalty given for a foul by Paul Williams on Japanese striker Akinori Nishizawa.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1677008.stm Bolton shoot out Saints BBC Sport 27 November 2001 8 May 2026 Kevin Davies scored ten minutes before the end of the game to send the fixture to extra time, during which substitute Michael Ricketts scored a second for Bolton before Tahar El Khalej equalised again for Southampton just a minute later. The game was decided by a penalty shootout which was won 6–5 by the Trotters, with Colin Hendry, Gareth Farrelly, Ricketts, Nicky Southall, Paul Warhurst and Rod Wallace all scoring from the spot; for the Saints, Marians Pahars, James Beattie, Jason Dodd, Paul Telfer and Paul Jones all scored, before Chris Marsden saw his penalty saved. Round 2 11 September 2001 19:45 BST Brighton & Hove Albion 0–3 Report Southampton Rogers 35 McDonald 31Beattie 44Svensson 71 85 Withdean Stadium Brighton 6,489 Mick Fletcher W Round 3 9 October 2001 19:45 BST Gillingham 0–2 Report Southampton Hessenthaler 8Saunders 70 Beattie 9 pen.Marsden 25Monk 33Pahars 83 Priestfield Stadium Gillingham 7,948 Andy D'Urso W Round 4 27 November 2001 20:00 GMT Bolton Wanderers 2–2 yes Report Southampton Nishizawa 40Holdsworth 55 pen.Ricketts 110 Williams 28Marsden 73Davies 80El Khalej 111 Reebok Stadium Bolton 8,404 Andy D'Urso L 6–5 Hendry Farrelly Ricketts Southall Warhurst Wallace Pahars Beattie Dodd Telfer Jones Marsden Other matches Outside the league and cup competitions, Southampton played just two additional matches during the 2001–02 season, either side of the final match of the league campaign. The first was a friendly against Second Division strugglers Bournemouth on 30 April 2002 to mark the reopening of the club's home ground, Dean Court. The Saints won the game 1–0 thanks to a "delightful lob" scored by Fabrice Fernandes less than two minutes into the second half.https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/5389039.fernandes-flair-ends-resistance/ Fernandes' flair ends resistance Dorset Echo 1 May 2002 8 May 2026 The second extra match took place two weeks later, three days after the league ended, and saw the Saints face an "England XI" side in a testimonial for retiring club legend Matt Le Tissier. The game ended in a 9–9 draw, with Le Tissier scoring for his side alongside brothers Carl and Kevin, while his 10-year-old son Mitchell scored five times for the England side in a late substitute display.https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/5388667.stars-turn-out-for-le-tissier-tribute-night/ Stars turn out for Le Tissier tribute night Dorset Echo 15 May 2002 8 May 2026 Friendly 30 April 2002 Bournemouth 0–1 Southampton Fernandes 47 Dean Court Bournemouth 2,790 Darren Spicer W Matt Le Tissier Testimonial 14 May 2002 Southampton 9–9 England XI Ormerod 11 Ekelund 54 Matt Le Tissier 57 Davies 73 Fernandes C. Le Tissier 83 K. Le Tissier 86 Pearce o.g. Shearer 58 Wright Keegan pen. Mitchell Le Tissier pen. Allen St Mary's Stadium Southampton 31,904 Mark Le Tissier D Player details Southampton used 30 players during the 2001–02 season, 13 of whom scored during the campaign.Holley Chalk 2003 277, 296, 412 Nine players made their debut appearances for the club, including eight of their 11 first team signings (Rory Delap, Agustín Delgado, Fabrice Fernandes, Paul Murray,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/paul-murray/ Paul Murray SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 Brett Ormerod, Anders Svensson, Paul Telfer, and Paul Williams) and one player making the step up from youth to the first team (Scott McDonaldhttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/scott-mcdonald/ Scott McDonald SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 ). Two of these – McDonald and Murray – also made their last appearances for the Saints during the campaign, as did mid-season departees Dean Richards and Uwe Rösler,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/uwe-rosler/ Uwe Rosler SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 four players who left the following season (Imants Bleidelis,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/imants-bleidelis/ Imants Bleidelis SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 Tahar El Khalej,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/tahar-el-khalej/ Tahar El Khalej SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 Neil Moss,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/neil-moss/ Neil Moss SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 and Dan Petrescuhttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/dan-petrescu/ Dan Petrescu SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 ), and three who retired at the end of the season (Mark Draper,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/mark-draper/ Mark Draper SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 Matt Le Tissier, and Stuart Ripleyhttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/stuart-ripley/ Stuart Ripley SaintsPlayers.co.uk 8 May 2026 ). Left-back Wayne Bridge made the most appearances during the season, playing in all 42 games across all competitions. Marians Pahars finished as the club's top goalscorer for the second time, scoring 16 times in all competitions, just ahead of James Beattie on 14 goals. Chris Marsden, who switched from the centre to the left of midfield during the campaign, won the Southampton F.C. Player of the Season award.http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/14488550.Previous_winners_of_the_Daily_Echo_Southampton_FC_Player_of_the_Season_Award/ Previous winners of the Daily Echo Southampton FC Player of the Season Award Kerins Dan Southern Daily Echo 12 May 2016 8 May 2026 Squad statistics + Southampton F.C. players 2001–02, with appearances and goals, showing squad number, playing position and nationalityNo. Squad numberNamePos. Playing positionNat. NationalityPremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalDisciplineApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoals13px13px1Paul JonesGK GoalkeeperWAL3601030400002Jason DoddDF DefenderENG26(3)0102029(3)0303Wayne BridgeDF DefenderENG3801030420004Chris MarsdenMF MidfielderENG27(1)3102030(1)3615Claus LundekvamDF DefenderNOR3401020370216Paul WilliamsDF DefenderENG27(1)0101029(1)0607Matt Le TissierMF MidfielderENG0(4)00(1)0000(5)0008Matt OakleyMF MidfielderENG26(1)1003029(1)1109James BeattieFW ForwardENG24(4)12003227(4)143010Kevin DaviesFW ForwardENG18(5)20(1)02(1)120(7)35012Anders SvenssonMF MidfielderSWE33(1)4103237(1)60013Neil MossGK GoalkeeperENG200000200014Stuart RipleyMF MidfielderENG1(4)0000(1)01(5)00015Francis BenaliDF DefenderENG0(3)000000(3)00016Mark DraperMF MidfielderENG1(1)0000(1)01(2)01017Marians PaharsFW ForwardLAT33(3)14112136(3)162018Rory DelapMF MidfielderIRL24(4)2001025(4)23220Tahar El KhalejDF DefenderMAR12(1)1001(1)113(2)22121Jo TessemMF MidfielderNOR7(15)2001(1)08(16)22023Jacinto EláMF MidfielderEQG000000000024Dan PetrescuDF DefenderROM0(2)000000(2)00025Garry MonkDF DefenderENG1(1)000102(1)02026Imants BleidelisMF MidfielderLAT0(1)000000(1)00029Fabrice FernandesMF MidfielderFRA6(5)110007(5)10030Scott McDonaldFW ForwardAUS0(2)000101(2)01033Paul TelferMF MidfielderSCO27(1)1101029(1)11034Agustín DelgadoFW ForwardECU0(1)010001(1)00035Cléber ChaláMF MidfielderECU000000000036Brett OrmerodFW ForwardENG8(10)100008(10)100Squad members who left before the end of the season6Dean RichardsDF DefenderENG400010501011Uwe RöslerFW ForwardGER3(1)0000(1)03(2)00022Adrian CaceresFW ForwardARG000000000028Kevin GibbensMF MidfielderENG000000000029Paul MurrayMF MidfielderENG0(1)000000(1)00031Ryan AshfordDF DefenderENG0000000000Squad members who ended the season out on loan27Scott BevanGK GoalkeeperENG0000000000 Most appearances RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsTotal1Wayne BridgeDF Defender3801030420422Paul JonesGK Goalkeeper3601030400403Marians PaharsFW Forward3331020363394Anders SvenssonMF Midfielder3311030371385Claus LundekvamDF Defender3401020370376Jason DoddDF Defender2631020293327Chris MarsdenMF Midfielder271102030131James BeattieFW Forward2440030274319Matt OakleyMF Midfielder261003029130Paul TelferMF Midfielder271101029130Paul WilliamsDF Defender271101029130 Top goalscorers RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGPG Goals per game1Marians PaharsFW Forward1436111216390.412James BeattieFW Forward1228002314310.453Anders SvenssonMF Midfielder43401236380.164Kevin DaviesFW Forward22301133270.11Chris MarsdenMF Midfielder32801023310.106Tahar El KhalejDF Defender11300122150.13Jo TessemMF Midfielder22200022240.08Rory DelapMF Midfielder22800012290.0710Fabrice FernandesMF Midfielder11101001120.08Brett OrmerodFW Forward11800001180.06Matt OakleyMF Midfielder12700031300.03Paul TelferMF Midfielder12700031300.03 References Bibliography Holley Duncan Chalk Gary Bull David 2003 In That Number: A Post-War Chronicle of Southampton FC Hagiology Publishing Bristol, England 0-9534474-3-X External links Southampton F.C. official website Category:Southampton F.C. seasons Southampton