However, a 1–0 win at home to rivals Southampton, followed by a first FA Premier League away win at Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park, proved to be the catalyst for a run of form that included a famous 1–0 win over Manchester United in April, with Steve Stone (rejected by Sir Alex Ferguson on a bid to join United less than two years earlier) the scorer in Portsmouth's first win over United in nearly 60 years. This surprise win handed Portsmouth a relegation lifeline, as it lifted them out of the drop-zone for the first time since early February. A 2–1 away win over Leeds and a 1–1 draw at home to Fulham in their next two matches confirmed that Portsmouth would not be relegated in their first Premier League outing. The club signed off their impressive Premier League debut season with a 5–1 crushing of the season's League Cup winners Middlesbrough at Fratton Park on the final day of the season, 15 May.