Let's play: FA Premier League Manager 2002

BBC Sport Online reviewer David Gibbon is well and truly hooked on FA Premier League Manager 2002 - although he still believes Championship Manager has the edge, just.

It's the easiest job in the world being a football manager - as long as you've got Michael Owen in your side.

After a summer of Ashes misery and tennis trauma, the appetites of English sporting fans have well and truly been whetted by the return of the Premiership and Owen's heroics in Germany.

As you'd expect, the world of video games is not far behind.

  FA Premier League Manager 2002

Format: PC CD-ROM

Price: £29.99

Publisher: EA Sports

Genre: Football management

Also Available: Dreamacast

Codemasters are working on LMA Manager 2002 and Eidos have an updated version of Championship Manager, but first out of the blocks is this excellent effort from EA Sports.

Unlike most other management games, this one comes with the official FA stamp, meaning teams, kits, stadiums and players are about as realistic as you can get.

It offers you the chance to become a manager in any one of seven European leagues, including the Premiership, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A.

Demand

One of the most interesting new features is the cleverly titled EAmail. This allows you to keep on top of things, especially with daily management decisions, which need a quick reply.

Another addition, unique to PLM 2000, is the chance to negotiate realistic management goals with the chairman.

If he wants the title you can demand the resources to win it, if not you can target the Cup.

As well as performances on the field, you will also be concerned with events off it.

Most management games ask you to manage your team first and foremost, but here the business side of things is just as important.

It may sound tedious, but once you get involved in the hiring and firing of staff and ground developments, it's just as enjoyable as the nitty gritty of squad selection and team affairs.

You can set individual players specific training tasks and organise all the usual stuff - but it's all done with such ease and flair that you'll keep coming back for more.

The tactical side of things isn't as good as it could be. And in this department you have to say Championship Manager is still the undisputed king.

  Gibbon's Verdict

Graphics: 82%

Playability: 78%

Sound: 67%

Realism: 84%

Overall: 83%

However, FA Premier League Manager 2002 offers such excellent end-of-match analysis that you soon know which players are performing, which are not and what areas of training they need to concentrate on.

The 3D match engine brings TV-style match camera angles with improved player animation, highlights are more gripping and the commentary from Clive Tyldsley and Andy Gray is spot on.

For me, Championship Manager is still supreme. But it's certainly a close run thing.

In fact, choosing to play between the two is going to be really difficult - until Championship Manager 4 is released next year.

FA Premier League Manager 2002 is released on 14 September.