1997–98 Southampton F.C. season

October 2024 Southampton F.C. 1997–98 Rupert Lowe Dave Jones The Dell FA Premier League 12th FA Cup Third round League Cup Fourth round Matt Le Tissier (11)Egil Østenstad (11) Matt Le Tissier (14) 15,255 v TottenhamHotspur (25 October 1997) 8,004 v Brentford(17 September 1997) 15,159 3–0 v West HamUnited (4 October 1997)4–1 v Barnsley(8 November 1997)3–0 v BlackburnRovers (21 February 1998) 0–4 v Derby County(27 September 1997) _southampton9799h _southampton9799h _southampton9799h _southampton9799h _southampton9799h FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 FF0000 _southampton9798a _southampton9798a _southampton9798a _southampton9798a _southampton9798a FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 034870 _southampton9597a _southampton9597a _southampton9597a _southampton9597a _southampton9597a FFC526 FFC526 FFC526 1390F1 1390F1 1996–97 1998–99 The 1997–98 Southampton F.C. season was the club's 97th season of competitive football, their 28th (and 20th consecutive) in the top flight of English football, and their sixth in the FA Premier League. It was the first season to feature Dave Jones as the club's manager – the first appointed by new chairman Rupert Lowe, who took over from Guy Askham at the end of 1996–97. The campaign was the Saints' best in the league since 1994–95, as the club finished 12th in the table after two seasons in which they avoided relegation by a single point. Outside the league, however, the club fared less positively – they were eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round after just one game, and only made it to the fourth round of the League Cup. After taking over from Graeme Souness in June, Jones added two players from his former Stockport County squad: goalkeeper Paul Jones and left-back Lee Todd. He would continue to add new players throughout the campaign, including breaking the club's transfer record with the £2 million signing of striker David Hirst, as well as selling numerous players – many from Souness' tenure. After a poor start to the league campaign which saw them drop into the relegation zone almost immediately, Southampton's form began to pick up following Hirst's arrival in October. As a result, they picked up a number of key wins over high-profile opposition and climbed the table, briefly making it into the top half before finishing in 12th place, eight points clear of the drop zone. Outside the league, Southampton were eliminated from the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the second season in a row, losing their third round tie to FA Premier League rivals Derby County 0–2 at Pride Park Stadium. In the League Cup, the Saints beat Brentford in both legs of their second round tie, progressing 5–1 on aggregate over a side who would be relegated to the Third Division that season. In the third round they won 2–1 against Barnsley, who had just been promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history (but would be relegated again at the end of the year). The club were eliminated in the fourth round after extra time by Chelsea, who would go on to win the competition after beating First Division promotees Middlesbrough in the final. Southampton used 31 players during the 1997–98 season and had 11 different goalscorers. Matt Le Tissier finished as the club's top goalscorer for a second season in a row (and seventh and last time overall) with 14 goals in all competitions. Kevin Davies and Egil Østenstad finished just behind Le Tissier on 12 and 11 goals, respectively. New goalkeeper Paul Jones made the most appearances for the club during the campaign and won the Southampton F.C. Player of the Season award at the end of the year. The average league attendance at The Dell during 1997–98 was 15,159. The highest attendance was 15,255 against Tottenham Hotspur in the league in October and the lowest was 8,004 against Brentford in the League Cup in September. Background and transfers Ahead of the 1997–98 season, Southampton changed managers for the fourth time in just three years, when Graeme Souness resigned on 24 May 1997 due to disagreements with the club's new chairman Rupert Lowe related to potential spending in the summer transfer window.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-exit-souness-with-mcmenemy-in-tow-1263326.html Football: Exit Souness with McMenemy in tow Metcalf Rupert The Independent 24 May 1997 22 October 2024 On the same day, the club's director of football Lawrie McMenemy also left, claiming that he "shared the frustrations" of Souness, while on-loan midfielder Eyal Berkovic – who was set to sign a permanent deal for the Saints – explained that he did not want to stay at the club without Souness. The next day, the Southampton Independent Supporters Association launched a campaign calling for Souness to be reinstated as manager and the new board, led by Lowe, to resign.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/souness-must-stay-say-southampton-supporters-1263537.html 'Souness must stay' say Southampton supporters Nixon Alan The Independent 25 May 1997 22 October 2024 A month after Souness' resignation, the club announced that Dave Jones, who had just helped Stockport County achieve promotion to the First Division and reach the semi-finals of the League Cup,https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-southampton-to-tempt-jones-from-stockport-1257175.html Football: Southampton to tempt Jones from Stockport Harris Nick Nixon Alan The Independent 20 June 1997 22 October 2024 would be taking over as Southampton manager.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gray-shocks-everton-by-rejecting-job-1257731.html Football: Gray shocks Everton by rejecting job Nixon Alan Metcalf Rupert The Independent 23 June 1997 22 October 2024 thumb|upright|Two games into the season, centre-back Ulrich van Gobbel moved to Dutch side Feyenoord. thumb|upright|Jim Magilton left the Saints after three seasons in September, sold for £1.6 million to Sheffield Wednesday. Maik Taylor 11 11 2007.jpg 350 170 200 20 85 right Maik Taylor was sold to Fulham in November after less than a year at the club. Jones brought two players with him from Stockport County to sign for Southampton: goalkeeper Paul Jones, who had just played every game in Stockport's promotion-winning season, for £900,000,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/paul-jones/ Paul Jones SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 and left-back Lee Todd, who had also been a prominent part of the same team, for £850,000.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/lee-todd/ Lee Todd SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 His only other signing prior to the season starting was Norwegian striker Stig Johansen, who joined from Bodø/Glimt at the beginning of August for £600,000.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/stig-johansen/ Stig Johansen SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 The next week, Jones made his first sale as Dutch centre-back Ulrich van Gobbel (who had signed for Souness' side just ten months earlier) was sold for £800,000 to club Feyenoord – a loss of £500,000 on his signing less than a year previously.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/ulrich-van-gobbel/ Ulrich van Gobbel SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 Squad changes continued throughout the season. In September and October, respectively, midfielders Jim Magilton and Neil Maddison left the club after making over 350 appearances between them – Magilton rejected a new contract and moved to Sheffield Wednesday for £1.6 million,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/jim-magilton/ Jim Magilton SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 while Maddison moved to Middlesbrough for £300,000, helping them to achieve promotion back to the FA Premier League.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/neil-maddison/ Neil Maddison SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 The pair were replaced by two new signings: Kevin Richardson from Coventry City for £150,000https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/kevin-richardson/ Kevin Richardson SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 and Carlton Palmer from Leeds United for £1 million.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/carlton-palmer/ Carlton Palmer SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 Similarly, up front, David Hirst came to Southampton in a club-record £2 million deal from Sheffield Wednesday,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/david-hirst/ David Hirst SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 replacing Mickey Evans who moved to West Bromwich Albion for £750,000 after just seven months at the club.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/micky-evans/ Micky Evans SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 Further sales before Christmas saw midfielder Christer Warren sold for £50,000 to Bournemouth,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/christer-warren/ Christer Warren SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 goalkeeper Dave Beasant loaned, then sent for free, to Nottingham Forest,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/dave-beasant/ Dave Beasant SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 and Maik Taylor and Alan Neilson moving to Fulham for £800,000 and £250,000, respectively.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/maik-taylor/ Maik Taylor SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/alan-neilson/ Alan Neilson SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 In the new year, left-back Simon Charlton – having lost his place in the team to new arrival Todd and in-form Francis Benali – was sold to Birmingham City in the First Division after a month-long loan spell, for a fee of £200,000.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/simon-charlton/ Simon Charlton SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 John Beresford was signed as his replacement from Newcastle United a month later, with Jones paying £1.5 million for him – a new club record fee for a defender.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/john-beresford/ John Beresford SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 Later in February, another left-back, Matthew Robinson, moved to local rivals Portsmouth for £50,000, having made just 17 appearances over a four-season career in the Southampton first team.https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/matthew-robinson/ Matthew Robinson SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 On transfer deadline day in March, Australian midfielder Robbie Slater joined Wolverhampton Wanderers for £75,000,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/robbie-slater/ Robbie Slater SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 and the Saints signed Italian midfielder Cosimo Sarli from Torino, although he failed to make an appearance for the first team and was released the following February.https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=14019 Cosimo Sarli Soccerbase 22 October 2024 Players transferred in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Paul JonesWalesGK GoalkeeperENG Stockport County1 July 1997£900,000Lee ToddEnglandDF DefenderENG Stockport County1 July 1997£850,000Stig JohansenNorwayFW ForwardNOR Bodø/Glimt6 August 1997£600,000Kevin RichardsonEnglandMF MidfielderENG Coventry City9 September 1997£150,000Carlton PalmerEnglandMF MidfielderENG Leeds United23 September 1997£1,000,000David HirstEnglandFW ForwardENG Sheffield Wednesday17 October 1997£2,000,000John BeresfordEnglandDF DefenderENG Newcastle United6 February 1998£1,500,000Cosimo SarliItalyMF MidfielderITA Torino26 March 1998Free Players transferred out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDateFeeRef.Ulrich van GobbelNetherlandsDF DefenderNED Feyenoord14 August 1997£800,000Jim MagiltonNorthern IrelandMF MidfielderENG Sheffield Wednesday9 September 1997£1,600,000Christer WarrenEnglandMF MidfielderENG Bournemouth10 October 1997£50,000Mickey EvansRepublic of IrelandFW ForwardENG West Bromwich Albion24 October 1997£750,000Neil MaddisonEnglandMF MidfielderENG Middlesbrough28 October 1997£300,000Dave BeasantEnglandGK GoalkeeperENG Nottingham Forest3 November 1997FreeMaik TaylorNorthern IrelandGK GoalkeeperENG Fulham14 November 1997£800,000Alan NeilsonWalesDF DefenderENG Fulham26 November 1997£250,000Simon CharltonEnglandDF DefenderENG Birmingham City8 January 1998£200,000Matthew RobinsonEnglandDF DefenderENG Portsmouth20 February 1998£50,000Robbie SlaterAustraliaMF MidfielderENG Wolverhampton Wanderers26 March 1998£75,000 Players loaned in NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Jason BowenWalesFW ForwardENG Birmingham City2 September 199729 September 1997https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/jason-bowen/ Jason Bowen SaintsPlayers.co.uk 22 October 2024 Players loaned out NameNationalityPos. Playing positionClubDate fromDate toRef.Dave BeasantEnglandGK GoalkeeperENG Nottingham Forest21 August 19972 November 1997Simon CharltonEnglandDF DefenderENG Birmingham City5 December 19975 January 1998Steve BashamEnglandFW ForwardWAL Wrexham5 February 199826 March 1998https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/steve-basham/ Steve Basham SaintsPlayers.co.uk 23 October 2024 Stig JohansenNorwayFW ForwardENG Bristol City12 February 19986 March 1998 Pre-season friendlies Ahead of the 1997–98 campaign, Southampton played eight pre-season friendlies. They started their pre-season preparations with a short German tour beginning in mid-July, during which they played five games against local opposition. After a 1–3 loss at Carl Zeiss Jena and a 1–1 draw with Ansbach, the Saints picked up two 2–0 wins over Niederauerbach (in which goals were scored by Jason Dodd and Ulrich van Gobbel) and Idar-Oberstein (in which goals were scored by Steve Basham and trialist Dirk Hebel), before losing the final match 2–4 against Kaiserslautern (Kevin Davies and Egil Østenstad scored for the visitors).Holley Chalk 2003 431 Back in England, the FA Premier League side lost 0–1 to First Division side Reading, before beating Luton Town of the Second Division 3–0 and Swindon Town of the First Division 1–0, with Østenstad scoring in both games. Friendly 13 July 1997 GER Carl Zeiss Jena 3–1 Southampton Le Tissier Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld Jena, Germany L Friendly 16 July 1997 GER Ansbach 1–1 Southampton Maddison Sportpark Ansbach Ansbach, Germany D Friendly 20 July 1997 GER Niederauerbach 0–2 Southampton Dodd van Gobbel Westpfalzstadion Zweibrücken, Germany W Friendly 23 July 1997 GER Idar-Oberstein 0–2 Southampton Basham Hebel Sportgelände Im Haag Idar-Oberstein, Germany W Friendly 25 July 1997 GER Kaiserslautern 4–2 Southampton Davies Østenstad Fritz-Walter-Stadion Kaiserslautern, Germany L Friendly 28 July 1997 Reading 1–0 Southampton Elm Park Reading L Friendly 29 July 1997 Luton Town 0–3 Southampton Evans Maddison Østenstad Kenilworth Road Luton W Friendly 2 August 1997 Swindon Town 0–1 Southampton Østenstad County Ground Swindon W FA Premier League thumb|upright|left|Kevin Davies joined the club just before the end of the 1996–97 season, debuting in the opening game of 1997–98. 1997–98 FA Premier League Southampton had a poor opening start to the 1997–98 FA Premier League campaign, losing their first two games against recently promoted Bolton Wanderers and reigning champions Manchester United and failing to score in either game.Holley Chalk 2003 251 After another loss, 1–3 at home to title challengers Arsenal, the Saints won their first match of the season when they beat Crystal Palace (another team recently promoted from the First Division) 1–0 at The Dell, with Kevin Davies scoring his first goal for the club. Defeats at Chelsea and Coventry City saw the club drop to the bottom of the league table by mid-September.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/13-september-1997/ Premier League table after close of play on 13 September 1997 11v11.com 23 October 2024 After securing only their fourth point of the campaign with a 1–1 draw at home to Liverpool, the Saints lost 0–2 at home to Leeds United, before suffering their heaviest defeat of the campaign when Derby County – in their new Pride Park Stadium – thrashed the South Coast side 4–0, scoring all four goals in the last 15 minutes of the tie.Holley Chalk 2003 252 By the end of September, the club were still bottom of the table, already four points away from safety.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/27-september-1997/ Premier League table after close of play on 27 September 1997 11v11.com 23 October 2024 The Saints picked up one of their season's three 3-goal wins at the beginning of October, beating West Ham United 3–0 at The Dell, with goals from Egil Østenstad, Davies and Jason Dodd coming in a single 15-minute spell early in the second half. Another 0–1 loss at Blackburn Rovers followed, before the side fought back twice from trailing positions to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–2, with new striker David Hirst scoring twice on only his second appearance since joining the previous week. This started a short winning run of three games, which included a 2–0 away victory over Everton, who were also struggling in the bottom quarter of the table, and a 4–1 home win over Barnsley, who had been recently promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history. Following these three consecutive wins, Southampton had risen from 19th to 14th place in the league table.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/8-november-1997/ Premier League table after close of play on 08 November 1997 11v11.com 23 October 2024 Three marginal defeats followed, however, as the Saints succumbed 1–2 at Newcastle United, 2–3 to Sheffield Wednesday, and 0–1 at Wimbledon.Holley Chalk 2003 253 Mid-December saw Southampton beat Leicester City 2–1 at The Dell, with a 2nd-minute Matt Le Tissier opener followed by full-back Francis Benali scoring the first and only senior goal of his career, heading in a free kick from Le Tissier. A 1–1 draw at Aston Villa followed just before Christmas, during which a late goal from a Le Tissier free kick was disallowed after being taken from the wrong position. The Saints ended 1997 with another 1–1 draw, at Crystal Palace, followed by a 1–0 win over Chelsea, after which they had climbed up to 13th in the FA Premier League standings.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/26-december-1997/ Premier League table after close of play on 26 December 1997 11v11.com 23 October 2024 This was followed at the beginning of 1998 by a repeat of the first two fixtures of the season – a goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers, in which the Saints played with ten men for almost an hour following Benali's dismissal, was followed by a 1–0 home win over back-to-back title hopefuls Manchester United. Another convincing defeat at Arsenal was followed by a hard-fought 3–2 win over Liverpool in which Østenstad and Hirst both scored in the last six minutes to give the club their first win at Anfield since 1981.https://www.11v11.com/teams/liverpool/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Southampton/ Liverpool football club: record v Southampton 11v11.com 23 October 2024 Securing their place around the mid-table area, Southampton secured another run of three consecutive wins starting in late-February: first, they beat top-four side Blackburn Rovers 3–0 at home, with Østenstad scoring twice; the next week, they beat another top-half side, Leeds United, 1–0 at Elland Road; and finally, they won 2–1 against Everton despite Ken Monkou being sent off after just 36 minutes.Holley Chalk 2003 254 After losing 3–4 at Barnsley, who were fighting for survival from relegation, the Saints picked up their penultimate win of the campaign over Newcastle United, winning 2–1 at The Dell thanks to a late Le Tissier penalty given for handball. The side's form suffered during April, as they picked up just one point from four games in a "pulsating and totally absorbing" 3–3 draw at Leicester City, losing against Sheffield Wednesday, Wimbledon and Aston Villa in the other three games. A final 4–2 win over West Ham United was followed by a 0–2 loss at home to Derby County and a final day 1–1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. Southampton finished the season in 12th place with 14 wins, six draws and 18 defeats, marking their highest finish in the league since 10th in the 1994–95 season under manager Alan Ball. List of match results 1 9 August 1997 15:00 BST Southampton 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2154 Bolton Wanderers Oakley Blake 43Frandsen Thompson The Dell Southampton 15,206 Martin Bodenham L 2 13 August 1997 20:00 BST Manchester United 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2161 Southampton Beckham 78Irwin Keane P. Neville Johansen Old Trafford Manchester 55,008 Graham Barber L 3 23 August 1997 15:00 BST Southampton 1–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2170 Arsenal Maddison 25Monkou Overmars 20Bergkamp 57 79, Bould Wright The Dell Southampton 15,246 David Elleray L 4 27 August 1997 19:45 BST Southampton 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2180 Crystal Palace Davies 57Magilton Todd Edworthy Roberts Warhurst The Dell Southampton 15,032 Jeff Winter W 5 30 August 1997 15:00 BST Chelsea 4–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2185 Southampton Petrescu 7Lebouef 28Hughes 31Wise 34Sinclair 0 78 Davies 25Monkou 59, Hughes Neilson Williams Stamford Bridge London 30,008 Alan Wilkie L 6 13 September 1997 15:00 BST Coventry City 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2194 Southampton Soltvedt 65, Williams Lundekvam Highfield Road Coventry 18,659 Uriah Rennie L 7 20 September 1997 15:00 BST Southampton 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2207 Liverpool Davies 48Benali Le Tissier Riedle 37Kvarme The Dell Southampton 15,252 Peter Jones D 8 24 September 1997 19:45 BST Southampton 0–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2221 Leeds United Davies Molenaar 36Rod Wallace 55Halle The Dell Southampton 15,102 Stephen Lodge L 9 27 September 1997 15:00 BST Derby County 4–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2226 Southampton Eranio 76 pen.Wanchope 79Baiano 82Carsley 83 Davies Dryden Neilson Pride Park Stadium Derby 25,625 Keith Burge L 10 4 October 1997 15:00 BST Southampton 3–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2238 West Ham United Østenstad 54Davies 65Dodd 68Richardson Breacker Pearce The Dell Southampton 15,212 Mike Riley W 11 18 October 1997 15:00 BST Blackburn Rovers 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2243 Southampton Sherwood 26 Monkou Ewood Park Blackburn 24,130 Gary Willard L 12 25 October 1997 15:00 BST Southampton 3–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2258 Tottenham Hotspur Campbell 54 o.g.Hirst 67 80Palmer Slater Dominguez 42, Ginola 65Vega The Dell Southampton 15,255 Neale Barry W 13 2 November 1997 16:00 GMT Everton 0–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2271 Southampton Phelan Short Watson Goodison Park Liverpool 29,565 Alan Wilkie W 14 8 November 1997 15:00 GMT Southampton 4–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2278 Barnsley Le Tissier 3 pen., Palmer 5Davies 35Hirst 54Monkou Bosančić 37 pen., de Zeeuw Moses Tinkler The Dell Southampton 15,018 Gerald Ashby W 15 22 November 1997 15:00 GMT Newcastle United 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2287 Southampton Barnes 55 75Albert Davies 5Hirst Lundekvam St James' Park Newcastle upon Tyne 36,759 Dermot Gallagher L 16 29 November 1997 15:00 GMT Southampton 2–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2299 Sheffield Wednesday Hirst 48Palmer 55Davies Atherton 28Collins 69Di Canio 84 The Dell Southampton 15,244 Steve Dunn L 17 7 December 1997 16:00 GMT Wimbledon 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2313 Southampton Earle 17 Palmer Selhurst Park London 12,009 Mike Reed L 18 13 December 1997 15:00 GMT Southampton 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2321 Leicester City Le Tissier 1Benali 53Østenstad Savage 84Keller The Dell Southampton 15,121 Stephen Lodge W 19 20 December 1997 15:00 GMT Aston Villa 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2326 Southampton Taylor 64 Østenstad 72 Villa Park Birmingham 29,343 David Elleray D 20 26 December 1997 12:00 GMT Crystal Palace 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2339 Southampton Shipperley 62Fullarton Oakley 39Benali Hirst Lundekvam Selhurst Park London 22,853 Paul Alcock D 21 29 December 1997 20:00 GMT Southampton 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2354 Chelsea Davies 16Palmer Le Saux The Dell Southampton 15,231 Martin Bodenham W 22 10 January 1998 15:00 GMT Bolton Wanderers 0–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2357 Southampton Benali 0 30Davies Dryden Palmer Toughsheet Community Stadium Bolton 23,333 Gary Willard D 23 19 January 1998 20:00 GMT Southampton 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2374 Manchester United Davies 3Dodd Le Tissier Beckham Butt Giggs The Dell Southampton 15,241 Mike Riley W 24 31 January 1998 15:00 GMT Arsenal 3–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2376 Southampton Bergkamp 62Adams 67, Anelka 68Platt Dodd Hirst Monkou Richardson Arsenal Stadium London 38,056 Peter Jones L 25 7 February 1998 15:00 GMT Liverpool 2–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2391 Southampton Owen 24 90Fowler James Hirst 8 pen. 90Østenstad 85Hughes Monkou Williams Anfield Liverpool 43,550 Jeff Winter W 26 18 February 1998 19:45 GMT Southampton 1–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2400 Coventry City Le Tissier 79 pen. Whelan 14Huckerby 29 The Dell Southampton 15,091 Paul Alcock L 27 21 February 1998 15:00 GMT Southampton 3–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2407 Blackburn Rovers Østenstad 19 88Hirst 78Oakley Broomes Hendry The Dell Southampton 15,162 Uriah Rennie W 28 28 February 1998 15:00 GMT Leeds United 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2418 Southampton Palmer 2 76Le Tissier Elland Road Leeds 28,791 Keith Burge W 29 7 March 1998 15:00 GMT Southampton 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2424 Everton Monkou 0 36Le Tissier 69 pen.Østenstad 86 Bilić 0 68Tiler 89, Hutchison Madar The Dell Southampton 15,102 David Elleray W 30 14 March 1998 15:00 GMT Barnsley 4–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2432 Southampton Ward 17Jones 32Fjørtoft 42Redfearn 57 pen. Østenstad 25Le Tissier 41 71Lundekvam Oakwell Barnsley 18,368 Gerald Ashby L 31 28 March 1998 15:00 GMT Southampton 2–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2449 Newcastle United Pearce 69 o.g.Le Tissier 85 pen., Lundekvam Oakley Palmer Lee 46Pistone The Dell Southampton 15,251 Graham Barber W 32 4 April 1998 15:00 BST Sheffield Wednesday 1–0 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2457 Southampton Carbone 78 Lundekvam Hillsborough Stadium Sheffield 29,677 Peter Jones L 33 11 April 1998 15:00 BST Southampton 0–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2471 Wimbledon Lundekvam Leaburn 38 The Dell Southampton 14,815 Mike Reed L 34 14 April 1998 19:45 BST Leicester City 3–3 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2480 Southampton Lennon 18Elliott 52Parker 90 pen. Østenstad 17 27, Hirst 49Lundekvam Filbert Street Leicester 20,708 Graham Poll D 35 18 April 1998 15:00 BST Southampton 1–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2487 Aston Villa Le Tissier 19 Hendrie 6Yorke 60 The Dell Southampton 15,238 Alan Wilkie L 36 25 April 1998 15:00 BST West Ham United 2–4 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2498 Southampton Sinclair 42Lomas 82 Le Tissier 40Østenstad 63 86, Palmer 80 Boleyn Ground London 25,878 Dermot Gallagher W 37 2 May 1998 15:00 BST Southampton 0–2 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2511 Derby County Benali 0 54Le Tissier Dailly 50Sturridge 88. Carsley Kozluk Laursen Wanchope The Dell Southampton 15,202 Mike Riley L 38 10 May 1998 16:00 BST Tottenham Hotspur 1–1 https://www.premierleague.com/match/2525 Southampton Klinsmann 27Campbell Le Tissier 21Palmer White Hart Lane London 35,995 Peter Jones D Final league table y SOU RSSSF Results by matchday table b Round Ground H / A / H / H / A / A / H / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / A / H / A / H / A / A / H / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A / H / A Result L / L / L / W / L / L / D / L / L / W / L / W / W / W / L / L / L / W / D / D / W / D / W / L / W / L / W / W / W / L / W / L / L / D / L / W / L / D Position 18 / 17 / 19 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 19 / 19 / 17 / 16 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 16 / 15 / 15 / 13 / 13 / 12 / 12 / 11 / 12 / 11 / 11 / 10 / 11 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 12 / 12 / 11 / 12 / 12 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 11v11.com FA Cup 1997–98 FA Cup Southampton entered the 1997–98 FA Cup in an away tie against fellow FA Premier League side Derby County, just over three months after a 0–4 loss at the new Pride Park Stadium in the league.Holley Chalk 2003 406 Kevin Davies created a couple of chances to score in the first half, but it was the hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock through Francesco Baiano and others. It took until the 68th minute for the first goal, when Baiano converted a penalty given for a foul on him by Carlton Palmer – Southampton club historians claim that Palmer "had not even attempted a tackle and no contact was made", crediting Baiano's "amateur dramatics" for gaining the spot kick. Five minutes later, Chris Powell scored a second to put Derby through to the fourth round and eliminate the Saints at the first hurdle. Round 3 3 January 1998 Derby County 2–0 Southampton Baiano 68 pen.C. Powell 73D. Powell Benali Pride Park Stadium Derby 27,992 Gerald Ashby L League Cup 1997–98 Football League Cup Southampton entered the 1997–98 League Cup in the second round against Brentford, who were struggling in the lower regions of the Second Division table. In the first game at The Dell, the FA Premier League hosts eased past the third-tier side 3–1, with Ken Monkou, Kevin Davies and Micky Evans all on the scoresheet.Holley Chalk 2003 295 A 2–0 win in the return leg at Griffin Park – both goals scored in the first half by Matt Le Tissier – saw the club through. An all-Premier League affair in the third round saw Southampton beat recent promotees Barnsley 2–1 at Oakwell, with Davies scoring a winner in the final two minutes after the game had been level for over an hour. Another top-flight side, Chelsea, hosted the Saints in the fourth round. Davies opened the scoring shortly after the half-time break, but Tore André Flo equalised just ten minutes later. With replays having recently been abandoned in the tournament, the tie went to extra time, when Jody Morris scored just before the end of the second period to put Chelsea through. Round 2 Leg 1 17 September 1997 Southampton 3–1 Brentford Monkou 37Davies 60Evans 69Richardson Taylor 66Hurdle The Dell Southampton 8,004 Gary Willard W Round 2 Leg 2 30 September 1997 Brentford 0–2 1–5 Southampton McGhee Le Tissier 31 44, Davies Griffin Park London 3,957 Paul Taylor W Round 3 14 October 1997 Barnsley 1–2 Southampton Liddell 26 Le Tissier 15Davies 88Lundekvam Oakwell Barnsley 9,019 Jeff Winter W Round 4 19 November 1997 Chelsea 2–1 yes Southampton Flo 61Morris 118 Davies 52, Palmer Stamford Bridge London 20,968 David Elleray L Other matches Outside the league and cup competitions, Southampton played three additional matches during the second half of the 1997–98 season. The first was a friendly against Conference side Woking in January, which ended in a 1–1 draw (Kevin Davies scored for the visitors). A second friendly, at Southern League side Dorchester Town, ended in a 2–0 win for the Saints through a David Hirst brace. The final match took place two days after the end of the league season, against recently crowned La Liga champions FC Barcelona. The Spanish hosts won the tie 4–0, with two goals from Iván de la Peña in the first half followed by second-half goals from Mario Rosas and Luis Cembranos.https://players.fcbarcelona.com/en/match/g0929-barcelona-southampton Barcelona – Southampton (4–0) – Friendly – 12/05/1998 FC Barcelona 23 October 2024 Friendly 23 January 1998 Woking 1–1 Southampton Davies Kingfield Stadium Woking D Friendly 20 March 1998 Dorchester Town 0–2 Southampton Hirst The Avenue Stadium Dorchester W Friendly 12 May 1998 ESP Barcelona 4–0 Southampton de la Peña 23 39Rosas 59Cembranos 82 Camp Nou Barcelona, Spain L Player details Southampton used 31 players during the 1997–98 season, 11 of whom scored during the campaign.Holley Chalk 2003 255, 295, 406 13 players made their debut appearances for the club, including eight of their nine first team signings (John Beresford, Jason Bowen, David Hirst, Stig Johansen, Paul Jones, Carlton Palmer, Kevin Richardson, and Lee Todd), one signing from the previous season (Kevin Davieshttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/kevin-davies/ Kevin Davies SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 ), and four players making the step up from youth to the first team (Kevin Gibbens,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/kevin-gibbins/ Kevin Gibbins SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 Duncan Spedding,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/duncan-spedding/ Duncan Spedding SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 Phil Warner,https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/phil-warner/ Phil Warner SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 and Andy Williamshttps://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/andy-williams/ Andy Williams SaintsPlayers.co.uk 21 October 2024 ). Five of these – Bowen, Johansen, Richardson, Spedding, and Todd – also made their last appearances for the Saints during the campaign, as did mid-season departees Simon Charlton, Mickey Evans, Neil Maddison, Jim Magilton, Alan Neilson, Matthew Robinson, Robbie Slater, and Ulrich van Gobbel. New goalkeeper Jones made the most appearances for Southampton during the season, playing in all 43 games across all three competitions. Matt Le Tissier finished as the club's top goalscorer for the seventh time in the last nine seasons, with 11 goals in the league and three in the League Cup. Jones won the Southampton F.C. Player of the Season award in the 1997–98 season. Squad statistics No. Squad numberNamePos. Playing positionNat. NationalityLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalDisciplineApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoalsApps. AppearancesGoals13px13px1Paul JonesGK GoalkeeperWAL3801040430002Jason DoddDF DefenderENG3611030401203Lee ToddDF DefenderENG9(1)0001010(1)0104Carlton PalmerMF MidfielderENG2631030303815Ken MonkouDF DefenderNED30(2)1103134(2)2616Claus LundekvamDF DefenderNOR3100040350907Matt Le TissierMF MidfielderENG25(1)11103329(1)14708Matt OakleyMF MidfielderENG32(1)1104037(1)13010Egil ØstenstadFW ForwardNOR21(8)110(1)01022(9)113012Richard DrydenDF DefenderENG11(2)0001012(2)02013Neil MossGK GoalkeeperENG000000000014John BeresfordDF DefenderENG10000001000015Francis BenaliDF DefenderENG32(1)1102(1)035(2)13216Kevin DaviesFW ForwardENG20(5)9103(1)324(6)126017Cosimo SarliFW ForwardITA000000000018Kevin RichardsonMF MidfielderENG25(3)0104030(3)03020Darryl FlahavanGK GoalkeeperENG000000000021Andy WilliamsMF MidfielderWAL3(17)00(1)01(2)04(20)02023Duncan SpeddingDF DefenderENG4(3)0000(1)04(4)00024Steve BashamFW ForwardENG0(9)000000(9)00025Stig JohansenFW ForwardNOR3(3)0001(1)04(4)01026David HughesMF MidfielderENG6(7)010007(7)02027David HirstFW ForwardENG28910103093028Kevin GibbensMF MidfielderENG200000200029Phil WarnerDF DefenderENG0(1)000000(1)000Squad members who left before the end of the season4Jim MagiltonMF MidfielderNIR50000050109Mickey EvansFW ForwardIRL6(4)0002(1)18(5)10011Robbie SlaterMF MidfielderAUS3(8)0000(1)03(9)01013Maik TaylorGK GoalkeeperNIR000000000014Neil MaddisonMF MidfielderENG5(1)100005(1)10017Simon CharltonDF DefenderENG2(1)0001(1)03(2)00018Ulrich van GobbelDF DefenderNED1(1)000001(1)00019Alan NeilsonDF DefenderWAL3(5)000205(5)02020Dave BeasantGK GoalkeeperENG000000000022Matthew RobinsonDF DefenderENG0(1)000000(1)00028Jason BowenFW ForwardWAL1(2)000001(2)000 Most appearances RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsStartsSubsTotal1Paul JonesGK Goalkeeper3801040430432Jason DoddDF Defender3601030401413Matt OakleyMF Midfielder3211040371384Francis BenaliDF Defender3211021352375Ken MonkouDF Defender3021030342366Claus LundekvamDF Defender3100040350357Kevin RichardsonMF Midfielder2531040303338Egil ØstenstadFW Forward2180110229319David HirstFW Forward280101030030Carlton PalmerMF Midfielder260103030030Matt Le TissierMF Midfielder251103029130Kevin DaviesFW Forward205103124630 Top goalscorers RankNamePos. Playing positionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGPG Goals per game1Matt Le TissierMF Midfielder1126013314300.472Kevin DaviesFW Forward925013412300.403Egil ØstenstadFW Forward1129010111310.354David HirstFW Forward92801019300.305Carlton PalmerMF Midfielder32601033300.106Ken MonkouDF Defender13201132360.067Neil MaddisonMF Midfielder160000160.17Mickey EvansFW Forward01000131130.08Francis BenaliDF Defender13301031370.03Matt OakleyMF Midfielder13301041380.03Jason DoddDF Defender13601031400.03 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 Southampton