A loss at Highbury at the start of February was just a second in the league all season, and kept Chelsea in second place, just a point off the summit.

Eventually, three draws in April against winnable opposition (mid-table sides Middlesbrough and Leicester City, and relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday) is what cost Chelsea a first Premiership crown.

A total of more than £28 million had been spent on Dwight Yorke, Jaap Stam and Jesper Blomqvist, while several older players left the club; Gary Pallister returned to Middlesbrough after nine years for £2.5 million, while Brian McClair returned to Motherwell on a free transfer.

In December, however, McClair was back in the Premier League as Brian Kidd's assistant at Blackburn Rovers.

The only newly promoted club to survive was Middlesbrough, who finished in ninth place - their highest final position for more than 20 years.

These two promotion winners surprised the observers more than any other Division One side during 1998–99, but were widely expected to struggle in the top flight.

They replaced Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Crystal Palace, with all three relegated teams returning to the First Division after a single season in the top flight.