It's hard to believe that the 2003/04 season is nearly over already. The opening day brought few real surprises, with Arsenal and Manchester United both victorious and Wolves being well beaten.
But there were certainly plenty of shocks and upsets along the way - except for Arsenal who still remain unbeaten.
There have been several outstanding performers who failed to make the team of the season - none more so than Chelsea's Frank Lampard. Despite a superb season with Claudio Ranieri's plastic 'galacticos' he is edged out of a place in the centre of midfield. And team-mate Wayne Bridge is left out in favour of a player who has excelled in a less fashionable team.
Defensively, there was a clamour for a place in central defence with both Newcastle's Jonathan Woodgate and Sol Campbell of Arsenal in the reckoning. And the goalkeeping jersey is one which is hotly contested with Antti Niemi, Shay Given and Tim Howard all in fine form.
Up front, Alan Shearer continued to reap the benefits of his international retirement, while Louis Saha and Juan Pablo Angel both came of age in the Premiership.
Goalkeeper: Maik Taylor (Birmingham City)
The Northern Ireland international arrived at St Andrew's initially on loan from Fulham at the beginning of the season, desperate to emerge from the substantial shadow of Dutch stopper Edwin van der Sar.
His performances, in what was his debut season as a first choice Premiership goalkeeper, impressed Steve Bruce so much that the transfer was made permanent in a £1.5million deal in March.
The 32-year-old is one of the main reasons that Birmingham remain in the hunt for a place in Europe at this stage of the season. Bruce said of the former soldier: 'I wouldn't swap him for anyone.' An inspirational display against Leeds at Elland Road was just one of a string of top drawer shows.
Right-back: Moritz Volz (Fulham)
Volz is another player who began the season on loan but earned a permanent switch.
The German star was rotting in Arsenal's reserves before being picked up by Fulham manager Chris Coleman on a deal to last until January. He made the right-back position his own, and there was even talk of Arsenal wanting to keep hold of him after proving himself in the Premiership.
But Fulham managed to come to an agreement with the Gunners for the transfer of the former Schalke 04 defender, and he remains an important part of the Cottagers' bid to finish in the top half of the table in Coleman's first season as a manager.
Left-back: JLloyd Samuel (Aston Villa)
Just 12 months ago the future looked bleak for this England Under-21 international. He struggled to hold down a place in the Villa first team, and when new manager David O'Leary came in he was given less-than-glowing reports from the backroom staff.
Now, however, Samuel is one of the first names on the team-sheet. His attacking play complements his defensive qualities perfectly with both his Premiership strikes proving winners - against Charlton at Villa Park and The Valley.
His form led to a first call-up into the full England squad for the game against Sweden - and he would surely have made his debut by now had it not been for Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge.
Centre-back: John Terry (Chelsea)
Terry has been an absolute rock at the back for Chelsea, finally putting some unsavoury off-field events behind him to emerge as one of the Premiership's best defenders. He is a big, strong, hard-tackling centre-half, who has come on leaps and bounds since winning Chelsea's Young Player of the Year award in 1998/99. Jonathan Woodgate's thigh injury means it is almost certain that Terry will partner Sol Campbell for England in Portugal - and many would argue he is a better selection than the suspended Rio Ferdinand anyway.
The 23-year-old is now showing maturity beyond his years, meaning that central defence is one area that Roman Abramovic surely won't need to strengthen in the summer.
Centre-back: Kolo Toure (Arsenal)
Throughout last summer there was rumour after rumour concerning Arsene Wenger's search for a new central defender, and when he made no major signing in that area some were questioning the logic. Surely even Wenger cannot have expected his experiment of Toure in that position could have come off so spectacularly?
You can count on one hand the number of errors the Ivory Coast star has made throughout the campaign, proving himself to be a class act and saving the Gunners a great deal of transfer cash in the process.
At a cost of just £150,000 from Asec Mimosas two years ago, Toure could go on to become the greatest bargain in Premiership history.
Right-midfield: Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)
The City of Manchester Stadium has brought little cheer to Manchester City in its debut season, but at least the Blues have had this pint-sized bundle of energy to rave over. The England Under-21 international, another who earned his first full call-up for the Sweden trip, has tormented defences with his jinking runs and lightening pace.
The highlight of his season will probably be the darting run and thunderbolt finish to wrap up the humiliation of Manchester United. Kevin Keegan has revealed that Wright-Phillips is now one of the first names on his team sheet. The midfielder has been on top form all season, and he doesn't deserve to be playing in a side which remains in danger of relegation from the Premiership.
Left-midfield: Robert Pires (Arsenal)
The French wing wonder may actually have had better seasons - but he has still outshone anyone else in his position in the Premiership.
He is pivotal to the Arsenal style, able to spark an attack with his pace, create chances with his vision and score the spectacular as well.
A return of 14 Premiership goals and ten assists proves he is one of the most effective wingers in the division, and without him Arsenal certainly look less effective.
After missing out on the last World Cup because of injury, Pires will look to be one of the stars of Euro 2004 - it's hard to imagine him being a failure.
Central-midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
It may be somewhat controversial to pick the Liverpool midfielder ahead of Chelsea's Frank Lampard, but there was very little to choose between the two. The captain's armband has brought from Gerrard a similar response to that shown by David Beckham with England - he has moved onto another level.
Without Gerrard's energetic, all-action style Liverpool's hope of Champions League football would have died weeks ago. He may have only contributed three goals and five assists, but he had been the drive behind most of Liverpool's forward play.
The fact that he now appears to have put his injury troubles behind him can only be good for both England and the Anfield club.
Central-midfield: Patrick Vieira (Arsenal)
The Arsenal captain just seems to get better as the seasons pass by.
Yet again he has been immense; his energy, tenacious tackling and box-to-box play must make him the best player of his kind in the world.
His goal against Tottenham Hotspur was the epitome of what he's about - defending a corner on the edge of his own box before running the full length of the pitch to join in the attack.
Vieira is an awesome powerhouse who connects the play to devastating effect. Quite simply, you could not have a team of the season without Vieira.
Forward: Mikael Forssell (Birmingham City)
Not many would have placed bets on Forssell being the 'top scoring Chelsea player' at the start of the season, but his impact at St Andrew's has been phenomenal. The classy forward has bagged 17 goals so far this season - out of Birmingham's total of 42.
Blues fans must be ecstatic after learning his loan deal has been extended to encompass next season as well. With Forssell in the ranks, Birmingham have looked credible contenders for a place in Europe.
Both his touch and finishing ability are of the highest quality - if he continues his fine form next season Birmingham will struggle to hold onto him permanently.
Forward: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Is it possible to run out of superlatives for Henry? He is just out of this world - the best player in any league right now. He can have had no more than a handful of disappointing games this season, and just when it looked like he was off-form he rattled in seven goals in only three games - a hat-trick against Liverpool and four past Leeds United.
He has pace, power, control and vision - almost the complete package as a striker.
The finish for his fourth against Leeds, when he managed to produce a perfectly executed goal despite stumbling, was as good a goal as any he's bagged. A tally of 29 goals in 33 games, with ten assists, makes him easily the most lethal weapon around.
Manager: Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
Despite the fine achievements of David O'Leary, Steve Bruce, Chris Coleman and Harry Redknapp, the award has to go to Arsene Wenger. The Gunners have been simply irresistible virtually all season long, and any team that manages to go unbeaten for so long must be among the true greats.
His calm managerial style and expertise in the transfer market have made Arsenal what they are today. You only have to compare the French imports of Liverpool and Arsenal to identify the gulf in quality between the club's managers.
Wenger made sure his team responded perfectly to their loss of control against Manchester United at Old Trafford - and that was vital to their championship success.
Any thoughts? Then you can email Dale Johnson.
