On this day in 2000, Kevin Phillips was named Carling Player of the Season following a sensational debut season in the Premier League. The prolific striker also collected the Carling 'Golden Boot' after topping the scoring charts with a 30-goal haul, as Sunderland A.F.C. finished seventh in the top flight. please log in to view this image SKP was in a league of his own throughout the campaign, with Alan Shearer finishing as runner up on 23 goals and Dwight Yorke finishing third on 20. The Carling Awards Panel, which included England manager, curly permed Kevin Keegan, were left in awe of the striker’s unparalleled record. "Kevin Phillips has made the transition from First Division to the Carling Premiership without a problem, and has been banging in goals for fun with Sunderland. You can't argue with stats, 30 goals in one season is a phenomenal strike rate, and if he can continue this form during Euro 2000 he will make himself a national hero." After bagging 30 goals in 36 games, Philips was also named North East Football Writers' Player of the Year while also bossing the Wear-Tyne derby by scoring three goals in the two games. The Hitchin-born striker failed to register in Sunderland’s season opener against Chelsea, but one week later he was off the mark as he notched a brace against Watford. Goals continued to flow as Phillips netted against newcastle united at a soaking St James’ Park, as the away end witnessed a memorable comeback and an unforgettable goal. By the end of September, the free-scoring Black Cat had announced himself on the big stage with his first top-flight hat-trick, and he continued in a similar fashion throughout a campaign that will forever be etched in Wearside folklore
Good article here from RR on his golden boot season here https://www.not606.com/threads/sorr...record-will-always-be-more-impressive.362322/
