What a season!

Wednesday, 12/05/2010

After three seasons without the title, Chelsea claimed a well-deserved third Premier League crown in Carlo Ancelotti’s first season in charge following that final day pummelling of Wigan.

The Blue Boys found form at the right time of the season and after doing the double over Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, they were worthy winners.

John Terry and Alex were strong at the back with the resurgent Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda in devastating form down the left-flank. The usual suspects of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba again delivered in the goal-scoring stakes, with Lamps banging in 22 from midfield and The Drog claiming the Golden Boot with 29 league goals. 

It was a season full of twists and turns, with Manchester United challenging the Blues all the way and Arsenal offering resistance for most of the season, but it was Ancelotti’s men that ground out results when it mattered and exploited their great home record to devastating effect.

Unsung heroes like Salomon Kalou, Nicolas Anelka, John Obi Mikel and Branislav Ivanovic also played their part in a campaign where Chelsea were without the likes of Jose Boswinga and Michael Essien for large parts.

It was a tough season for Manchester United whose only trophy of the season came after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Carling Cup. Wayne Rooney filled the gap left by Ronaldo, but many of his team-mates struggled to raise their game in what was something of a transitional season for The Red Devils.

Dimitar Berbatov again flattered to deceive but the reliable and match-winning talents of the evergreen Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were again in evidence. United’s defence was again solid, despite the long-term absence of Rio Ferdinand and the likes of Patrice Evra and Darren Fletcher again proved their worth to the club. It will be minor surgery rather than a complete overhaul that’s required at Old Trafford in the summer.

Arsenal fans will again feel frustration at seeing their side offer so much but deliver so little, but injury to key players like Van Persie and Fabregas at key times, and the lack of a world-class keeper proved crucial. Arsene Wenger will continue to build for that utopia of beautiful and successful football and isn’t too far away.

Tottenham, Man City and Aston Villa all finished above top four regulars Liverpool, who went so far backwards this season that Rafa Benitez’s head must still be spinning. Spurs ultimately won the fourth place race and with a large proportion of British players in the squad, similar to Aston Villa, that was refreshing to see.

Credit must also go to Wolves and Birmingham for staying up after their first season back in the big league, with the Blues in particular grabbing an amazing top ten finish. Fulham again performed well above their means, reaching the Europa League final and maintaining another solid domestic campaign.

Commiserations to Burnley, Hull and Portsmouth who all dropped out of the division and to West Ham fans and former manager Gianfranco Zola, who endured a torturous season of being constantly undermined at boardroom level, before just avoiding the drop. Let’s hope that Franco, one of the game’s good guys, finds a club that he deserves and that also deserves him.

One Premiership place remains available for next season with the Championship play-off still to be decided after Newcastle and West Brom sealed their return to the big time after impressive campaigns. The Magpies returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking following an impressive season under manager Chris Hughton.

The goals and drive of Kevin Nolan as well as a solid defence marshalled by the consistent Steve Harper in goal proved crucial as the Geordies started well and led from the front for almost the whole season. West Brom played some great football under Roberto Di Matteo with the silky skills and goals of Graham Dorrans proving crucial.

Overall it’s been one of the more exciting and open Premier League campaigns since the division’s inception and despite the money worries of many clubs, the quality of entertainment on offer has continued to improve. Here’s to a great World Cup and a summer filled with plenty of Premier League transfer speculation!

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