Ten Moments That Defined a Premier League Decade

So, we’re at the end of the year, and, the end of the decade. So just like everyone else, I’d like to look back at the ten years that have passed. There have been many, many magical moments in the decade gone, and we have witnessed so many great players, the list, is almost endless.

But what moments will I take from this decade as I move into the next? Well here are the Ten that I think gave definition to the decade, and the ones which I shall remember the best.

Untill you all point out one I’ve fogotten in the comments.

10 “Remember The Name, Wayne Rooney”

There had been alot of hype about a young Scouse striker, Wayne Rooney who was apparently to be The Next Big Thing. He was only 16 years old when he started to break into the Everton team, and David Moyes tended to use him sparingly. What no-one expected, perhaps, was Rooney’s Sense of Occasion.

Arsenal had got unbeaten for 30 games, in a run that looked like it might actually go on forever. Of course you know these things never will, but they looked unplayable. Not only was Rooney’s goal absolutely stunning, it broke Arsenal’s run and to some degree began the end of that Arsenal teams era. Rooney of course, in breaking Micheal Owen’s record of Youngest Premier League Goalscorer (broken a few months later by James Milner and has since been broken again) he put him name in lights, but we weren’t to know just how big a figure he was to become.

9 “Please don’t call me arrogant, but I am European Champion, And I think I am a Special One” – Jose Mourinho arrived in London

Claudio Raineri was quite liked in England, and there was a minor uproar when he was sacked one season into the Abromovich era. He had spent alot of money, but he hadn’t delivered the title in one season, and Red Roman had cooly sacked him. Most thought this was unfair, and whoever came in would have one hell of a charm job to do.

The only man that could pull it off, perhaps was Mourinho. Within minutes of his first press conference in London, most had forgotten about the Tinkerman already. We already had met him after his spectacular sprint down the touchline to after his side knocked Man United out of the Champions League. But in no way was the press ready for Jose.

He was of course, a success, winning the title in his first season. Unlike Raineri, he knew exactly what he wanted from his side, and Chelsea have been a bit in his shadow ever since he parted ways with the club in (inebitably) semi-acrimonious fashion. He never did things easy, but he did them well, and he was always entertaining. Needless to say, the English Press is still in mourning that he’s in Italy – telling them he’s not a Special One afterall.

8. Andrei Arshavin hits four at Anfield.

Arsenal didn’t win the game (it finished a suitably epic 4-4) but the title race was basically over for Liverpool. And it was all because of a genius outspoken Russian, who had only arrived in London a few months before.

We knew Arshavin was the Real Deal from the European Championships, but there had been a suggestion he was too “lightweight” to make it in the Premier League. Only Arsene Wenger could see differently.

Liverpool hadn’t conceeded a goal in three months. The defence looked lean and mean. But they just couldn’t deal with Arshavin, and he scored all four of Arsenal’s goals brilliantly.

Liverpool have since gone into spectacular freefall, while Arsenal might finally be making the step up to challenge for the title again. Its too soon to see the long term affects more than that, but it was a deliriously good moment.

7 Ronaldo’s Number 42

Its an incredible achievemnt whatever way you look at it. But first, context. Man United had not long sold Ruud Van Nistolrooy, supposedly due to a falling out with Ronaldo (both have denied it since, but theres no doubt that there was tension between the two). Ronaldo had been public enemy number one after supposedly getting team mate Wayne Rooney at the 2006 World Cup.

So Ronaldo really needed to step up in 2007. And he more than did. He went from skillful cocky kid who would do 27 stepovers before not passing to Van Nisto, to cocky, skillfull kid who score 42 goals in one season.

That goal tally saw the first of his now trademark free kicks, headers, running at defenders, long rangers, vollys, the lot. Man United waltzed to the title (and the Champions League, where he scored in the final before missing a pen) and thanks to Ronaldo looked unbeatable.

Of course stirrings came that Ronaldo would go an play for his boyhood heroes in Madrid, and eventually it has come to pass. And Man United have looked more fallable without him (or a real replacement). He’s been World Footballer of the Year since, and its entirely up to him where he goes next. The fact that he’s a standout in the current Real Madrid team, really says it all.

6. Abramovich buys Chelsea

It seems almost natural now, but when Chelsea were bought out by Roman Abramovich it was a briefly thrilling prospect. Chelsea could build team out of any of the best players in the world, and create something special. And briefly, with Raineri at the helm, there was genuine support from them – the nation had watched Man United dominate, and then Arsenal come to the fore, and it was interesting to see it change.

Of course the nation’s attitude to Chelsea soured (mainly due to the divisive Jose Mourinho) but there is no doubt of the affect that Roman had on English football. He turned Chelsea from decent top 6 side, to establishers of the Big Four, various titles and cups, and a post away from the Champions League.

5 Keane and Viera in the tunnel

For the first half of the decade the big rivalry in the Premier League was between Arsenal and Manchester United, and unsurprisingly it came to be defined by each sides engine room hard man, Roy Keane for United and Patrick Viera for Arsenal. They reportedly had mutual respect, but there was a genuine sense that both sides loathed each other at that point (see also, Martin Keown vs RvN, Pizzagate).

Viera tried to intimidate Gary Neville in the tunnel, at least untill Roy Keane got wind of it and went absolutely nuts at the Frenchmen, who suddenly resembed a pussycat. Famously in the handshake before the match, Gary Neville looked invincible. The tide had turned.

4 Leeds Fall From Grace

Hard to recall, but ten years ago, Leeds United were challenging for the Premier League title and on the way to a Champions League semi final. Now look at them. Their fall has truely been one of the stories of the decade.

Overspending, greed, and short term failure all led to a spectacular fall from grace that culminated in a relegation or two, point deductions, administration, in fighting, and an exodus of top class players. They make Newcastle’s soap opera look like small fry.

They are on the way back though, it seems, finally getting it together. And they have a game against Man United in the FA Cup to look forward to. Amazing to think where both sides were ten years ago compared with now.

3 Manchester City bought on Deadline Day

One of the most boring transfer windows in the history of the entire world was made worthwhile on the very last day. It was the summer of Will Ronaldo go to Madrid? Will Lampard go to Inter? Will Robinho go to Chelsea? Will Gareth Barry go to Liverpool? My God, it was tedious. We were hearing on a daily basis why Ronaldo’s taxi-driver’s brothers sons dog walkers baby sitters uncle thought he should stay at United.

But on the very last day, it was announced that Manchester City had been bought out (after some uncertainty regarding the Human Rights record of the previous regime) and suddenly made Chelsea look like Paupers.

Robinho, who has burned his bridges at Madrid, before being told that actually Chelsea weren’t all that interested, was left with no choice but to become City’s first Marquee signing. There was also an ongoing soap opera throughout the day regarding Berbatov (then at Spurs and a target for Man United), who was either at Eastlands having a medical, or was meeting City at the airport to have one. Except according to one story from the day, Alex Ferguson himself picked up Berba and got him to sign for United instead. Amazing.

2 Liverpool and the Miracle of Istanbul

Technically not a Prem moment, but whatever. It was incredible. Liverpool take on the giants of Milan in the Champions League final, only to find themselves three nil down at half time. An entire nation turned over to watch something else.

What they missed was one of the craziest comebacks of all time, and Liverpool pulling it back to 3-3, before winning on Penalty Kicks (after a tribute to another Liverpool keeper from Dudek).

It is the main reason that Rafa Benitez hasn’t been sacked by Liverpool of course, but it was an amazing achievement. Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League that season (and so shouldn’t even have qualified for the following Champions League) and looked lacklustre at home all season. But for 45 minutes, they showed that they had something very special in them.

1. The Invincibles.

Its impossible to underestimate just how amazing the Inivicibles season was. Arsenal went an entire Premier League campaign unbeaten for the first time since Preston North End did it way back when.

And they were an amazing team from front to back. Henry and Bergkamp up front is one of teh most impressive partnerships ever, and teh midfield of Ljungburg, Parlour, Pires and Viera backed up a great defence, and a Jens Lehmann who wasn’t as mad as he seems now. No contest as to the finest XI of the decade.

Some Related Premier League Posts:

Category: Uncategorized