Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City - Everyone was a winner here. Exciting action for the neutrals, two ridiculously late goals, controversial refereeing, not to mention Michael Owen's most important contribution of the season. Plus, Manchester City fans had to admit, grudgingly, that United were still Manchester's top dogs, whilst United fans became worried that City will catch them in the next couple of years. It simply had everything.
Match of the Season 2
Fulham 4-1 Juventus - Perhaps not as great a spectacle as the Manchester derby purely on its own merits, but ultimately more memorable. Losing the first leg 3-1 and going behind to a David Trezeguet strike after ten minutes in this match wasn't the greatest start. But Fulham scored the 4 goals they needed to go through to the Europa Cup quarter finals. More importantly, Roy Hodgson's often patronised side had beaten the European giants to prove decisively their genuine pedigree. Oh and it also had two sending offs and a masterful display from Bobby Zamora.
Favourite Moment
Not technically a moment, but: No more sycophantic pundits salivating over the beloved "Top 4". A poor season for the Premier League's standard bearers: Chelsea and Man Utd were well short of their best, Arsenal's challenge predictably petered out when it mattered most and Liverpool were utterly woeful. No English representative in the Champions League Semi Finals isn't a great testament either. Nor is the fact that they are no longer the "Top 4".
Least Favourite Moment
The "Hand of Gaul". Thierry Henry united football fans worldwide with his homage to Diego Maradona. The Republic of Ireland were comfortably the better side in this Play-Off second leg before being robbed by the former Arsenal man's Extra Time slight of hand. I'm not alone in wishing Roy Keane was still an Irish player at the time as we may well have seen the "Hand of Cork" ... smashing straight into Henry's face. Consolation comes from the knowledge that any side who are comfortably outplayed by an average Republic of Ireland side will not be troubling the Championship rounds of the World Cup.Unsung Hero
There are two reasons for his inclusion in this award. Firstly, his win in the Dutch Eredivisie with Twente represents both the biggest achievement from an English manager this century, but it also offers McClaren a semblance of redemption after his comic tenure as England manager. Which is not to say that he isn't still something of a clown. Just as his achievement is under appreciated, so is the inexplicable but hilarious Dutch accent that he has adopted.
If you watch no other video make sure you watch this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZnoP4sUV90
Villain
John Terry - An obvious choice. If Ashley Cole is more popular than you then you are deserving of a place in any villains list.
If even Sky cancel their pre kick-off adverts then you know it's a big event. Here's the "handshake" again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXHbXN1Dbc
Owners of the Season
Arsenal's. The infighting and takeover speculation at Arsenal would ordinarily preclude their omission from any ownership awards. However, they are the third most valuable football club in the world (behind Man Utd and Real Madrid). With pre-tax profits of £35.2 million and a debt reduction of £129.2 million, Arsenal's owners have ensured a period of growth over the next few years. Peter Hill-Wood has promised that the revenue from the Highbury Square development would be reinvested in the squad and the Emirates. So a promising season for the Gunners on the field could be supplemented by a healthy bank balance for the club. This should give Arsene Wenger ample money to spend in the next couple of years.
What We Have Learnt
That the current finances of English clubs are unsustainable. The sight of Portsmouth and Hull wallowing in a quagmire of debt and the popularity of Manchester United and Liverpool's owners are an indictment of the indulgence of the Premier league over the past decade. Something must change.
Quote of the Season
"He's like a Playstation player" ~ Arsene Wenger on Lionel Messi after the Argentinian's four goal salvo in Barcelona's 4-1 quarter final victory.
Wenger summed up perfectly what we all think of Lionel Messi, just as football writers worldwide penned bloated articles lazily churning out cliched platitudes.. The quality of Messi's football, at times, defies typical footballing descriptions. He is the most devastating combination of natural ability and actual achievement in the last 20 years. And he is only 22.
Just watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5UksOpQL2E
In 20 years they'll still be talking about... "The Messi World Cup". Spain and Brazil are most people's favourites to lift the World Cup. However, there is something to be said for Argentina. After an indifferent qualifying campaign, they beat Germany in a friendly. If Maradona can reign in his "eccentricities" and Messi can replicate his club form, then they are far more than dark horses. Messi will make the most singular mark on a World Cup since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.
The Ryan Giggs Award For Turning Back Time
Paul Scholes has approached his best this season. With little pace to lose, he has become the fulcrum of United's midfield alongside the revelatory Darren Fletcher. At 36, he is the best passer of the ball anywhere outside Barcelona. It is a shame, therefore, that he will not receive anything approaching the same accolades as Giggs did last season.
Scariest Moment of the Season
If looks could kill, Roy Keane would be looking at a long stretch behind bars:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgT8KUzULZI
And just to be detailed, here's another:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFulcDJDJEU&feature=related
Not as good as everyone thought
Rafa Benitez - More "fat Spanish waiter" than Shankley's long lost heir. Did anyone notice the change from him being called Rafael Benitez to Rafa Benitez? Thought not.
Young Players of the Season
I am going to mention two young English stars and two Welsh ones. Jack Rodwell has proven himself to be a composed and supremely talented holding midfielder, whilst Jack Wilshere has impressed on loan at Bolton. Welsh fans have one of the finest young full backs/ wingers in the world in Gareth bale and, in my opinion, the best of the four in Aaron Ramsey. These four British youngsters have been the pick of the Premiership's U21s.Imagine if Great Britain's Olympic midfield was:
Bale Ramsey Rodwell Wilshere
A video of Aaron Ramsey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuzbOpgiJ7c
Cliche of the Season
Wigan play good football. This phrase was rolled out before every single Wigan match this season by some expert or another. In reality, we mean that Wigan pass the ball around, but lack the personnel to hurt any serious side. They harmlessly knock the ball around at about half the pace of Arsenal without ever looking particularly threatening. There is a reason they finished 16th. Contrast them with Stoke, who combine direct football with some, much underrated, tidy play.
Glad To See the Back of Them
Hull City - They offered absolutely nothing to the Premier League. Apart from an incredible start to the 2008-09 season, they have been, without exception, a woeful excuse for a top flight side.
Everyone's second team this summer
Spain
Everyone wants them to lose
Thierry Henry and his French team mates.
Finally ... Wayne Rooney is realising his potential. Sure, he has always been a rare talent. But there was a time when an emerging Lionel Messi was seen as Argentina's pathetic answer to "our Wayne" and Pele and Maradona would soon be merely the second and third best players ever. Okay, so maybe we got a little carried away at the time.
Rooney's 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaPZZ9_VDqU
Best Advert
"If Carlsberg did teamtalks" - this could be the best advert since Guinness' were actually good. Although, I'm almost certain that Fabio Capello wouldn't let Phil Taylor throw darts around in the tunnel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66OuJZGDCHE
