The ups and downs

Player of the seasonThierry Henry wins this at a canter, having been voted Player of the Year by his peers and football writers. An outstand...

Player of the season

Thierry Henry wins this at a canter, having been voted Player of the Year by his peers and football writers. An outstanding strike record, the Premier League8217;s top scorer with 30 goals and 38 in total, Henry8217;s dazzling pace and deft passing also brought plenty more goals for his team mates.

Young Player of the Season

Scott Parker Chelsea, Jermaine Jenas Newcastle United and Shaun Wright-Phillips Manchester City all did well over the full Premier League season while Jermain Defoe Tottenham Hotspur and Jonathan Stead Blackburn Rovers made an impact after arriving mid-term. But Arsenal8217;s Kolo Toure of Ivory Coast was the revelation of the season in central defence and a steal at 442,900.

Game of the season

Champions Arsenal were involved in some exhilarating games, their 5-1 FA Cup demolition of Portsmouth being a master-class in passing football while the 5-0 drubbing of Leeds United, in which Henry scored four, was the same for finishing. For sheer tension, Chelsea8217;s Champions League win over Arsenal takes top slot. But the best overall game came in the FA Cup when Manchester City, down to 10 men and trailing 3-0 at halftime to Tottenham Hotspur, roared back for an astonishing 4-3 win.

Goal of the season

Top scorer Thierry Henry staked his claim with his trademark runs from the halfway line, notably in the 5-0 win over Leeds, and a stinging shot, such as the one from 25 metres in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United. An Austin 8216;Jay-Jay8217; Okocha free kick, sealing a 5-2 League Cup win over Aston Villa, was superb. But the biscuit goes to Newcastle United winger Laurent Robert for a jaw-dropping shot from distance in a 4-0 win over Spurs.

Turning Point of the Season.

Around 6.00 pm, September 21, 2003, with two events at the end of Arsenal8217;s 0-0 draw at Manchester United. Arsenal8217;s fledgling unbeaten record was preserved when Ruud van Nistelrooy missed a stoppage time penalty. Arsenal players then sparked a fracas which led to four of them being banned and the club receiving the second biggest fine in English soccer history at 175,000 pounds. The fallout triggered a dramatic improvement in their disciplinary record and played a key part in the title.

Worst performance

Not only for the scoreline, but the manner of Leeds United8217;s 6-1 defeat by promoted Portsmouth in November was a low point which even Leicester City, who managed to lose 4-3 to Wolverhampton Wanderers after leading 3-0, failed to match.

REUTERS