a hat-trick in their 5–1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday, whose UEFA Cup hopes are ended by the result. Coventry City, meanwhile, are left needing a miracle to save their 30-year tenure in the top flight due to a 2–1 home defeat by Derby County. 4 May 1997 – Stoke City beat West Bromwich Albion 2–1 in their last game at the Victoria Ground, their home for a national record of 119 years. 5 May 1997 – Manchester United draw 3–3 at home to Middlesbrough in a thrilling game between the leaders (now on the brink of title glory) and a side fighting for every point in a quest for survival. 6 May 1997 – Newcastle's goalless draw at West Ham and Liverpool's 2–1 defeat at Wimbledon means that Manchester United are Premier League champions for the fourth time in five seasons. In Liverpool's defeat, Michael Owen scores the consolation goal in only his second appearance for the club, making him the club's youngest ever league goalscorer at the age of 17 years and 144 days. 7 May 1997 - A late Matt Elliott goal for Leicester three points from Sheffield Wednesday, making the East Midlands club safe from relegation. 11 May 1997 – On a dramatic final day of the Premier League season, Coventry City pull off a miracle survival act by beating Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 at White Hart Lane. Middlesbrough – who would have survived at the expense of Coventry had it not been for their points deduction – go down after being held to a 1–1 draw by Leeds United at Elland Road. Sunderland lose 1–0 to Wimbledon at Selhurst Park, but their fans are left waiting after the final whistle to hear whether their team have survived; when the news comes through that Coventry have won, it is confirmed that Sunderland are relegated. 12 May 1997 – Aston Villa pay a club record £7 million for Liverpool striker Stan Collymore. 14 May 1997 – Everton sign Croatian defender Slaven Bilić from West Ham United for £4.5million. 17 May 1997 – Chelsea end their 26-year wait for a major trophy, and Ruud Gullit becomes the first foreign manager to win one, with a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup final. 18 May 1997 – Manchester United are left shocked after their iconic striker Eric Cantona announces his retirement from football six days before his 31st