What a season! Even from a personal, Spurs-minded point of view, it’s been a roller coaster. The English season ended on a fittingly dramatic note last night in Moscow as Manchester United added the Champions League trophy to their Premier League crown and left Chelsea with nothing to show for their late season surge at success. There was great fun for the neutrals as disliked players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and John Terry fluffed their lines when it came to penalties and all in all it capped off one of the more entertaining season in living memory.
Where to start? Instinct points me to Arsenal. In the early parts of the season, they were flying. Bereft of Thierry Henry, they suddenly found it in themselves to dust off his departure and play amazing football. Emmanuel Adebayor looked every bit the top striker as he scored for fun and Arsenal fans typically started getting mouthy about their title chances. Typically, they cocked it up.
Somewhere between getting hammered by Spurs in the Carling Cup semi final and Wenger’s decision not to strengthen his side in January, Arsenal lost their way both physically and mentally. They went on a frustrating winless run, not losing games but failing to secure maximum points. They were destroyed by Man Utd in the FA Cup, captain William Gallas had a tantrum after the Birmingham game ended in a draw and Eduardo was ruled out for the season after a sickening challenge in the same game.
The massively entertaining Champions League game with Liverpool, which Liverpool won, ended Arsenal’s season - trophyless again. You have to wonder how much patience Arsenal fans must have. Despite the fact that Wenger is undoubtedly a fantastic coach and Arsenal are capable of some mesmeric football at times, it is now THREE years since any kind of trophy for the Gunners. All the talk of being a transitional side is wearing thin. Next year, they must deliver something.
Arsenal’s decline was mirrored by Man Utd’s steady rise. They started the season badly with defeat at Manchester City and draws with Reading and Portsmouth. However, once the amazing Cristiano Ronaldo got into gear, there was no stopping them. Ronaldo played quite sensationally, leaving opposition fans breathless with his array of tricks and skill. He finished the year top scorer as well and was heralded as the best in the world.
Add him to the collective genius of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Ryan Giggs and it made United an irresistible force. They stayed out in front for the closing months of the season and though they lost to Chelsea taking the race to the last game of the season, they were always in the box seat and comfortably won on the last day at Wigan.
As for the Champions League, they thoroughly deserved to win it. Out muscling Barcelona in the semi final, they held their nerve against Chelsea when it looked like they would crumble. Ronaldo missed his penalty but fate was on United’s side as John Terry slipped and missed the decisive kick meaning that Van Der Sar could later save from Nicolas Anelka and win the game for the Premier League champions.
United’s defeat in the FA Cup at home to Portsmouth was one of many shocks in this years competition as none of the big four made it to the semi finals. Portsmouth went on the beat Cardiff in the final, giving Harry Redknapp a winners medal at last.
Chelsea had a poor season on paper. No trophies, despite two final appearances and a last day title race. But their season was a dramatic one. Manager Jose Mourinho was sacked early on in the season after an average start and was replaced by Avram Grant, who steadied the ship but didn’t offer much more. Or so it seemed. Chelsea were beaten in the Carling Cup final by a resurgent Tottenham but staged a late fight back to take the title down to the last day. They beat Man Utd along the way and showed tremendous character. They were eventually beaten but no-one could have forecast their involvement.
They even managed to beat Liverpool in a Champions League semi final after two defeats to them in three years at the same stage. However, luck was not on their side in Moscow and they lost on penalties. Speculation remains as to whether Avram Grant will still be in a job next year. He appears to be as tactically astute as one Joe Mourinho but Abramovich’s patience must be tested by the lack of silverware this year and don’t be surprised to see him out. It will be an interesting summer at the Bridge.
Everton won the best of the rest league with Aston Villa, Pompey and Blackburn not far behind. All of these teams look to be strengthened over the summer and you can assume they will be around the same places next year. They will likely be joined by the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham who had contrasting but still underachieving seasons. Newcastle were rid of Sam Allardyce by Christmas and although Kevin Keegan’s return did not herald instant results, they did avoid the drop and they look like a potential force.
Tottenham had a calamitous start to the year. Bad results forced out popular manager Martin Jol and in came Spaniard Juande Ramos, a successful coach with Seville. Results slowly improved and Ramos led the team to a 5-1 crushing of fierce rivals Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi final. Wembley beckoned and on a glorious day for Spurs fans, Jonathan Woodgate scored the winner in extra time as they came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1. Results severely dipped after that as Tottenham became glued to 11th place. Many put the slump down to a lack of focus after getting beaten on penalties by PSV in the UEFA Cup and Spurs are expected to be a force next year.
Personally, I think several players will need to leave Spurs and key singing will need to be made. If the brilliant Dimitar Berbatov leaves then so be it - just replace with someone good. Next year could be a good one for Tottenham - having said that, so was this year. Who knows what will happen at White Hart Lane.
In fact, who knows what will happen at all next season? Will the Man Utd dominance continue? Will Chelsea still be a force should the likes of Drogba and Lampard leave? Will Arsenal ever win something to merit their great football? And what of the new boys, West Brom, Stoke and Hull or Bristol City? Will they be the new Derby County? Or will they do well? Will Liverpool ever make a serious title bid? Will Sunderland continue their Roy Keane-inspired progress? Will the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and John Terry EVER transfer their club form to England?
I cant wait to find out.
Oh, and, by the way, if you read my article ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, you’ll notice that I predicted a Man Utd double in both trophies. Have that.
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