Last Sunday saw the most exciting climax to the Premier League season imaginable with two injury time goals from Manchester City ensuring they won their first league title since 1968 at the expense of city rivals Manchester United. That was the final act in a season which has thrown up some of the most ridiculous results and amazing goals for years. Here is my squad of choice based purely on this season's performances:
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
England's undisputed number one 'keeper further cemented his reputation as one of the world's finest with a series of incredible performances. Saves from Darren Bent at Villa Park and Andy Carroll at Anfield particularly stand out but Hart was one of the key components throughout Manchester City's title winning campaign. The Sky Blues only conceded 29 goals in 38 matches and Hart played in every game. Athleticism, leadership skills and raw shot-stopping ability mean that the 25-year-old will not be fearing for his place at the Etihad Stadium any time soon, even with the club's incredible financial resources.
Right back: Kyle Walker
The PFA Young Player of the Year built on last season's impressive loan spell at Aston Villa by becoming Spurs' undisputed first choice right back. Fantastic going forward and astute defensively, the 21-year-old has caught the eye this year - not least through a couple of fantastic goals. A 25-yard screamer to win the North London derby at White Hart Lane and an incredible swerving free-kick against Blackburn may have been his only two goals of the campaign but they won't be forgotten quickly. There is much more to come from the former Sheffield United man who will be devastated to be ruled out of the Euro 2012 squad through injury.
Centre back (captain): Vincent Kompany
The Belgian's stock has risen year-on-year during his spell at the Etihad Stadium and under Roberto Mancini has developed into a true leader of men. Awarded the captaincy this season, the former defensive midfielder didn't disappoint. Forming a formidable partnership with Joleon Lescott, his aerial ability, confidence on the ball and competitive nature have made him the Premier League striker's worst nightmare. Kompany's importance to his club was emphasized by a loss of defensive stability when he missed a few games through suspension during the winter. He only scored three goals all year but crucially, the last was the match winner against United in the crunch late-season derby at the Etihad. The big centre back will be disappointed that he won't have the opportunity to show his skills off at Euro 2012 this summer, as Belgium failed to qualify.
Centre back: Jonny Evans
The Northern Irish defender was awarded the number 6 shirt by Sir Alex Ferguson at the start of the season, but even then most people wouldn't have expected him to play as many games as he has. Following on from a couple of disappointing seasons, Evans was made the scapegoat for his red card in United's humiliating 6-1 defeat to Manchester City in October. However, Nemanja Vidic's injury alllowed him to form a partnership with Rio Ferdinand for the second half of the campaign which saw United remain in the title race right until the final day. Evans has fantastic passing ability for a defender and over the course of the season has grown in stature and confidence to become one of the best centre-backs in the league. At 24, the Belfast-born Red Devil will be hoping that on Vidic's return, it will be Ferdinand and not him who is ousted from the team.
The Northern Irish defender was awarded the number 6 shirt by Sir Alex Ferguson at the start of the season, but even then most people wouldn't have expected him to play as many games as he has. Following on from a couple of disappointing seasons, Evans was made the scapegoat for his red card in United's humiliating 6-1 defeat to Manchester City in October. However, Nemanja Vidic's injury alllowed him to form a partnership with Rio Ferdinand for the second half of the campaign which saw United remain in the title race right until the final day. Evans has fantastic passing ability for a defender and over the course of the season has grown in stature and confidence to become one of the best centre-backs in the league. At 24, the Belfast-born Red Devil will be hoping that on Vidic's return, it will be Ferdinand and not him who is ousted from the team.
Left back: Leighton Baines
The Everton left-back's reputation within the game has been growing over the past few years and this season was one of his best yet. Playing in an Everton team who struggled before the January additions of Nikica Jelavic, Darron Gibson and Steven Pienaar saw them rocket up the table, the former Wigan man was one of the rare constants. A pearler of a free-kick against Swansea in March was only a glimpse of Baines' talent as he is now recognised as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Rumours have indicated that both Bayern Munich and Manchester United are interested in signing Everton's number 3 in the summer, and the Toffees would do well to hold onto him.
The Everton left-back's reputation within the game has been growing over the past few years and this season was one of his best yet. Playing in an Everton team who struggled before the January additions of Nikica Jelavic, Darron Gibson and Steven Pienaar saw them rocket up the table, the former Wigan man was one of the rare constants. A pearler of a free-kick against Swansea in March was only a glimpse of Baines' talent as he is now recognised as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Rumours have indicated that both Bayern Munich and Manchester United are interested in signing Everton's number 3 in the summer, and the Toffees would do well to hold onto him.
Right midfield: Antonio Valencia
Easily Manchester United's most dynamic player during the title run-in, the Ecuadorean winger has bounced back after last season's broken ankle and has become one of the most feared wide men in England. A pin-point cross, something which deserts many of his contemporaries, a powerful shot and most potently his blistering pace makes Valencia one of the most effective players in Sir Alex Ferguson's armoury. The 26-year-old lacks the tricks of Nani and can't hit free-kicks like Ashley Young but his consistency is what has made him United's first choice winger in the eyes of most fans. Surprisingly Ferguson omitted him from the starting line up in the late-season showdown at the Etihad, but few expect him to make that mistake again.
Centre midfield: Yohan Cabaye
The French midfielder was signed by Newcastle last summer to little fanfare yet connoisseurs of the European game were already aware of his blossoming talent. A crucial element in Lille's first title-winning campaign for 57 years last season, the £4.4m transfer fee paid for the 26-year-old has turned out to be an incredible bargain. Demba Ba and later Papiss Cisse have been raking in the plaudits for their goalscoring efforts but it is the number 4 who has been pulling the strings at St James' Park. A wonderful free-kick against Manchester United in January will last long in the memories of the Geordie faithful and he may yet figure as a key player for the France national team at Euro 2012.
The French midfielder was signed by Newcastle last summer to little fanfare yet connoisseurs of the European game were already aware of his blossoming talent. A crucial element in Lille's first title-winning campaign for 57 years last season, the £4.4m transfer fee paid for the 26-year-old has turned out to be an incredible bargain. Demba Ba and later Papiss Cisse have been raking in the plaudits for their goalscoring efforts but it is the number 4 who has been pulling the strings at St James' Park. A wonderful free-kick against Manchester United in January will last long in the memories of the Geordie faithful and he may yet figure as a key player for the France national team at Euro 2012.
Centre midfield: Ramires
Chelsea have had a bizarre season to say the least, with two different managers, a captain facing an impending court case and league form which has not been up to the standards of the past decade at Stamford Bridge. Yet one player who has come on leaps and bounds this year has been the Brazilian midfielder Ramires. Employed in a central midfield shuttling role under Andre Villas-Boas and now on the right side of Roberto Di Matteo's 4-2-3-1, the former Benfica man has got better and better. Netting 12 goals in all competitions as opposed to just two last season, the Blues' number 7 is going to be a huge loss in tomorrow night's Champions League final which he will miss through suspension.
Chelsea have had a bizarre season to say the least, with two different managers, a captain facing an impending court case and league form which has not been up to the standards of the past decade at Stamford Bridge. Yet one player who has come on leaps and bounds this year has been the Brazilian midfielder Ramires. Employed in a central midfield shuttling role under Andre Villas-Boas and now on the right side of Roberto Di Matteo's 4-2-3-1, the former Benfica man has got better and better. Netting 12 goals in all competitions as opposed to just two last season, the Blues' number 7 is going to be a huge loss in tomorrow night's Champions League final which he will miss through suspension.
Left midfield: David Silva
Labelled the 'Spanish Messi' by some, Manchester City's playmaker-winger extraordinaire may not get as many goals as Barcelona's Argentine but he has the same rare finesse only seen in the world's most technically gifted players. The stand-out player in City's infamous 6-1 victory at Old Trafford, the Canary-Islander displayed the kind of genius not seen in the Premier League since the days of Gianfranco Zola and Dennis Bergkamp. Silva's form tailed off when City struggled during March and early April but he came to the fore again in time to be a central figure when Roberto Mancini's men claimed the title on the final day of the season. A true joy to watch and unfortunate to miss out on the PFA Player of the Year award.
Labelled the 'Spanish Messi' by some, Manchester City's playmaker-winger extraordinaire may not get as many goals as Barcelona's Argentine but he has the same rare finesse only seen in the world's most technically gifted players. The stand-out player in City's infamous 6-1 victory at Old Trafford, the Canary-Islander displayed the kind of genius not seen in the Premier League since the days of Gianfranco Zola and Dennis Bergkamp. Silva's form tailed off when City struggled during March and early April but he came to the fore again in time to be a central figure when Roberto Mancini's men claimed the title on the final day of the season. A true joy to watch and unfortunate to miss out on the PFA Player of the Year award.
Centre forward: Sergio Aguero
A rare big money signing who has lived up to his transfer fee without any questions asked. The son-in-law of Diego Maradona has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, netting 30 goals in all competitions in his debut season in England. Crucially Aguero stood up when his manager and team-mates most needed him and scored what is sure to become a legendary goal deep into injury time against QPR on the final day. Aguero's form throughout the whole season meant the self-inflicted absence of Carlos Tevez hardly affected Roberto Mancini's men and the calibre, as well as quantity, of the former Atletico Madrid man's strikes has made him feared across the country. Still only 23, the scary thing is that he can surely only get better.
A rare big money signing who has lived up to his transfer fee without any questions asked. The son-in-law of Diego Maradona has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, netting 30 goals in all competitions in his debut season in England. Crucially Aguero stood up when his manager and team-mates most needed him and scored what is sure to become a legendary goal deep into injury time against QPR on the final day. Aguero's form throughout the whole season meant the self-inflicted absence of Carlos Tevez hardly affected Roberto Mancini's men and the calibre, as well as quantity, of the former Atletico Madrid man's strikes has made him feared across the country. Still only 23, the scary thing is that he can surely only get better.
Centre forward: Robin Van Persie
The deserved victor of the PFA Player's Player of the Year, it would have been unthinkable to omit the fiery Dutchman after his greatest season to date. 37 goals in all competitions for the Arsenal captain only begins to tell of the ability that the former Feyenoord striker possesses. Incisive passing, accurate crosses, fantastic close control and a thunderous shot are just some of the weapon's at Van Persie's disposal. For Arsenal fans, it doesn't bear thinking about where the club would have finished without their talisman this season and Arsene Wenger will be doing everything within his power to keep the Dutchman at the Emirates Stadium next season. But as we saw with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last summer, the veteran manager can't always have it his own way.
The deserved victor of the PFA Player's Player of the Year, it would have been unthinkable to omit the fiery Dutchman after his greatest season to date. 37 goals in all competitions for the Arsenal captain only begins to tell of the ability that the former Feyenoord striker possesses. Incisive passing, accurate crosses, fantastic close control and a thunderous shot are just some of the weapon's at Van Persie's disposal. For Arsenal fans, it doesn't bear thinking about where the club would have finished without their talisman this season and Arsene Wenger will be doing everything within his power to keep the Dutchman at the Emirates Stadium next season. But as we saw with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last summer, the veteran manager can't always have it his own way.
Substitutes
Tim Krul: The Dutch goalkeeper has been ever present for Newcastle United this season and has been a major factor behind their outstanding 5th place finish.
Rio Ferdinand: The veteran defender put his injury woes behind him, not missing a game since January, and will count himself extremely unfortunate not to be in the England squad for Euro 2012 as he is still the country's most talented defender.
Fabricio Coloccini: Another huge player for the Toon Army this season, the Argentine centre-back has been rock solid all season, a true leader on the pitch who's technical ability shouldn't be underestimated.
Gareth Bale: Tottenham's form may have tailed off during the latter part of the season but the Welsh winger played a huge part in his club's top-four finish. Amazingly still only 22 years old.
Yaya Toure: The Ivorian powerhouse may have missed part of the season due to the African Nations Cup but he really came to the fore as City became Premier League Champions for the first time. The complete midfield player.
Juan Mata: An impressive debut season in England for the former Valencia man, who has scored plenty of goals, set up many more and quickly won over the fans at Stamford Bridge.
Juan Mata: An impressive debut season in England for the former Valencia man, who has scored plenty of goals, set up many more and quickly won over the fans at Stamford Bridge.
Papiss Cisse: For a player only signed during the January transfer window, 13 goals is an incredibly impressive tally yet it is the quality of the Senegalese frontman's finishes which has really caught the eye. Especially THAT goal at Stamford Bridge.
Rest of Squad
Michel Vorm, Joleon Lescott, Grant Holt, Paul Scholes, Mikel Arteta, Leon Britton, Wayne Rooney.
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