4–0 to win the Charity Shield. 17 August 1996 – – David Beckham scores a late goal from the halfway line in Manchester United's 3–0 away win over Wimbledon on the opening day of the season. Fabrizio Ravanelli scores a hat-trick on his Middlesbrough debut as they draw 3–3 at home to Liverpool. Alan Shearer is on the losing side on his Newcastle league debut as they are beaten 2–0 by Everton at Goodison Park. 18 August 1996 – Speculation mounts that Frenchman Arsène Wenger will take over as manager at Arsenal, who sacked Bruce Rioch earlier this month. 21 August 1996 – Alan Shearer scores his first goal for Newcastle United in their 2–0 home league win over Wimbledon. Local rivals Sunderland beat Nottingham Forest 4–1 at the City Ground. 23 August 1996 – Under pressure Manchester City manager Alan Ball signs Arsenal striker Paul Dickov for £1million to prepare for a Division One promotion challenge. 24 August 1996 – Lincoln City manager John Beck is arrested by police in an investigation concerning Customs and Excise. 27 August 1996 – Alan Ball resigns as manager of Manchester City. 28 August 1996 – With his one-year ban from football now over, George Graham is reportedly due to be offered the Manchester City manager's job, 18 months after he was sacked by Arsenal for accepting illegal payments. 29 August 1996 – Dave Bassett, the Crystal Palace manager, is the latest name to be linked with the Manchester City job. 31 August 1996 – The first month of the league season ends with Sheffield Wednesday as Premier League leaders after winning their first three games of the season. Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester United complete the top five, following by newly promoted Sunderland in sixth place. Wimbledon prop up the top flight, with Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City completing the bottom three. In Division One, Stoke City lead the way, a point ahead of Barnsley in the early stages of the race for Premier League football. Norwich City, Tranmere Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and QPR complete the top six. 4 September 1996 – – Ray Wilkins resigns after two years as player-manager of Queen's Park Rangers, who were relegated from the Premier League last season. – Arsenal and Chelsea draw 3–3 in the league at Highbury. In another high scoring Premier League game, Middlesbrough beat West Ham United 4–1 at the Riverside