completed by Wolverhampton Wanderers, Norwich City and Stoke City. 2 February 1997 – Alan Shearer scores a hat-trick as Newcastle United beat Leicester City 4–3 at home in the league. 4 February 1997 – Manchester United lose their defence of the FA Cup with a 1–0 fourth round replay defeat to Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. Marcus Gayle gave Wimbledon the lead, and Peter Schmeichel looked to have saved United with a last-minute goal, but it was ruled offside. This means that United will not be playing in the FA Cup final for the first time since 1993. 6 February 1997 – West Ham United pay a club record £2.3million for Newcastle United striker Paul Kitson. 10 February 1997 – Leicester City defender Neil Lewis is sentenced to six months in prison for affray after being found guilty of attacking a man with a bottle in a nightclub brawl. 12 February 1997 – Blackburn Rovers sign OB Odense and Denmark striker Per Pedersen for £2.5million. 15 February 1997 – The latest FA Cup upset sees Premier League Nottingham Forest eliminated 1–0 by Division Two Chesterfield at Saltergate, while on the same day fellow Premier League club Leeds United suffer a 3–2 embarrassment at home to Division One Portsmouth, and Division One Birmingham City's FA Cup hopes are ended with a 3–1 home defeat by Division Two surprise package Wrexham. 22 February 1997 – – Middlesbrough sign Bradford City and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer for £1.5million. – Ian Marshall scores a hat-trick as Leicester City beat local rivals Derby County 4–2 in the league at Filbert Street. 23 February 1997 – Wimbledon pull of their second surprise win of the month when a Vinnie Jones goal gives them a 1–0 league win over Arsenal at Highbury. 27 February 1997 – Dave Bassett leaves Crystal Palace to take over as manager at Nottingham Forest. 28 February 1997 – Steve Coppell is appointed as Crystal Palace manager for the third time since 1984. February ends with Manchester United still top of the Premier League and Liverpool now their nearest contenders, while Newcastle United, Arsenal and Aston Villa complete the top five. The bottom three main unchanged from the last month-end. Bolton Wanderers remain top of Division One, their nearest rivals now being Wolverhampton Wanderers who are 10 points behind them in second place. The top six is completed by Barnsley, Sheffield United, Norwich City