The 2012–13 Premier League (the Barclays Premier League for sponsorship reasons) was the 21st season of the Premier League, the English professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1992, and the 114th season of top-flight English football overall. The fixture schedule was released on 18 June 2012. The season began on 18 August 2012 and ended on 19 May 2013. <br /><br />The Moment That Happens During The Season. <br />Sir Alex Bows Out With His 13th Premier League Title With Manchester United. <br />Mancini Is Sacked At Manchester City. <br />Chelsea Win The Europa League. <br />Arsenal Edge Of Tottenham To Finish 4th Place. <br />Liverpool Start Their Era With Brendan Rodgers. <br />David Moyes Leaves Everton After 11 Years. <br />Swansea City Win The League Cup. <br />QPR And Reading Are Relegated. <br />Wigan Won The FA Cup Despite Getting Relegated. <br />Southampton appoints Pochettino. <br /><br />Summary <br /><br />The season opened the weekend of 18 August 2012. Defending champions Manchester City opened their season with a narrow 3–2 victory over Southampton, who had just been promoted back to the Premier League after seven seasons in lower divisions. Man City had taken a 1–0 lead, with Southampton turning it on its head to go 2–1 up with 20 minutes remaining. City eventually came back and Samir Nasri scored the winning goal with ten minutes left. In a Monday evening fixture at Goodison Park, Manchester United started their season with a 1–0 loss to Everton, the goal scored by Marouane Fellaini. The first goal of the season, however, was scored by Swansea City's Michu, whose team thrashed Queens Park Rangers 5–0 away from home. <br /><br />Manchester United recovered from their opening week loss with a 3–2 win over Fulham in their opening home game at Old Trafford, but lost striker Wayne Rooney to injury during the match. Other second week highlights included Chelsea's 2–0 win over Newcastle United, with recent Belgian signing Eden Hazard in both goals. <br /><br />Early leaders Chelsea had a week off, while a win by Manchester City over Queens Park Rangers left the defending champions two points off the pace. The game was a highly anticipated rematch between the two teams that squared off on the final day of the 2011–12 season, when Manchester City snatched the title on goal difference with a late goal by Sergio Agüero. This time though, it was less exciting, with Manchester City comfortably winning 3–1. Level on points with Manchester City in second place were Swansea City, who registered a 2–2 draw with Sunderland, and West Bromwich Albion, who defeated Everton 2–0. <br /><br />Premier League (c) FA
