Team of the Week and Weekend Wonders: Week 38
Well, that was tedious . . . Of course it wasn't! What an end to the season. What a season overall! It was sensational in every aspect. Sunday's fixtures emphasised the point that England's Premier League is the best in the world.
We finally have the answer to the ultimate question: Manchester City have won the title. And what a way they did it. Arsenal will join them and United in the Champions League, while Tottenham wait with baited breath to see if they will take part in the competition or if Chelsea will get that honour. At the other end, Bolton Wanderers joined Blackburn and Wolves in the Championship. The final games of the season did not disappoint and now it turns to me, Mitch Waddon, to give you, sadly, the final Team of the Week of the season.
Goalkeeper: Shay Given (Aston Villa)
We opened the season with Given, and we close the season with Given. Although his woeful Villa side lost 2-0 at Norwich, the Irishman's heroics between the sticks kept the scoreline respectable.
Right Back: Emmerson Boyce (Wigan)
Two goals from the English-born Barbados international gave Wigan a brilliant end to the season, beating Wolves 3-2 and seven wins from their last nine games.
Centre Back: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
On a day where City struggled and still won the league, Zabaleta stayed strong and was composed enough to deliever his first goal of the season and put the Blues in the driver's seat.
Centre Back: John Terry (Chelsea)
The former England captain may not be allowed to play in Munich but he capped the end of the season with an assured performance against Blackburn, scoring the opening goal to help his side to a 2-1 win.
Left Back: Andre Santos (Arsenal)
A name we haven't seen mentioned here in our team of the week often, but Santos played a great game at left back for Arsenal to aid the Gunners to a 3-2 win over West Brom, with the Brazilian contributing the second goal.
Right Midfield: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
A player who's had a stunning second half to the season once again joins the party here, as Valencia dominated the right hand side against Sunderland.
Centre Midfield: Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
A force to be reckoned with in the centre of the pitch, Fellaini stopped the flowing play of Newcastle with apparent ease in the 3-1 victory for Everton.
Centre Midfield: Wes Hoolahan (Norwich)
Hoolahan's had a good couple of weeks, and ended his campain incredibly well with his side's victory over Aston Villa. The link up play that Hoolahan created was stunning and we look forward to seeing him gracing the Premier League again next season.
Left Midfield: John Morrison (West Brom)
The Scot came good against Arsenal. Once again Morrison's strong play up and down the wing along with his range of passing helped West Brom to a near victory, only to be decided by the flapping Fulop (but we'll come to that later).
Left Forward: Jonathan Walters (Stoke)
Two goals, although controversial, helped Stoke to earn a draw at home to Bolton and therefore relegate their opponents on the day. Walters has been a strong player for Stoke since joining from Ipswich and is a worthy starter for the Potters.
Right Forward: Grant Holt (Norwich)
The Norwich fans wanted him, well you've got him! Holt was excellent against Aston Villa, scoring the first goal and his 15th of the season. Perhaps Holt may have earnt himself a spot on the plane to the Euros...
The Weekend Wonders
Manager of the Weekend: David Moyes (Everton)
I struggled with this one a bit this week. The obvious choice was Roberto Mancini for his side winning the title but it's going to go to Moyes for his side's brilliant 3-1 win over Champions League contenders Newcastle. The victory would've been extra sweet as it meant finishing above Liverpool.
Goal of the Weekend: Emmerson Boyce (Wigan)
Well, I don't think we'd expect that from the defender. Boyce's second goal was a wonderful curling volley with the outside of the boot for Wigan's third against Wolves, and it was a stunner. Special mention must also go to Graham Dorrans for his goal against Arsenal.
Controversy of the Weekend: Jon Walters' goals v Bolton
Bolton may be down, but it isn't without question. The two goals that condemned them to the Championship came from Jon Walters. The first appeared to be in the hands of the goalkeeper, but when Walters headed it in the referee allowed it to stand. The second was a soft penalty given for a foul on Peter Crouch. Although they haven't been good enough this season, Bolton will have cause for complaint about the manner of their departure from the Premier League.
Howler of the Weekend: Joey Barton (need I say more?)
I could've done so much with the howler of the weekend. My first choice was Fulop of West Brom, who probably singled handedly cost the Baggies against Arsenal. Yet there was only one thing we could talk about. Joey Barton. How is this man still in football? He's got the tempermant of a raging bull and soon he is going to seriously injure a player to the point of no return, and I mean on the pitch this time. I think the lad needs a seriously long ban, and it wouldn't be unfair of QPR to sack him. FA, please listen and ban him.
Mitch's Moment: A summary
Well it's been frantic and it's been fantastic. The Premier League is once again over for another season and we've seen some amazing sights. The quality and quantity of goals has been better than ever and we've been treated beyond our wildest dreams. Yet we've also had the reminders that football isn't everything, and Fabrice Muamba and Stan Petrov have united the football family with our threads of love and prayer for the two. We've seen the most unlikely season ever, and we've loved every minute of it. And through it all, we've assessed the best. And it's been a pleasure.
For the last time this season, thank you for reading.
Follow Mitch on Twitter. @MitchWaddon
