Kumar's EPL Awards 2005

My Team of the Year:
Formation - 4-3-2-1
Petr Cech, Jamie Carragher, John Terry, Ryan Nelson, Gabriel Hienze, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Tim Cahill, Shaun Wright Phillips, Arjen Robben and Thierry Henry.

This team would have Carragher as rightback because he has been so excellent throughout the year, he should be in the team and I can’t find a rightback who has been that good to make any team of the year. I would go with Nelson at Centre Back because for a NewZealander to make the move to England and impress so much bodes well for Asia-Pacific. Hienze, my find of the year, without him we definitely would not have even finished 3rd. Three in the midfield for me, Cahill and Lampard as the attacking force with Makelele as the holding player. Personally I would like to have Ruud supported by Henry and Robben as the attacking trio but unfortunately Ruud has been missing all season so it’s SWP with Henry leading the line.

My Young Team of the Year
Formation 4-4-2
Tomasz Kuszczak, Nedum Onuaha, Robert Huth, Phillip Senderos, Gael Clichy, Darren Fletcher, Cesc Fabregas, Kieran Richardson, Christiano Ronaldo, Jose Antonio Reyes, Wayne Rooney

Goal of the Season
Wayne Rooney - Manchester United vs Newcastle United, Old Trafford

Moment of the Season
Steven Gerrard's last minute goal against Olympiakos which enabled the team to qualify for the Knockout stages - few would have imagined the Reds to reach the finals at that stage of the season, even their own fans would not have imagined what has happened so far

Forgettable Moment of the Season
Dyer and Bowyer of Newcastle fighting on the pitch in front of thier own fans

Manager of the Season
David Moyes and Jose Mourinho. David Moyes should have taken it but I think Everton will be playing Champions League football only because Liverpool and Bolton did not want it and did not push Everton to the wire, Everton made enough mistakes all season but fortunately for them Liverpool and Bolton committed even more

Best English Player
Frank Lampard - Magnificent

Best Foreign Player
Thierry Henry - We are so fortunate to see someone as gifted as this guy play week in week out.

Most Improved Player
Gareth Barry

Did not meet Expectations
Paul Scholes, United have failed to make it because of this man. Its not only because of him but mostly because he has been a shadow of himself and there is no true heir to his throne at United. Keane and Scholes needs able deputies and SAF need to find them as soon as possible for us to return to the limelight