The 2002-03 campaign delivered a triumphant return to the top flight for Manchester City, finishing a respectable 9th in the Premier League, their first season back in the elite under manager Kevin Keegan. The season was defined by one enormous piece of history: The Citizens' final year at their spiritual home, Maine Road, which was capped off by a sensational 3-1 derby victory over rivals Manchester United, ending a 13-year drought. Leading the line was the marquee signing, Nicolas Anelka, whose 14 goals fired the team to a top-half finish and, crucially, secured a spot in the UEFA Cup via the Fair Play ranking, marking the club's return to Europe after 25 years.