The Premier League 2011/12 season will go down in the football annals as one of the most exciting and gripping campaigns we have ever seen. A title race that went to the last second, along with heart-stopping finishes and legendary players made it an unforgettable rollercoaster. The 2011/12 season is a reason why many sporting fans, and especially followers of English Premier League football (soccer), think it to be the greatest league in the world.
This is a rundown of the big six games, defining moments, and dramatic end to the Premier League 2011/12 campaign… Hello, Everyone I in JustSports24 Your most authentic source of top-tier sports news.
Pre-Season Expectations
Opening the 2011/12 season reigning champion and perennial favorite was Manchester United.For over ten years, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had been the dominant force in English football. Their “noisy neighbors,” Manchester City, however, had gone from strength to strength under manager Roberto Mancini. City were then taken seriously as Liverpool and Chelsea struggled, the club’s heavy investment beginning to bear fruit with new stars such as Sergio Agüero, David Silva and Yaya Touré moving to Eastlands.
Meanwhile, Chelsea under new manager André Villas-Boas and Arsenal were believed to represent potential challengers for the top-four. Liverpool remain a work in progress, as do Tottenham Hotspur and they too entered the fray.
However, once the season got underway it was apparent that this would be a two-horse race between the Manchester clubs eventually resulting in one of greatest title fights ever.
Top 5 Matches of the Premier League 2011/12
Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal
League history. Manchester United’s 8-2 demolition of Arsenal reverberated around the football world. United were merciless with goals from Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Nani helped to humiliate Wenger’s side. A game they won 3-2 with a match to spare as United showed their attacking teeth and gave notice that they intended to retain the title. On the contrary, Arsenal displayed their weaknesses in defence and caused them to panic buy on deadline day with Arsene Wenger signing two centre-backs.
Manchester City 6 Manchester United 1
While the Arsenal victory was a surprise, Manchester City’s 6-1 pounding of Manchester United at Old Trafford registered as an earthquake. Fans were left shocked, not just by the scoreline but also by how City played. This gave a City its initial push as a title challenger. Mario Balotelli and Edin Džeko also got on the scoresheet as City showed they were not just noisy neighbors but meant business. The Milan forward is well-known for his infamous “Why Always Me?” and the celebration after scored increased dramatic moments. The match where City turned the season on its head.
Man Utd 4-40 Everton
Towards the end of the season, Manchester United looked very much in business for another title. Newcastle were winning 4-2 and in line for three vital points at Old Trafford against Everton. But an incredible late rally produced two Everton goals from the last seven minutes to earn a 4-4 draw. It was a devastating outcome for United, who surrendered at the summit of the table. It was a lifeline for City to give them hope of keeping their title dream alive as it reduced the gap between themselves and Brendan Rodgers‘ side in first.
Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United
The title challenge reduced to a critical clash against Manchester with the season winding up towards late April. United were then forced to take on City at the Etihad Stadium, and they clung onto their lead. They dominated possession in a tense match, and their pressure told when captain Vincent Kompany headed them into the lead from a corner just before half-time. City defended well, though — and a 1-0 win over the same opponent here took them level on points with United but put City ahead based by goal difference. It was actually the sort of thing you believe could swing a title race in City’s favor!
Manchester City 3-2 QPR The Etihad Stadium
Premier League 2011/12 season summary would be remiss not to mention the most thrilling final day of all time in Premier League history. Going into the final game of that season, City and United were level on points with only a goal difference to separate them. City needed around six seconds to clinch their victory leaving just a home win over relegation-threatened QPR required.
A typical match in which City should have won quite comfortably ended up being a real nightmare for them. QPR held out with a typically stubborn display – forcing the U’s to play long and defend doggedly reaching- surpassing certainly defying Peterborough after United won their home game against Sunderland with the knowledge that City needed two strikes during injury time to claim victory right up until stoppage-time ticked into injury-time.
A header from Edin Džeko in the 92nd minute levelled it at 2-2, but City still needed one more. He also had a chance in the 94th minute when Sergio Aguero took a pass within the field and averaged the ball. The Etihad Stadium went wild, Martin Tyler screamed ‘Agüerooooo!’ scream will always go down in football legend.
Victory for United would have seen them retain their crown but City’s 3-2 win earned the club a first top-flight title in 44 years, taken from United on goal difference and it was no less dramatic.
Final: A Season of the Ages
The 2011/12 Premier League season was something that encapsulates why we as fans love this sport so much, with drama unfolding what felt like every single week. The two greatest sporting images of my life are framed forever in the very universe — and heaven knows I know how vividly it does not frame much at all anymore with consequences as final indeed as they undoubtedly still remain. That might have been hard to take for Manchester United but only underlined the class and competitive strength of the Premier League.
With that unforgettable season now firmly lodged in the rearview, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that 2011/12 was more than a title race —it was an epic journey and one that serves as a reminder of what English football can be when competing at its swashbuckling best.
Here it is, the Premier League 2011/12 season in all of its glory and an example that explains why football is indeed the beautiful game brought to you by JustSports24.
