Everton, who had only just avoided relegation a year earlier, surprised all the observers by clinching the fourth Champions League place (even more remarkable considering they lost striker Wayne Rooney to Manchester United at the end of August).

Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Southampton (after 27 years) went down, but West Bromwich Albion managed to stay up despite being bottom before the games started and also having the worst record of any Premiership team to avoid relegation (six wins and 34 points).

Leading goalscorer: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)- 25 After narrowly missing out on promotion the previous season, Sunderland clinched a return to the top-flight as champions.

Wigan Athletic joined them as runners-up, entering the top-tier for the first time in their history and giving manager Paul Jewell his second promotion to the Premier League in six years.

West Ham United made amends for their loss in the play-off final the previous year by beating Preston North End.

At the bottom of the table, Rotherham United and Gillingham's luck finally ran out, and both were relegated after a short few years in which both clubs battled the odds on small budgets.

At the bottom, Cambridge United and Kidderminster Harriers' finances hit them hard, and they fell out of the league, both on the back of signing several foreign players who proved ineffective.

Leading goalscorer: Phil Jevons (Yeovil Town) – 27 The summer transfer window runs from the end of the previous season until 31 August.