The 2001-2002 season was another commendable year for Leeds United, as they finished in 5th place in the Premier League, accumulating 66 points and scoring 53 goals. This solid performance reaffirmed Leeds’ competitive stature in English football.
Key Players
Mark Viduka: The Top Scorer
Mark Viduka emerged as Leeds United’s top scorer, netting 17 goals throughout the season. His striking ability and presence in the box made him a crucial asset to the team.
Robbie Fowler’s Contributions
In addition to Viduka, Robbie Fowler also played a vital role, contributing 12 goals in the Premier League. His experience and skill helped to bolster the squad’s attacking options.
Other Competitions
In domestic competitions, Leeds United faced challenges:
- FA Cup: Exited in the Third Round.
- League Cup: Advanced to the Fourth Round.
European Competitions
Leeds United continued their journey in Europe but faced a tough opponent in the UEFA Champions League. They were eliminated by PSV Eindhoven, losing 1-0 on aggregate. This defeat underscored the competitive nature of European football at the highest level.
Managerial Changes
The season was marked by significant managerial changes:
- In July, Terry Venables took over as the manager, replacing David O’Leary, who was sacked on 27 June. Venables aimed to build on the foundations laid by O’Leary and enhance the team’s performance.
Conclusion
The 2001-2002 season showcased Leeds United‘s resilience and talent. With a strong squad led by key players like Mark Viduka and Robbie Fowler, Leeds solidified their place in the Premier League while navigating the complexities of European competition. The managerial shift also set the stage for future development, making this season a pivotal moment in the club’s history.
Premier League 2001-2002 Season Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal (C) | 38 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 79 | 36 | +43 | 87 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 38 | 24 | 8 | 6 | 67 | 30 | +37 | 80 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 38 | 24 | 5 | 9 | 87 | 45 | +42 | 77 |
| 4 | Newcastle United | 38 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 74 | 52 | +22 | 71 |
| 5 | Leeds United | 38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 53 | 37 | +16 | 66 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 38 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 66 | 38 | +28 | 64 |
| 7 | West Ham United | 38 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 48 | 57 | −9 | 53 |
| 8 | Aston Villa | 38 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 46 | 47 | −1 | 50 |
| 9 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 49 | 53 | −4 | 50 |
| 10 | Blackburn Rovers | 38 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 55 | 51 | +4 | 46 |
| 11 | Southampton | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 46 | 54 | −8 | 45 |
| 12 | Middlesbrough | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 35 | 47 | −12 | 45 |
| 13 | Fulham | 38 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 36 | 44 | −8 | 44 |
| 14 | Charlton Athletic | 38 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 38 | 49 | −11 | 44 |
| 15 | Everton | 38 | 11 | 10 | 17 | 45 | 57 | −12 | 43 |
| 16 | Bolton Wanderers | 38 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 44 | 62 | −18 | 40 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 38 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 29 | 51 | −22 | 40 |
| 18 | Ipswich Town (R) | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 41 | 64 | −23 | 36 |
| 19 | Derby County (R) | 38 | 8 | 6 | 24 | 33 | 63 | −30 | 30 |
| 20 | Leicester City (R) | 38 | 5 | 13 | 20 | 30 | 64 | −34 | 28 |
Leeds United 2001-2002 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 18 Aug 2001 | Leeds United v Southampton | W | 2-0 |
| Premier League | 21 Aug 2001 | Arsenal v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| Premier League | 25 Aug 2001 | West Ham United v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| Premier League | 08 Sep 2001 | Leeds United v Bolton Wanderers | D | 0-0 |
| Premier League | 16 Sep 2001 | Charlton Athletic v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| UEFA Cup | 20 Sep 2001 | Maritimo v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| Premier League | 23 Sep 2001 | Leeds United v Derby County | W | 3-0 |
| UEFA Cup | 27 Sep 2001 | Leeds United v Maritimo | W | 3-0 (Agg: 3-1) |
| Premier League | 30 Sep 2001 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Cup | 09 Oct 2001 | Leicester City v Leeds United | W | 0-6 |
| Premier League | 13 Oct 2001 | Liverpool v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| UEFA Cup | 18 Oct 2001 | Leeds United v Troyes | W | 4-2 |
| Premier League | 21 Oct 2001 | Leeds United v Chelsea | D | 0-0 |
| Premier League | 27 Oct 2001 | Manchester United v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| UEFA Cup | 01 Nov 2001 | Troyes v Leeds United | L | 3-2 (Agg: 5-6) |
| Premier League | 04 Nov 2001 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | W | 2-1 |
| Premier League | 18 Nov 2001 | Sunderland v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| UEFA Cup | 22 Nov 2001 | Grasshoppers v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| Premier League | 25 Nov 2001 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | D | 1-1 |
| League Cup | 28 Nov 2001 | Leeds United v Chelsea | L | 0-2 |
| Premier League | 02 Dec 2001 | Fulham v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| UEFA Cup | 06 Dec 2001 | Leeds United v Grasshoppers | D | 2-2 (Agg: 4-3) |
| Premier League | 09 Dec 2001 | Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| Premier League | 16 Dec 2001 | Leeds United v Leicester City | D | 2-2 |
| Premier League | 19 Dec 2001 | Leeds United v Everton | W | 3-2 |
| Premier League | 22 Dec 2001 | Leeds United v Newcastle United | L | 3-4 |
| Premier League | 26 Dec 2001 | Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| Premier League | 29 Dec 2001 | Southampton v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| Premier League | 01 Jan 2002 | Leeds United v West Ham United | W | 3-0 |
| FA Cup | 06 Jan 2002 | Cardiff City v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| Premier League | 12 Jan 2002 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| Premier League | 20 Jan 2002 | Leeds United v Arsenal | D | 1-1 |
| Premier League | 30 Jan 2002 | Chelsea v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| Premier League | 03 Feb 2002 | Leeds United v Liverpool | L | 0-4 |
| Premier League | 09 Feb 2002 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| UEFA Cup | 21 Feb 2002 | PSV Eindhoven v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| Premier League | 24 Feb 2002 | Leeds United v Charlton Athletic | D | 0-0 |
| UEFA Cup | 28 Feb 2002 | Leeds United v PSV Eindhoven | L | 0-1 (Agg: 0-1) |
| Premier League | 03 Mar 2002 | Everton v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| Premier League | 06 Mar 2002 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | W | 2-0 |
| Premier League | 17 Mar 2002 | Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers | W | 3-1 |
| Premier League | 23 Mar 2002 | Leicester City v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| Premier League | 30 Mar 2002 | Leeds United v Manchester United | L | 3-4 |
| Premier League | 01 Apr 2002 | Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| Premier League | 07 Apr 2002 | Leeds United v Sunderland | W | 2-0 |
| Premier League | 13 Apr 2002 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| Premier League | 20 Apr 2002 | Leeds United v Fulham | L | 0-1 |
| Premier League | 27 Apr 2002 | Derby County v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| Premier League | 11 May 2002 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | W | 1-0 |
