fourth, third and fifth in the 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04 Premier League seasons respectively. On 2 April 2005, Dyer was involved in an on-pitch brawl with teammate Lee Bowyer in Newcastle's Premier League match with Aston Villa, and both had to be pulled apart and separated by their teammates and Villa players. This resulted in Dyer and Bowyer receiving red cards, leaving Newcastle with eight men as Steven Taylor had already been sent-off for a deliberate handball. Dyer was handed a three-match ban by the FA for the sending-off; Bowyer received a four-match ban from the FA and was fined more than six weeks' wages – about £200,000 – by Newcastle. Later in April, The FA increased Bowyer's ban by three more matches and fined him £30,000. In 2006 the Newcastle Magistrates' court fined Bowyer £600 and ordered him to pay £1,000 costs after he pleaded guilty to sparking the brawl. At the start of the 2005–06 season, Dyer was once again on the injured list, this time with a hamstring injury, preventing his selection for club or country. This followed a close-season in which Newcastle manager Graeme Souness signed a number of other midfield players, including Emre Belözoğlu, Scott Parker, Albert Luque and Nolberto Solano. Dyer returned to first-team action on 4 February 2006 against Portsmouth, Newcastle's first match following the departure of Souness. Dyer marked his first start of the season since the opening day against Arsenal with a goal in a FA Cup fifth round match against Southampton on 18 February 2006. Dyer became the first Newcastle United player to score at the Emirates Stadium in a 1–1 draw with Arsenal on 18 November 2006. In what was his first start in seven months, Dyer opened the match's scoring after 30 minutes with his first league goal for Newcastle in over 20 months. He continued his rich vein of form, also scoring against Tottenham Hotspur, Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham City, Aston Villa, AZ and Watford. Following his return from injury, Dyer showed his versatility by playing in central midfield, right midfield and as an attacking midfielder, supporting Obafemi Martins. Dyer was given permission to speak to West Ham United in August 2007 after both clubs agreed an undisclosed transfer fee. On 4 August, West Ham confirmed the deal had fallen through due to Newcastle's pulling out of the deal. However, the deal was rectified with Dyer finalising a