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The Premier League is regarded by many as the best and the most competitive football league in the world. The whole reputation it has gained is down to some of the best players that have graced the league.
There have been many times when a single player has dragged his team to glory. But, when it comes to two players, their combination and understanding on the pitch make it worth watching.
The Premier League has its own set of lore when it comes to deadly attacking duos. In this slideshow, we take a look at the most fierce attacking partnerships in the Premier League, based on longevity, goals scored and amount of trophies.
#6 Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are cited as the crucial reason why Liverpool stayed in contention for the Premier League until the final day. While Suarez scored a league-best 31 goals, Sturridge chipped in 20, making a tally of total 51 goals between the pair.
Luis Suarez is known for tormenting defenders with mazy runs and close-controlled dribbles. His quadruple at Anfield versus Norwich City was probably his best night in a Liverpool shirt.
Daniel Sturridge also showcased his share of brilliance, scoring some of his career best goals that season. His sublime effort versus Sunderland from the edge of the penalty box was one of his standout goals of the season.
Although 2013/14 was regarded as the best season in Liverpool's Premier League history, they failed to win silverware, finishing runners-up behind league leaders Chelsea. The fierce strike-partnership between the Englishman and the Uruguayan lasted only one season, as Suarez departed for Barcelona in the following summer.
#5 Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton
It was the 1994/95 season when a certain Chris Sutton joined Blackburn Rovers as the most expensive English player back then. The youngster formed a deadly partnership with the Premier League's all time leading goalscorer, Alan Shearer. Together, Shearer and Sutton netted an impressive 46 goals between them (Shearer 31 and Sutton 15).
Shearer was known as a ferocious finisher of the ball, and Sutton was possibly the best second striker he had ever paired with, in his career. Kenny Dalglish was absolutely delighted in having them as the spearhead of his attack. Together, they won the Premier League that season, the only Premier League title in the history of the club.
Although the partnership lasted only one season, it definitely is one of the most unforgettable partnerships in the English top tier.
#4 Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo and Rooney helped United win their third Champions League title.
One of the most celebrated partnerships in the modern era of the Premier League, Cristiano Ronaldo & Wayne Rooney clicked with each other from the very start. While Sir Alex was building a team to rival Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, these two were starting to emerge as world-class players who would further achieve great heights, both at the club and personal level.
With Rooney taking the backseat to let Ronaldo prosper, they scored 38 and 42 goals respectively, in the 2007-08 season. Ronaldo ended up winning the golden boot that year, along with the FIFA World Player of The Year award. With Ronaldo's flair and Rooney's top-class finishing, Manchester United won the Champions League in 2008 and ended as runners-up in 2009. Whether it was Chelsea or Arsenal, both Rooney and Ronaldo ended up shackling every single defense they faced together.
Even though they had a fall-out at the 2006 World Cup, that didn't stop CR7 and Wayne Rooney from winning the league title for United. It was their first league title together, which was followed by back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008. The partnership came to an end after Ronaldo swapped United for Real Madrid. Apart from football, both players have a great friendship off the pitch.
#3 Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
‘Fire and Ice’ was a nickname given to these incredible players during their time at Stamford Bridge, whilst playing for Chelsea. This was in reference to Hasselbaink’s fiery attitude on the field, in comparison to Gudjohnsen’s cool, calm and collected personality.
They couldn’t have been more different, both on and off the pitch, but maybe this is what led to them having such a successful rapport with one another.
Their best season was 2001/02, when they scored a combined total of 50 goals in all the competitions for Chelsea, firing the Blues into the Champions League. Their deadly partnership was one of the crucial factors which helped Chelsea in becoming a major force in football.
Although they were stark opposites of each other, they blended perfectly. Hasselbaink was a defender's nightmare with a strong built, while Gudjohnsen was a nimble and clinical goalscorer. The partnership ended after Hasselbaink retired and Gudjohnsen joined Barcelona.
#2 Thierry Henry And Dennis Bergkamp
Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp were an integral part of the Invincibles.
Arguably the best years of Arsenal were when Arsene Wenger had the Invincibles at his disposal, winning innumerable accolades at the club. Thierry 'King' Henry and Dennis Bergkamp formed the spearhead of Arsenal's attack, terrorising every defense they faced.
Arsene Wenger had equally distributed duties amongst both the strikers. While Henry was charged with the duty of scoring as well as assisting, Dennis Bergkamp was more involved in building up Arsenal's game, also providing assists in the process.
Henry’s pace, skill, and finishing ability provided the cutting edge and he knew that if he made a run into space, Bergkamp had the vision and the technique to pick him out.
In season 2001/2002, probably their best season together, Henry and Bergkamp scored combined 33 league goals, forming one of the best partnerships the premier league has ever seen.
The Invincibles remain the only team to go unbeaten in the Premier League in 2003/04 season. Henry and Bergkamp also won multiple leagues and two FA Cups in their seven years together at Arsenal.
#1 Andy Cole And Dwight Yorke
Of all the fearsome strike partnerships, none matched the aura and the menace of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole. Both Yorke and Cole were understood to have a kind of telepathy between them on the pitch.
It is said that Cole and Yorke could find each other on the field with their eyes closed. With the footballing brain of the former, and the pace and crisp finishing of the latter, mixed with a unique personal friendship, the pair set The Premier League alight.
Their finest combination play was perhaps the winning goal against Juventus in 1999, which led them to the final, ultimately winning the league. The 1998/99 was their best season, in which they amassed a total of 55 goals for the club.
They were an important part of the treble-winning United squad.Of all the partnerships, theirs is regarded as perhaps the most exciting and enthralling in the history of the Premier League.
Honorable Mentions:
David Silva - Sergio Aguero
Wayne Rooney - Robin Van Persie
Steven Gerrard - Fernando Torres
Stan Collymore - Robbie Flower
