A symbolic changing of the guard at the top of English football for the first time in 5 seasons, a record-breaking 1,066 goals scored, an enthralling three-way race for European football, a bitter fight to avoid the drop and a dramatic season finale. 2011-2012: That was the season that was.
Manchester City (1st Position, 89 points)
The Blue Moon has risen: The league’s strongest team deservedly ended 44 years of hurt. Joe Hart’s 15 clean sheets, Vincent Kompany’s inspirational leadership and Yaya Touré’s unquestionable influence were key to success. Roberto Mancini will look to strengthen in the form of Lille’s Eden Hazard. City must now take the next step: Europe.
Manchester United (2nd Position, 89 points)
Close but no (Twentieth) Cigar: Sir Alex Ferguson’s team will rue blowing the 8-point lead that they had in April. An admirable title challenge only papered over the cracks in the squad. Goalkeeper De Gea grew into his role but investment in a midfielder to replace the influential Paul Scholes is of paramount importance.
Arsenal (3rd Position, 70 points)
Gunners Still Gunning for Glory: A remarkable 15th consecutive season of Champions League football guaranteed is the minimum expected of Arsène Wenger. Keeping captain Robin van Persie is a must. Mikel Arteta has impressed in Jack Wilshere’s absence. A number of summer arrivals are expected including FC Köln’s Lukas Podolski and Stade Rennais’s Yann M’Vila.
Tottenham Hotspur (4th Position, 69 points)
Opportunity Spurned: A season of ‘What could’ve been…’ for Spurs as speculation surrounding Harry Redknapp with the vacant England managerial job coincided with a dramatic dip in form. The vultures will again be hovering over midfielders Luka Modrić and Gareth Bale. Their Champions League fate will be decided when FC Bayern Munich meet Chelsea.
Newcastle United (5th Position, 65 points)
Keeping Things Black and White: Alan Pardew confounded everyone by bringing European football back to St James’ Park. Strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cissé have been revelations whilst midfielder Yohan Cabaye and defender Fabricio Coloccini have excelled. The Magpies must now look to build on this season’s achievements and not become a selling institution.
Chelsea (6th Position, 64 points)
AVB. It’s Easy as RDM: A season of two halves at The Bridge. AS Roma-bound André Villas-Boas’ attempt at an immediate overhaul spectacularly backfired. Caretaker manager Di Matteo’s reversion to the ‘Old Guard’ has paid dividends, especially in Europe. Whether he is the man to oversee a transition at the club remains to be seen.
Everton (7th Position, 56 points)
Terrific Toffees: Despite being financially hamstrung, David Moyes continues his excellent work at Goodison Park. The January Transfer Window signings of Nikica Jelavić and Steven Pienaar were a touch of genius and coincided with an upturn in form. Further investment is required if The Toffees are to make a push for European football next season.
Liverpool (8th Position, 52 points)
Dalglish Walks Alone at Anfield: Victory in the Carling Cup final doesn’t make up for a thoroughly disappointing season for The Reds. Big name signings have failed to perform whilst the Suárez-Evra race-gate tarnished the club’s reputation. King Kenny is yet to convince and rumours are linking Rafael Benítez with a sensational return to Anfield.
Fulham (9th Position, 52 points)
Martin’s Jol-ly at The Cottage: Another very steady season for The Cottagers who’ll be disappointed not to have progressed further in this season’s Europa League. American Clint Dempsey has had his best ever season, scoring an impressive 17 goals. Wingers Kerim Frei and Alexander KaÄaniklić look real prospects with striker Pavel Pogrebnyak a success upfront.
West Bromwich Albion (10th Position, 47 points)
Hodgson the Hero at The Hawthorns: A 3rd consecutive season in the top-flight underlines the excellent job done by the England’s new manager. Ben Foster’s consistency warrants him an England recall whilst Peter Odemwingie has had another productive season in attack. Birmingham City’s Chris Hughton has been sounded out as Hodgson’s possible successor.
Swansea City (11th Position, 47 points)
Rodgers That: This season’s surprise package. The Swans must be commended on adhering to their free-flowing footballing philosophy that at times took the breath away. Joe Allen and Leon Britton have orchestrated proceedings in midfield alongside the highly sought after Gylfi Sigurðsson with goalkeeper Michel Vorm undoubtedly one of the signings of the season.
Norwich City (12th Position, 47 points)
High-flying Canaries: An excellent first season back in the top-flight for Paul Lambert’s team. Solid enough at Carrow Road, their 5 away wins coupled with impressive draws at Liverpool and Arsenal have really caught the eye. Elliott Bennett has held his own in midfield and praise should rightfully be directed at striker Grant Holt.
Sunderland (13th Position, 45 points)
O’Neil tames The Black Cats: An unspectacular season at The Stadium of Light. Martin O’Neill’s arrival saw The Black Cats move up into the top-half of the table however the early impetus has since fizzled out. O’Neill will look to stamp his own identity on the squad which could result in a summer clear out.
Stoke City (14th Position, 45 points)
Picture perfect for Pulis’s Potters: A tiring Europa League campaign had a direct impact on the domestic season. Nonetheless, consolidation is just what manager Tony Pulis would have wanted. Out of the top-six sides, only Newcastle United managed to win at the Britannia Stadium. The season’s highlight: that Peter Crouch volley against Manchester City.
Wigan Athletic (15th Position, 43 points)
Time for another Great Escape: At one stage The Latics looked doomed for relegation however Roberto Martinez’s decision to revert to a bold 3-4-3 formation was the turning point. Athletic goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, disciplined midfielders James McCarthy and James Macarthur and skilful striker Victor Moses were crucial cogs in pulling off another miraculous escape.
Aston Villa (16th Position, 38 points)
Doomed from the very beginning: A paltry 7 wins all season, an unpopular defensive playing style and a number of injuries to key personnel, namely striker Darren Bent, proved to be decisive factors in Alex McLeish’s departure. Now the question is, can owner Randy Lerner persuade Number One target Paul Lambert to Villa Park?
Queens Park Rangers (17th Position, 37 points)
We ‘R’ Staying Up: Owner Tony Fernandes will be relieved that his gamble to change manager midway through the season paid off. Their excellent home form in the tough looking run-in ultimately kept them up. Mark Hughes will need to further strengthen in the summer to avoid a repeat of this year’s performance.
Bolton Wanderers (18th Position, 36 points)
Trotting in the wrong direction: The Trotters 10-year stay in the Barclays Premier League comes to an unhappy end. Owen Coyle’s squad lacked quality and depth and sorely missed long-term absentees Stuart Holden and Chung-Yong Lee. A lack of cutting edge up front combined with a porous defensive line led to the team’s downfall.
Blackburn Rovers (19th Position, 31 points)
Venky’s Chickens come home to Roost: Where to begin? No communication from the owners, mismanagement on the pitch and crowd protests. Steve Kean’s squad was good enough to stay up however his inexperience coupled with costly mistakes at crucial moments proved to be their undoing. An uncertain future lies ahead for the Lancashire club.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (20th Position, 25 points)
Wandering into the Wilderness: A dismal season for the West Midlands club that was principally brought about by the ludicrous mid-season sacking of Mick McCarthy. Underperforming players and shambolic defending were contributory factors. The only bright spark was winger Matt Jarvis. A big rebuilding task lies ahead for the newly appointed manager Ståle Solbakken.
Manager of the Season: Alan Pardew (Newcastle United)
Player of the Season: Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
Signing of the Season: Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
Goal of the Season: Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United vs. Bolton Wanderers, 9th April 2012)
Game of the Season: Arsenal 3-3 Norwich City (5th May 2012)
Twitter: @aleksklosok
