2010-11 English Premier League Review

United return to the summit

Manchester United battled back to claim the English Premier League crown in 2011, in what was an exciting season, full of nerve-wracking twists and turns.  With several teams jostling for the top four spots and the outright lead itself being picked up by four different teams in turn; United outlasted their rivals to finish nine points clear of Chelsea, in second and big spending Manchester City, in third.  In truth, the season was low on technical quality and brilliance as the heavyweights from the red side of Manchester were the best of an inconsistent bunch of teams, all the while profiting from apparent and trenchant immunity from officialdom.  Still, a league campaign is won by a team making the most of its parts over the course of a long 10 month marathon; and for being able to do that, United deserve their coronation.

Their latest triumph was built on graft and individual moments of inspiration from both rookie and veteran members of their squad.  Summer recruit, young Javier Hernandez, aka, Chicarito, was a revelation up front with his clinical finishing and assured goal poaching while Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes rolled back the years for one final hurrah before the latter confirmed his retirement at season’s end.  At the back Nemanja Vidic, with the help of a fair bit of leniency from referees, cemented his place as one of the World’s top centre-halves, often presenting an impenetrable man mountain in defence.  Wayne Rooney blew hot and cold with a nightmarish start to the season, replete with transfer rumours and contractual disputes before firing in the title run in.

 

Not a vintage win by any sorts but a crucial campaign as it now pulls United one ahead of Liverpool with 19 league wins to the latter’s 18.  Ominously, 10 of them have been in the last 18 seasons.

For the rest, it was a season of missed opportunity and promise for some, a nightmare for others and a bit of both for Arsenal.  Chelsea started like a house on fire, destroying all in front of them in a frenetic opening two months of goals to gallop ahead of the pack.  However a shock defeat to Liverpool in November, themselves near the foot of the table, stopped them in their tracks and they stuttered to fall down to fourth at the end of the year. 

Manchester City, despite a morbid lack of attacking intent at times, nicked a win over Chelsea themselves to slowly emerge as title contenders over the winter.  Liverpool started in reverse and were in the relegation places around Christmas.  Roy Hodgson was fired as manager, NESV bought the club and Anfield talisman Kenny Dalglish was reinstated as manager.  Although they improved with wins over United and Chelsea, their season was one to forget, finishing in sixth, closer to the drop than the summit.

City led the league at the turn of the year by a small gap over United and Arsenal.  The latter, steady and at times spectacular, stayed in Chelsea’s shadow at the start of the season, before overhauling both Chelsea and City with composed wins over the pair.  Arsene’s young charges finally seemed like title contenders and were firing on all cylinders.  United, slow starters again, looked unlikely and unable to get out of second gear but they stayed in touch, never dropping out of the top four.  By January, they had efficiently gotten into top spot, picking their way up the table as rivals dropped points and squandered leads.

However, over the winter months, as Chelsea stuttered, and City perspired, Arsenal completely imploded.  A good home win over European champions Barcelona was a healthy boost for a daunting February.  However, the club then lost to Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final as their season unravelled in alarming, and at times, familiar fashion.  A game away from taking over the lead from United, they won once in their last 11 games to drop out of contention and finish fourth.

As United pulled away, Chelsea reignited their challenge but it was too little too late, and they finished a distant second, despite beating United in March and signing Fernando Torres from Liverpool in the January transfer window.  City finished strong, beating United enroute to the FA Cup as they sealed the third automatic Champions’ League spot ahead of Arsenal.

Top Players:

Robin Van Persie – Imperious when healthy, the Dutchman was a sore bright spot in a dismal 2011 for Arsenal.  Set records for consecutive away goals, successive opening tallies and finished with 18 goals in a curtailed season.  No one averaged fewer minutes per strike.  With Cesc Fabregas, seemingly on his way out, Van Persie is potentially Arsenal’s future captain and primary attacking threat, chipping in with seven helpers for a total of 25 goals being scored through him.  Arsenal need to wrap him up and put him on layaway.

Carlos Tevez – A late season strop and injury problems notwithstanding, Tevez was the ace in the hole for Manchester City.  City’s only world class striker, his presence in the side was their main threat for most of the season.  20 goals are impressive by anyone’s standards but on a defensive team like City, equated to a lion’s share of their point haul.  And he didn't take a single penalty.

Peter Odemwingie – A stellar season in which the Nigerian marksman notched 15 times and created another seven to ensure West Brom broke free of the cycle of yo-yo existence.  11 times he was the opening name on the score sheet for his side and is a diamond in the rough playing at one of the Premier League’s less fashionable sides.  Potent up front and an able playmaker, he was one of the division’s top forwards.

Rafael Van Der Vaart – An excellent signing by Tottenham, his presence in attacking midfield gave them a cultured and composed cutting edge.  The Dutchman’s goals in the first half of the season threatened to make Spurs into outright title contenders.  Unlike many foreigners, he has taken to the Premiership like a duck to water.  Irrepressible going forward and a joy to watch with the ball at his feet, he is enjoying a complete rejuvenation in North London with 13 goals and 8 assists.

Javier Hernandez – A prolific poacher with a cheeky reserve of confidence, his goals were instrumental in opening up and locking up tight games for United.  Preferred as the second striker in place of the more accomplished Dimitar Berbatov, he cemented his place at the front of United’s formation as the season wore on.  Toothy grin and impish face mask a competitive talent, one who will go on to notch at least a 100 premiership goals.

Vincent Kompany – Quiet and efficient, his presence at the back for Manchester City has allowed the team to flourish in manager Roberto Mancini’s image of defensive stolidity and rapid counter-attack.  Rarely in the spotlight, the Belgian’s work at the back was second to none, both tall and quick, while looking completely assured in possession.  Arguably the Premiership's top defender without any caveats and a big reason why City kept a division high 18 clean sheets.

Jack Wilshere – Unleashed despite his tender years and a starter in midfield for Arsenal, the young Englishman came of age in his debut season.  Full of running, tough in the tackle and able to play one-touch football at high pace, his emergence warmed the hearts of both Arsenal and England fans.  His passing is both creative and direct, and he gets into tricky forward positions.  Wilshere is very much the future of Arsenal.

 

Dimitar Berbatov - Critics may point to the loss of his starting spot, but at the end of the day if you score 20 goals in a season, it's a memorable one.  Admittedly he filled up against the lesser lights, his hat-trick against Liverpool notwithstanding; but every time Liverpool, Arsenal or Tottenham complain about not finishing off the minnows, United can point to the Bulgarian.  In a season of narrow margins, his finishing converted many a potential banana skin into an afterthought.

Didier Drogba - Along with Van Persie, the 33 year old Ivorian was responsible for the most number of goals in the division adding 13 assists to his 12 goals.  In a season in which Chelsea was good, stale and then stuttering, Drogba still got it done even while he was gently being ushered towards the exits.  With Fernando Torres clearly earmarked as the future, Drogba refused to go quietly and was still the focal point of Chelsea's attack in a season in which he was less devastating than usual.

Top Ten Moments:

Manchester City 1 – 0 Chelsea – September 2010 – The first definite sign that Manchester City, with all their money and talking off the pitch, could get it done on the pitch.  An early test at the start of the season was passed with flying colours as City, led by Tevez and marshalled by Kompany, fired an early shot across their rivals’ bows.  The blue side of Manchester was on its way.

Wayne Rooney signs new United deal – October 2011 – After a month of speculation and an admission by both manager Alex Ferguson and Rooney that a move had been requested, the English striker performed a dramatic U-turn by signing a contract extension and quashing a potential move to his stated destination, Manchester City.  The pendulum had swung back to the red side of Manchester and the morale boost was palpable.

Liverpool 2 – 0 Chelsea – November 2011 – Up to this point in the season, Chelsea were rampant, while Liverpool were just getting back into their stride after a tragic (some would say comic) start to the season.  Still, few would have bet on the Reds beating their London rivals.  Future Blue Fernando Torres scored a double and Chelsea were halted in their tracks.  They would not return to the top of the table again.

Arsenal 3 – 1 Chelsea - December 2011 – Chelsea had emerged as one of the Gunners’ nemeses, with five straight wins including a 2-0 win earlier in the season.  However, Arsenal battled back with a commanding performance in a high octane game displaying all that was lacking in previous defeats – heart, passion, tough tackling and physicality.  Arsenal would go on to top the table.

Fernando Torres moves to Chelsea – January 2011 - Unhappy and out of form, Torres had demanded a move after citing a lack of motivation on account of stagnation and little ambition at Liverpool.  A CAD$ 80 million pound transfer later, he had his wish and had gone from Anfield hero to hated turncoat villain.  It wasn’t enough that he agitated for a move, he showed up at Stamford Bridge.

Wayne Rooney elbowing Jamie McCarthy – Manchester United v Wigan, February 2011 – The action itself was dastardly, the refereeing reaction cowardly and the aftermath more damning still.  Despite a flagrant red card worthy foul, Rooney escaped censure and then got a hug from the match official at game’s end.  If there ever was proof of United’s favourable treatment, this game was the most definite example.  United won the match but the league lost.

Liverpool 3 – 1 Manchester United – March 2011 – After an unbeaten start to the campaign, United had lost at Wolves before THAT game at Wigan (see above).  A defeat at Chelsea followed and United were wobbling, with Arsenal set to pounce.  Liverpool, seeking revenge for the FA Cup defeat earlier in the season, compounded the misery with a complete team performance to hammer the Red Devils with a Luis Suarez masterclass.

Tottenham Hotspur 3 – 3 Arsenal – April 2011 – local bragging rights superseded the race for league positioning as the two North London teams put on a display for the ages.  Fast paced football flowed from end to end, equally punctuated by sparkling offence and high drama.  Both punters and global TV audience were sent home highly entertained by teams that were intent on asserting regional dominance; on this evidence, both were winners.

Manchester United 2 – 1 Chelsea – May 2011 – And that, was that.  In a game that mirrored United’s season, goals from their two most reliable players ensured that the challenge of Chelsea was finally put to bed and the title all but secured.  United had split all their games against the big teams but they made sure that the biggest one of the season was won, with plenty to spare.  Chelsea were consigned to second, United were champions.

Manchester City 1 – 0 Stoke City – May 2011 – Manchester City won their first trophy for 35 years with a comfortable and typical FA Cup final triumph.  Yaya Toure’s goal paid quick dividends on their new owner’s rich investment as Roberto Mancini planted his flag and brand of football in England.  City went on to clinch third spot and guarantee Champions’ League participation next year, a new era beckons?