The season of Premier League 2007/08was one of those years that we will never forget. This campaign was full of moments of brilliance, stunning upsets and a title race that went down to the wire as football lovers across the world were treated with great drama. The season had everything: iconic players, notorious feuds and crucial tactical battles that decided the title.
A Tight Race for the Title
A Premier League 2007/08 season where one of the closest title races for years was decided Ultimately it was Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal who emerged as the main protagonists pushing each other to their limits. Until quite some way through this season, it did look as though any one of these clubs could come out on top to lift the prize Premier League trophy.
Sir Alex Ferguson won his 10th Premier League title, in charge of Manchester United. The team ended the season with 87 points just over Chelsea who came in second place. The attacking troika of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez drove United’s season. Ronaldo, such as, concluded the season to summarize from being victorious Premier League Golden Boot with 31 goals of their periphery. For the same reason, he won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in that season too.
However, Chelsea fought United tooth-and-nail in an Avram Grant-led challenge following José Mourinho’s mid-season exit, only to wind up as runners-up. Resilience, steadfastness and an unbroken spirit characterised their season on whole but the sharpest of cutting edges were missing in crucial moments.
While Arsenal, managed by Arsène Wenger, was playing some of the most attractive football that a team to host against them could see… their attacking style and conceding way too many in return on opponents counter-attacks reduced thier chances as injuries took its toll and lack of depth saw their league challenges wane. Although occupying top spot for much of the season, they ultimately finished third — four points behind Chelsea. The season was notable for the emergence of Cesc Fàbregas as a midfield playmaker, and Emmanuel Adebayor’s breakthrough as one of the league’s most consistent goal-scorers.
Crucial fixtures of the Season
Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
This match was the most decisive one for how The Title would play out. Going into the game Arsenal knew defeat would kill off their hopes of retaining their title, while United could all but wrap up another crown with victory as they held a four-point lead over Chelsea at kick-off. Emmanuel Adebayor fired Arsenal into the lead only for a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and an Owen Hargreaves free-kick ensuring coming back to land a 2-1 victory. The result all but extinguished Arsenal’s title challenge and ensured United stayed on course for the championship.
Chelsea vs Manchester United
One game left this season and Chelsea night became a curtain-raiser for Manchester United. Chelsea had to win this one and they sure did in their fortress at Stamford Bridge. Michael Ballack’s brace, the second coming from a last-minute penalty, secured victory for Chelsea and ensured that Premier League glory will go down to the wire.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea
One of the games is a London derby and it was easily one off he best matches this season, full stop. Chelsea, also in search of points to keep them chasing United at the top, were met by a Tottenham team who looked up for it. The game was wide open with the goals coming thick and fast from either side. Tottenham’s Robbie Keane scored an injury-time equaliser against Chelsea to dent the Blues Premier League title hopes.
Outstanding Performer Of The Season
Cristiano Ronaldo Without a doubt, Ronaldo was the brightest light of 2007/08. However, having scored 31 league goals and created countless others his contribution was always of the highest order. He was quite unplayable in some moments with his pace, skill and goal scoring prowess. He contributed a lot to United’s title effort.
The engine of Arsenal’s fluid style, this midfield maestro was magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. His vision, passing and creativity turned him into one of the best playmakers in Europe during his prime [4]. Whilst Arsenal faltered in their challenge for the Premier League title, Fàbregas excelled individually throughout the season.
Fernando Torres: When Fernando Torres joined Liverpool, he was sensational. That Spanish striker put away 24 league goals and was a nightmare to deal with at Anfield. Liverpool fans knew that his partnership with Steven Gerrard was one of the most frightening attacking partnerships in the Premier League.
Wayne Rooney: He was always overshadowed by Ronaldo during his time at Old Trafford, but he would have been an integral part of a team that went on claim title after title with United. His performances in big games, especially towards the end of season were crucial.
Relegation Battle
The battle to stay up was just as hot at the top of the table. Derby County (2007-08) — 38 games, 11 points | Finishing rock-bottom with the lowest total in Premier League history. They recorded just one win throughout that season (v Newcastle Utd, 0-1 in Septembre ’07)
The other two relegation places were decided on the final day. Birmingham City, Reading & Fulham were all ‘competing’ for him. Birmingham and Reading went down on the final day of last season despite strong late runs, but Fulham avoided relegation only with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth.
The End of an Era
The Premier League 2007/08 season also saw the conclusion of an era for several players and coach. Arguably the most shocking episode of that season was José Mourinho’s sudden and acrimonious exit from Chelsea in September 2007. He was replaced by Avram Grant and he led Chelsea to a second-placed finish, but his failure to win any silverware resulted in him being sacked and succeeded with Luiz Felipe Scolari ahead of the 2008–09 season.
Conclusion
The Premier League 2007/08 campaign was one of the most memorable seasons ever with every drama it brought to us, and the high-quality football we witnessed including that exceptional title race till the end. Manchester United winning, Chelsea and Arsenal so strong, the beauty of some of the football played in that time and then individual seasons for players like [Cristiano] Ronaldo as well – it will be up there with anything I’ve watched. The supporters of JustSports24 and Premier League enthusiasts will never forget the joy and fervor that this extravagant project brought back to the beautiful game.
