Premier League Awards ANOTHER PREMIER LEAGUE ROLLERCOASTER GRINDS TO A HALT THIS WEEKEND. TIME, THEN, FOR SPORT’S ANNUAL AWARDS – AND THIS SEASON’S BEST TIME WE’RE STARTING WITH THE GOOD GUYS… UNSUNG HERO OF THE SEASON 1. Rickie Lambert After 21 goals in League One helped Southampton to the Championship, and his 27 goals at that level took them to the promised land, Lambert has made it three incredible seasons on the trot, with a haul of 14 Premier League goals. It wasn’t enough to save GOAL OF his manager, but he picks up our main gong – which is sure to be some consolation. 2. Leighton Baines He defends, he makes goals, he scores goals, he takes a hell of a free-kick – and he’s bloody English. The only problem for Everton fans is that he’s probably off to Old Trafford next season. 3. Michu Okay, his early season form died off after the Swans picked up some silverware, but the man deserves a break after such a remarkable spell for Swansea. The challenge for Michael Laudrup THE now is keeping the walking shampoo advert happy in Wales. MOST MANAGER OF THE SEASON 1. Sir Alex Ferguson Who else? Europe might not have gone to plan in the big man’s final season, but these are the Premier SEASON PROMISING 1 MATT LOWTON League awards – so no one else comes Aston Villa v Stoke, April 6 The Villa right-back close. Fergie brought in one big signing and arrows an unstoppable 30-yard volley into the YOUNGSTER watched his side reward him with one last top corner after a half-cleared corner. title. Farewell, Fergie. Ye shall be missed. 2. Steve Clarke The former Liverpool and 2 LOIC REMY Chelsea number two has led West Brom to QPR v Wigan, April 7 A quick counter-attack 1. Eden Hazard Impossible to give it to a comfortable top-10 finish. Injuries put sees a Stephane Mbia layoff finished first time anyone else. The Belgian (one of three on paid to a flying start to the season, but into the far top corner of the net. the list – Belgium for the World Cup in a few new faces could see another big step 2020?) has taken to the Prem like a duck forward next year, and leave some 3 ANDREAS WEIMANN to water, contributing nine league goals Liverpool fans wondering if they shouldn’t Aston Villa v Liverpool, December 15 and 16 league assists to Chelsea’s cause. have given him a shot in the hotseat. After some slick passing, Christian Benteke’s Sure, he kicked a ball boy – but that wasn’t 3. Sam Allardyce The fact we’ve heard so backheel parts the Liverpool defence to leave in the league so it doesn’t count. little about West Ham this season tells its the little Austrian with an easy finish. 2. Christian Benteke The big striker has own story. Tipped by many for relegation, made Aston Villa fans forget his shortened the Hammers have 4 JONATHAN DE GUZMAN name-alike very quickly, throwing in 19 been comfortable for Swansea v Stoke, January 19 A quick pass, goals and four assists. His link-up play with a long time. His style a backheel, a through ball, a cheeky flick and Andreas Weimann was Villa’s sole threat may come under a side-footed finish add up to a team gem. until Gabby Agbonhalor’s recent run. attack from 3. Romelu Lukaku Another big Belgian some, but 5 JERMAIN DEFOE goalscorer completes the list. His 14 there’s no Tottenham v West Ham, November 25 goals and seven assists helped spearhead denying Big Picking up the ball by the touchline, Defoe West Brom’s early-season form, and four Sam’s spins and beats three men before goals in three early Februrary games plan firing in from outside the box. > All pictures Getty Images halted the Baggies’ mini-slide. works. 24 | May 17 2013 | Premier League Awards BEST FATHERLY EXAMPLE TEAM OF THE YEAR TO A YOUNG DAUGHTER Sunday Times, April 21 Luis Suarez says of his wife: “She’s my biggest critic, she Asmir Begovic always comes to watch me. She Stoke asks what I’m doing, why am I arguing with the referee. ’All you’ve done today is turn up to shout at people, why don’t you concentrate on playing football?’ If I don’t, they [Sofia Pablo Zabaleta Jan Vertonghen Laurent Koscielny Leighton Baines and his daughter, Delfina] won’t Man City Tottenham Arsenal Everton come and watch me any more.” Anfield, April 21 Suarez bites Branislav Ivanovic on the arm and picks up a 10-game ban. For his sake, we hope Delfina doesn’t have Sky Sports. Juan Mata Michael Carrick Santi Cazorla Gareth Bale Chelsea Man Utd Arsenal Tottenham BOOKING OF THE YEAR The PFA securing the talents of Reginald D Hunter, not realising he was going to make offensive jokes. Bravo, PFA. Bra. Flippin’. Vo. Robin Van Persie Luis Suarez Man Utd Liverpool Rex Features. All other pictures Getty Images WORST ATTEMPT TO BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT 1. Newcastle It all promised so much after last season. Alan Pardew had signed an eight-year contract, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse were ready to form a deadly partnership, and the midfield creators who had torn AVOID RELEGATION the league up were all fit and raring to go. Yet it took until the You’re scrapping for survival in the penultimate weekend of the season for Newcastle to guarantee polar opposite of a winner-takes-all Premier League safety. The Magpies’ long-term seat at football’s clash. What do you do? Well, if you’re top table is once again looking dubious, and Pardew (presuming he Harry Redknapp or Nigel Adkins, stays, considering it’ll cost Mike Ashley £10m to get rid of him now) you watch your teams play out needs to invest wisely to trouble the right end of the table next time a dire draw as you replace out. Plus one of their fans punched a horse – but more on that later. one full-back with 2. The title challenge another in the final Yes, Manchester United were imperious, and the race for the 15 minutes (they Champions League spots has been pretty exciting. But, seriously, both did this) and wait until the dying who were United’s challengers? Chelsea have stumbled through moments to even think about the season, Tottenham have had one man to thank for their top-five throwing an extra striker on. position and Arsenal gave up the ghost when they sold RVP to the Rob Green taking over a minute to Red Devils. At least City gave it a go, but the Mario Balotelli take a goal-kick in injury time sums distraction ended up being too great. We expect better next it all up. A 0-0 draw relegated both season, chaps. Don’t let a mardy Scot win it so easily again. sides. Jose Bosingwa laughed. 3. Fernando Torres Nobody else really cared. £50m. Never forget that. > | May 17 2013 | 27 Premier League Awards TOP THREE BRENDAN ‘THE ANIMAL STANDING RODGERS QUOTES UP TO PHYSICAL ABUSE “My biggest mentor is myself because I’ve had to study, so that’s FROM A FAN’ AWARD been my biggest influence.” “I always say a squad is like a good meal – I’m not a great cook, but a good meal takes a wee bit of time. But also, to offer a good meal, you need good ingredients.” “I’ve always worked along the statistic that if you can dominate the game with the ball you have a 79 per cent chance of winning a game of football.” Step forward Bud the police horse, who took a right hook to the snout from an overexcited Newcastle fan after the Tyne-Wear derby. Barry Rogerson, the infamous fan in question, said he “did not go out to attack a horse”. He added: “I’m an animal lover. I’ve got three dogs, a fish pond out the back LEAST SURPRISING FIB and I feed foxes across the road.” We don’t know how to tell you this, Barry, OF THE SEASON but foxes are vermin. Stop feeding them right now. “I don’t want to spend the owner’s money,” said Harry Redknapp before the January transfer window. “I won’t be looking to get ILL-ADVISED rid of anyone.” Thirty-one short days later, the Rs had let five players go and brought in six new faces, including Christopher Samba and Loic Remy on £100,000 and £75,000 MOVE OF per week. Both triffic lads, mind. THE SEASON Injury hasn’t helped him, THE ’TAKING THE SEASON OF GOODWILL A BIT TOO FAR’ AWARD to be fair, but Scott Sinclair might be wishing he could wind the clock back 12 months and stick with a Swansea team on the rise. Sport is no expert, but when your boss tells the press that you There’s getting in the Christmas spirit, and then there’s Aston Villa. Paul Lambert’s men haven’t had should probably leave the strongest of seasons, but their three-game run from the December 23-29 saw them ship a the club less than a remarkable 15 goals without scoring one in reply, as they went down 8-0, 4-0 and 3-0 to Chelsea, year after you signed, Tottenham and Wigan respectively. ’Twas the season, and all that. things probably aren’t Rex Features. All other pictures Getty Images going brilliantly.