Premier League XIs: The men who made 2004/05 …

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Publish Date: Friday May 15, 2020 8:55 AM

Do you want to go back in time 15 years? Here are the headliners of the 2004/05 season …

Goalkeeper: Mark Schwarzer
On the last day of the 2004/05 season, Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer dramatically saved a penalty from Robbie Fowler in the closing moments of his team’s game against Manchester City. It turned out to be crucial, with the 1-1 draw ensuring that Boro finished the campaign with last place in the UEFA Cup. If Fowler had converted his kick, City would have taken the European place instead. If the season had been abandoned after 29 games, the place would have been Charlton.

Right-Back: Danny Higginbotham
The Southampton season started terribly, with the Saints recording just two wins in the first half of the season. Former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp controversially took over and inspired the team to victory over Liverpool, the Spurs and relegation rivals Norwich City. Saints defender Danny Higginbotham scored a last-minute draw against Crystal Palace in the penultimate game of the season to give the team a chance to survive until the final weekend. His goal also put the Eagles in the relegation mix on the final day.

Central Defender: Jonathan Fortune
Charlton Athletic defender Jonathan Fortune ended up being the player to sink Crystal Palace, with his goal against them eight minutes before the game ended 2-2. The result meant that West Bromwich Albion stayed awake, the first Premier League-era team to survive after sitting at the end of the table at Christmas. Southampton’s loss to Manchester United on the final day saw the Saints relegated alongside Palace and Norwich City.

Center Back: John Terry
John Terry won the PFA Player of the Year award in the 2004/05 season as he led his Chelsea team to the first Premier League title. Terry formed an excellent partnership with Portuguese star Ricardo Carvalho, who arrived at Stamford Bridge alongside goalkeeper Petr Cech. Chelsea’s defense had an admirable performance throughout the season, conceding just 15 league goals and almost equaling Arsenal’s “Invincibles” previous campaign, losing only once. Terry also had a man-of-the-match performance against Liverpool in the League Cup final, with Chelsea winning 3-2 after extra time.

Left: Ashley Cole
One of Arsenal’s biggest players in their incredible undefeated 2003/04 season was left back Ashley Cole. the London born star He was at the center of a tapping controversy in 2005, with Chelsea accused of making an illegal approach for Cole. At the end of the season, Cole and Chelsea were fined for the incident. On the field, Cole helped Arsenal take second place in the table and scored a penalty kick in Arsenal’s final victory in the FA Cup final against Manchester United after the game ended 0-0.

Defensive midfielder: Fernando Hierro
Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro signed with Bolton Wanderers at the start of the 2004/05 season and became a key figure at the club during his only year in England. Iron’s masterful performances helped the Trotters to their best season since the 1950s when Sam Allardyce’s men finished sixth and at the same points as the winners of the Liverpool Champions League.

Central midfield: Kieron Dyer
Newcastle United fired legendary manager Bobby Robson earlier in the 2004/05 season, and dissatisfaction in the locker room was a factor in his dismissal. English international Kieron Dyer was one of the players accused of arguing with the former national team boss before a match against Middlesbrough. Dyer engaged in another heated exchange with teammate Lee Bowyer during the campaign. Both players were sent off after fighting each other in the Magpies’ 3-0 loss to Aston Villa. Silly beggars.

Central midfield: Frank Lampard
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard won the FWA Player of the Year award in 2004/05, with his 13 league goals helping the Blues to their first top-flight title in 50 years. Lampard connected twice against Bolton Wanderers in late April to clinch the title, but was disappointed a few days later when Chelsea lost to Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final, thanks to Luis Garcia’s “ghost goal”.

Central midfield: Steven Gerrard
After Garcia’s decisive goal in the semifinals, Liverpool faced AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final. Rafa Benitez’s team got off to a terrible start, with Italian immortal Paolo Maldini scoring in the first minute. For the break, the Reds were down 3-0, and the game looked almost like a contest. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard reportedly delivered a poignant speech during the interval, inspiring his teammates to fight in the second half. The Merseyside-born midfielder withdrew a goal to make it 3-1 and, in the 60th minute, Spanish master Xabi Alonso scored to tie the game at 3-3. Liverpool won the match on a penalty shootout, with Gerrard deservedly picking up the man of the match award after his heroic performance.

Forward: Adrian Mutu
Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu appeared to be leaving Chelsea after becoming one of the first Premier League players to fall for José Mourinho’s mismanagement of men. However, after only two league appearances in the 2004/05 season, Mutu tested positive for cocaine use and received a seven-month ban. Chelsea fired the player, with Mourinho glad to see the back of Romanian as he led the Blues to the Premier League title in its first season.

Forward: Wayne Rooney
Manchester United signed teen sensation Wayne Rooney in August 2004, with the young England rookie scoring a hat-trick in his first game when United crushed Fenerbahce 6-2 in the Champions League. Rooney scored a late goal against Arsenal on his 19th birthday when the Red Devils spectacularly ended the Gunners’ undefeated streak. His performances led to him being named the PFA Young Player of the Year as he helped United to third place in the league.

James Wiles, whose Instagram has a full load of more XI

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