The club also reached the FA Cup final to face an Arsenal side which had narrowly missed out on the Premiership trophy; although Southampton lost by a single goal, as Arsenal had already qualified for the Champions League Southampton qualified for the UEFA Cup the following season.

A slow start to the season saw Southampton languishing in the relegation zone after eight matches played,[1] but a run of eight wins and only two losses from the next fifteen matches saw Southampton rocket up the league table, peaking in fifth place.

Unfortunately, the charge for European qualification through the league soon fizzled out as Southampton only won four of their last fifteen matches, dragging them down to eighth place - nonetheless, this was Southampton's highest-ever finish in the Premier League.

The low point of this run was a 6–1 loss against a below-strength Arsenal side preparing for the FA Cup final.

Key to Southampton's high finish was good home form - Southampton only lost two home games all season, against Manchester United and Liverpool.