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The Premier League is without a doubt the most exciting league in the world. Since its inception in the year 1992, there have been some sensational seasons that are etched in the memory of football fans around the world.
In this article, I will delve further into this and discuss the top 5 seasons of the first decade of the century.
#5 2008/09
Despite the lack of drama during the final weeks, this season certainly had all the components of a memorable Premier League season.
In what would be the final season for Christiano Ronaldo as a red devil, Manchester United secured their 18th title. The season also saw Federico Macheda score one of the classic winners in the dying minutes against Aston Villa and become an instant hero around the world.
Tottenham Hotspur were the other talking point of the season as they turned around their fortunes after the appointment of Harry Redknapp as manager. They were at rock bottom in the initial months and finally finished eighth.
Ultimately, United were the best team in Christiano Ronaldo's final season. But the season wasn’t bereft of competition, with LFC humiliating them 4-1 at Old Trafford in April.
Great games of the season included Arsenal’s two 4-4’s, away at Liverpool and at home in the North London Derby. At the end of this season, West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United were relegated.
#4 2004/05
This was Chelsea's first of five Premier League titles and is still the most iconic one. This was a team that was arguably better than Arsene Wenger’s "invincibles" of the season before. In fact, if it hadn’t been for a rainy day at Villa Park they may have followed Arsenal's Invincibles.
While these two seasons didn't feature a frantic title race, they featured two of the best Premier League teams. Chelsea actually achieved more points than the Gunners did the year before.
Anyway, the “Great Escape” of West Bromwich Albion was a cause for celebration this year, as they became the first team to beat the relegation while being bottom at Christmas. Southampton, Crystal Palace and Norwich City were relegated.
#3 2003/04
Whereas there was little final day drama in this season, it makes the list purely because it was groundbreaking in many ways. Firstly, it was the season of the Invincibles, a season in which Frenchman Arsene Wenger guided his Gunners side to a majestic unbeaten season.
In addition, this season seemed to truly mark the beginning of the “modern” Premier League. Leeds United were relegated after being in the Champions League semi-final just two years prior to their downfall.
In Leeds’ wake emerged a new titan of English football, Chelsea. Backed by Abramovich’s investment, Chelsea signed players like Claude Makelele and Veron, to ally themselves with British talents such as Joe Cole and Frank Lampard. The Blues would go on to dominate the two succeeding PLs.
However, this season truly belonged to Arsenal, boasting the likes of the magical Dennis Bergkamp, and the unstoppable Thierry Henry.
It was a somewhat disappointing season for Manchester United, but then again Fergie was regenerating his team with the departure of players such as David Beckham, and introducing the new breed of talent in Ronaldo and Rooney. Charlton were the surprise package of the season, coming seventh, and having the Football Writers’ Player Of The Year Scott Parker in their ranks.
#2 2002/03
Whereas this winning side of the Red Devils may not have had as much quality as ones of the days past, there was still a certain twinkle in the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson when he collected his eighth Premier League title, even though his side hadn’t played the best football this season.
With Arsenal on top with an almost unassailable lead, they crumbled, and United found the gap. They dug deep and just about won the title. It was a thrilling title race, with this famous rivalry at its most bitter.
It still seems incredulous that the Gunners didn’t win the league, with Henry, Bergkamp, Keown, Cole, Viera, Pires, the list goes on. United were without Schmeichel, Stam, Beckham and Andy Cole. Even in their absence, Ferguson proved that he still had it.
#1 2007/08
Another whirlwind of a season, another season fiercely contended by some of the greatest teams of the time. Chelsea, containing Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Andriy Shevchenko. Manchester United, who had Christiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs and Van Der Sar.
Then there was Arsenal, who weren’t amazing, but were at the top until February, with Nasri and Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings.
It was similarly exciting down the bottom, with Fulham, Reading and Birmingham City all fighting to survive on the final day. Highlights of the season include Fulham’s late revival, Arsenal’s collapse and Mourinho’s parting of ways.
In the climax, Fulham stayed up on the final day, United won the league on the final day with a 0-2 victory over Wigan, and Arsenal cracked in March, with their young team losing their heads in a defeat at St. Andrews.
