Stadium. 7 September 1996 – – A Saudi consortium is reported to be in the process of taking over Manchester City in a £70million deal. – Middlesbrough's high scoring start to the season continues as they beat Coventry City 4–0 at home, with Fabrizio Ravanelli and Juninho both scoring twice. Wimbledon inflict the same scoreline on Everton at Selhurst Park. 9 September 1996 – Leeds United sack Howard Wilkinson, their manager since 1988, the day after they lost 4–0 at home to Manchester United in a Premier League game. 13 September 1996 – Caretaker manager Stewart Houston quits Arsenal, who are targeting Arsène Wenger as their new manager but are waiting to agree a compensation deal with Nagoya Grampus Eight for his services. 14 September 1996 – Alan Shearer faces his old club Blackburn Rovers for the first time since his transfer to Newcastle United, and scores a penalty in a 2–1 home win. 16 September 1996 – Stewart Houston is appointed manager of Queen's Park Rangers. 19 September 1996 – Dave Bassett rejects an offer to manage Manchester City. 20 September 1996 – In a reversal of roles, Bruce Rioch becomes Stewart Houston's assistant at Loftus Road. 21 September 1996 – Czech midfielder Patrik Berger scores twice as Liverpool demolish Chelsea 5–1 in the league at Anfield; he also scored twice in the previous weekend's 3–0 win at Leicester City. 28 September 1996 – – Arsenal appoint 46-year-old Frenchman Arsène Wenger as their new manager. – Middlesbrough's fine start to the season collapses as they are beaten 4–0 at Southampton, with Matt Le Tissier showing signs of a return to his old form by scoring twice. 29 September – Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scores both of Manchester United's goals as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 in the league at Old Trafford. 30 September 1996 – – Manchester United reject a £5million offer from Everton for Andy Cole, whose place in the first team has been placed under threat from strong performances by new signing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. – September ends with Liverpool as Premier League leaders, Arsenal second, Manchester United (defending champions) third, underdogs Wimbledon fourth, and last season's runners-up Newcastle United fifth. Blackburn Rovers, champions two seasons ago, are bottom of the Premier League having failed to win any of their opening eight games. Coventry City occupy second from bottom place, while Southampton occupy the final relegation