Has this been the best Premier League season ever?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Sergio Aguero’s 95th-minute strike secured the most thrilling of Premier League titles for Manchester City as Roberto Mancini’s side earned the club’s first title in 44 years in truly dramatic fashion.

That 3-2 win over Queen’s Park Rangers served as heartbreak for their Manchester rivals United, as Sir Alex Ferguson‘s men had the title given to them and dashed from them all within a matter of minutes.

It was also a fitting end to a Premier League campaign that has thrown up endless twists and turns, and this in a week when the 2011/12 season was voted the greatest in the league’s history, with each club having their own intriguing story.

City will look upon their triumph as potentially the beginning of a new and successful era, with the incredible financial backing of Sheikh Mansour now reaping the rewards.

United will try and use this moment to inspire their younger players such as Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck to drive them on and continuing the consistent success that’s been in place over the past 20 years.    

Where does Wigan’s survival rank in recent times?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Wigan Athletic sealed their Premier League survival on Monday night when they defeated Blackburn Rovers 1-0 at Ewood Park, condemning their Lancashire rivals to the Championship in the process.

Antolin Alcaraz‘s header three minutes from time means that the Latics are now five points clear of third-from-bottom Bolton Wanderers going into their final clash of the season at home to already-relegated Wolves.

The win also ensured that the club sensibly run by long-standing owner Dave Whelan can now look forward to their eighth successive campaign in the biggest league in the world.

But while there have been many wonderful moments along the way, it’s difficult to think of a season where Wigan have had to defy the odds in the run-in more than this one.

In 2007, they famously went to Sheffield United in a do-or-die clash at Bramall Lane, where David Unsworth‘s penalty was enough to seal a 2-1 win and condemn the Blades to the drop.

2010 saw Wigan seal survival in their penultimate match when they came from 2-0 down with 10 minutes to go to stun Arsenal and secure a dramatic 3-2 victory.

While last year, they travelled to Stoke knowing that only a win would guarantee remaining in the top-flight, and Hugo Rodallega‘s header gave Wigan the three points at the Britannia that sparked scenes of wild celebrations with management, players and the travelling supporters.    

Who will conquer in tonight’s title battle?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Tonight, the biggest game of the Premier League season – and one of the biggest Manchester derbies of all time – takes place at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City take on Manchester United knowing that victory will put them above their fierce rivals with just two games remaining.

For United, a win will all but secure their 20th league title and end the hopes of Roberto Mancini‘s side in a title race that has had plenty of twists and turns.

It looked well and truly over a few weeks ago when City’s defeat at Arsenal left them eight points adrift of Sir Alex Ferguson‘s men with just six games remaining.

But a shock defeat for United a few days later at Wigan left the door ajar, and City haven’t looked back since.    

Do you agree with the PFA Team of the Year?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

On Sunday night, the Professional Football Association revealed the recipients of their numerous annual awards as the Premier League season draws ever nearer to its conclusion.

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie received the PFA Player of the Year after his 27 league goals have helped keep the Gunners on course for a Champions League spot.

Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker was awarded the PFY Young Player of the Year following his impressive displays at for Harry Redknapp’s side.

Also announced was the PFA team of the year, where the best players in their respective positions are recognised for their efforts throughout the campaign.

As always, this has drawn plenty of debate from football lovers as to those that deserve to be in the XI, and those that have been unfairly ignored for their performances over the past nine months.    

Will Spurs claim a top-four finish?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Tottenham Hotspur’s season took another blow last weekend, when their FA Cup dreams were crushed at the hands of a rampant Chelsea at Wembley stadium last Sunday evening.

While Chelsea’s second goal was wrongly adjudged to be over the line and has rightly brought up the never-ending issue of goal-line technology, it doesn’t excuse a Spurs performance that simply didn’t live up to the occassion.

For Tottenham fans it compounded a worrying run of form that has seen the North Londoners go from potential title challengers at the turn of the year to facing a real struggle to achieve a top-four finish come the end of the season.

The first half of the season drew deserved acclaim for Harry Redknapp’s side, as the Lilywhites lit up the Premier League with some dazzling attacking football, as well as developing a consistency that had them breathing down the necks of Manchester giants United and City.    

Are the PFA Player of the Year nominations correct?

By Tony Alvarez

Yesterday the shortlist of players who are in with a chance of winning the PFA Player of the year were revealed, the lucky six include three Manchester City players in Sergio Aguero, David Silva and goalkeeper Joe Hart, the other nominees are the Premier League’s top two scorers Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie who has scored against every club besides Man City and Fulham. Manchester United Wayne Rooney and finally Tottenham’s midfield destroyer Scott Parker.

Shortly after the nominations many were questioning the shortlist especially the inclusion of Tottenham man Scott Parker. Unfortunately for Parker he plays a role which is not often appreciated by fans but even aside from that I don’t think his nomination is justified.

Parker to his credit played very well for the first half of the season when Tottenham were a breath of fresh air in the Premier League with their style, however it wasn’t only Parker who was good in that spell Gareth Bale at spells was unplayable, Adebayor was a constant menace either through his goal scoring ability or as a provider of goals.     

Can QPR repeat Saturday’s heroics and stay up?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Queen’s Park Rangers reignited their quest for Premier League survival when they beat in-form Arsenal 2-1 at Loftus Road on Saturday.

The win means that while Rangers are still in the bottom three with seven games still remaining, defeat for Blackburn tonight at home to title-chasing Manchester United will lift the R’s out of the relegation zone.

While there are plenty of positives to take from the weekend, the main issue for Mark Hughes‘ side is their run-in will hardly be the envy of those around them.

Having overcome the Gunners, their next game is a trip to Old Trafford, while they still have to go to Manchester City and Chelsea as well as face Tottenham in their penultimate home game.

Facing the top five in their final eight matches is a horrendous run-in and would give most teams little hope of avoiding the drop; but playing the top sides seems to bring out the best in the Hoops in recent weeks.    

Does Morgan need to act again to save Wolves’ Premier League status?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Wolves’ miserable season continued when they suffered a comprehensive 5-0 defeat at home to Manchester United last weekend.

The hammering means it’s now just one win in their last 15 matches in the league, and their inferior goal difference has sent them to the bottom of the Premier League.

For the club’s owner Steve Morgan it leaves him with a headache that becomes more thumping by the week, despite a change of management designed to allay such an issue.

When Mick McCarthy was sacked following the side’s 5-1 humbling at home to fierce rivals West Brom, many felt the need to bring in an experienced figure to galvanise the side in time for the crucial run-in.    

Who will be the No.1 team on Merseyside this season?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Liverpool face Everton in the 217th Merseyside Derby this evening with more pride at stake than what would’ve been imaginable a couple of months ago.

At the turn of the year Everton were in danger of being stuck at the wrong end of the table with a severe lack of goals in the side and no immediate solution to the problem.

Meanwhile, Liverpool were well in the hunt for a top-four finish and looked set for at least a top-six position come the end of Kenny Dalglish’s first full season back in charge at Anfield.

However, manager David Moyes was able to strengthen his attacking options in January with the likes of Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic brought in to the squad.

They have since gone on a run of seven league games unbeaten, a string of results that have also included consecutive home victories over Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City.

As for the Reds, their recent form has been one of struggle as just two wins from their last 11 league outings has left them well out of contention for a Champions League place and sitting in seventh.    

Hodgson’s buoyant Baggies justify Peace’s big decision

By Laurie Fitzgerald

West Brom travel to Old Trafford this afternoon in search of a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League victory as they aim for their first ever top-half finish in the league’s existence.

Wins over Wolves, Sunderland and Chelsea have propelled the Baggies from potentially being dragged into a relegation battle to firmly securing their top-flight status and look forward to a third consecutive season amongst England’s elite - another first in their Premier League history.

Ironically, Chelsea’s decision to sack manager Andre Villas-Boas saw them replace their Portuguese boss with a man that was at the centre of a major turning point in West Brom’s Premier League future.

Last year, Roberto Di Matteo was at the helm and winning many plaudits after guiding the Midlands club to the Premier League in his first season in charge with a positive attacking style earning them famous wins away at the likes of Arsenal and Everton.

But when the side went on a run of four points from a possible 27, Chairman Jeremy Peace had a big decision to make; stick with the man that had guided the club back to the top-flight, or find someone with greater experience in the hope of coming in and securing long-awaited stability in the biggest league in the world.