Given the rollercoaster nature of the English top flight’s 2011/12 season, it was only fitting that Manchester City snatched the title in such dramatic fashion, bringing down the curtain on the most thrilling run-in of the Premier League era. No one could have scripted it better. Even the relegation battle brought some last day nerves.
Of course, Sergio Aguero’s strike will likely be the most memorable highlight of the campaign, but there were plenty of other heroes across the league who played key roles in their teams’ success. Inside Futbol weighs up the top contributors and selects a Premier League Team of the Season:
Goalkeeper – Michel Vorm (Swansea City)
At just £1.5M, the Dutch shot-stopper was one of the bargains of the season. His impact was huge as Swansea put a testing start behind them and emerged as one of the better defensive teams in the Premier League, before a dip late in the campaign. The fact that Brendan Rodgers’ men never faced major relegation concerns – and scored huge wins over Arsenal and Manchester City – was in part due to Vorm’s excellence and the confidence he gave to his back four. Expect plenty of suitors to be knocking on Swansea’s door between now and August.
Right-back – Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
The PFA Young Player of the Year made great strides this season, making an impact at both ends of the pitch. He had some forgettable afternoons, such as the second half meltdown against Arsenal, but gained valuable experience under the glaring pressure of the race for the top four. His work rate, pace and willingness to bomb forward have made him a firm fan favourite. Only a cruel injury blow kept him from capping a great year with a place in the England squad for Euro 2012.
Centre-back – Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
Inspirational is the best word to describe Kompany and the influence he has in the Manchester City dressing room. Just as Nemanja Vidic did for Manchester United in previous years, Kompany has blossomed as the rock at the heart of the Citizens back four. Great in the air, accomplished on the deck and the scorer of that crucial goal in the Manchester derby, the Belgian did more than anyone to bring the title to the Etihad Stadium. His performances this season put him among the top defenders in the world.
Centre-back – Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)
Newcastle began the season in the ‘outside bet for relegation’ bracket and finished it a whisker away from a Champions League spot. Coloccini’s form in the centre of the Magpies’ defence was a key factor in their unlikeliest of runs. The club has been crying out for a quality centre-back for countless years and the Argentine appears to have answered those pleas. Composed, dominant in the air and quicker than he looks, Coloccini is fulfilling the potential he showed at AC Milan as a teenager.
Left-back – Leighton Baines (Everton)
Everton’s quiet surge to a seventh place finish might not have earned major headlines, but it was yet another feather in the cap of David Moyes – and Baines, Everton’s Mr. Consistent. Baines put together yet another steady campaign, keeping some of the Premier League’s best wide players in check and, with freedom to push forward, cementing his place as one of the country’s best crossers. For much of the season, he outplayed Ashley Cole, who he will join in the England squad for Euro 2012.
Midfield – Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
Back in August, it was Nani and Ashley Young earning the plaudits as Manchester United flew out of the traps. But as that duo faded, Valencia emerged as Sir Alex Ferguson’s most creative force on the flanks. The Ecuadorian scored crucial goals and his link-up play with Wayne Rooney was particularly impressive, making his omission from the starting line-up against Manchester City in the title six-pointer all the more head-scratching. He rarely put a foot wrong and could have done no more to keep the Red Devils in the hunt.
Midfield – Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
For all the talent of David Silva, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Aguero, it was Toure who routinely bailed Manchester City out in the final third when the Premier League title hung in the balance. Roberto Mancini’s expert use of Toure in a more advanced role in second halves bore fruit time and again as the Ivorian netted a string of key goals. A classy, gutsy performer, he fully earned his enormous pay cheque.
Midfield – Leon Britton (Swansea)
Bizarre as it sounds, Britton emerged as the closest Premier League equivalent to Xavi this season, mastering the deep-lying playmaker role and guiding the newly-promoted Swans to a highly respectable 11th place finish. His ball retention and composure put more celebrated midfielders to shame – and he dominated games despite his slight 5"5 frame. Swansea played some of the Premier League’s best football – and Britton, along with the equally impressive Joe Allen, was at the centre of everything.
Midfield – Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
Goalscoring midfielders are a priceless commodity and Dempsey is one of the Premier League’s best, finding the net with both feet and his head. With 17 goals this season, the American kept Fulham’s points tally ticking over. The Cottagers may struggle to hang onto Dempsey this summer as bigger clubs are bound to have taken notice.
Striker – Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
When Arsenal were being humbled by Manchester United back in September, it was hard to envision a third place finish and a string of end of season rewards for Van Persie. But the Dutchman was simply unstoppable, almost single-handedly bringing the Gunners back from the brink at times. His staggering 30-goal Premier League haul tells part of the story, however the striker also developed as a leader over the course of the campaign. It would be a huge blow for Arsenal – and the Premier League as a whole – if Van Persie succumbs to the lure of La Liga this summer.
Striker – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Ending the season empty-handed was hardly in the script, but Rooney can look back proudly on a fine campaign, despite underperforming in both league Manchester derbies. The England man notched 27 Premier League goals and crafted countless chances for others. Without a creative midfielder to feed off, Rooney was often forced to drop deep to influence the play, but his partnership with Danny Welbeck developed nicely. Though he did not have a highlight to rival last season’s bicycle kick, Rooney showed once again why he is the main man for club and country.
