Barclays English Premier League 2011-2012 Season Review

The Premier League entered its 20th season and, even after two decades of success, expansion and entertainment, no one would have predicted the sensational climax that would unfold.

Sergio Aguero sent the Etihad Stadium into ecstasy after capturing Manchester City's maiden Premier League title with a last-gasp strike against Queens Park Rangers. It was a fitting end to a captivating campaign – voted as the best ever in the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards – that started with a bang in August 2011.

Both Man City and rivals Manchester United were neck and neck after winning their first four matches, and that set the tone for the title race. In August, Edin Dzeko scored four as City beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at White Hart Lane, while a Wayne Rooney hat-trick and a double from summer signing Ashley Young gave United a remarkable 8-2 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford.

A series of other new arrivals also made their impact in the early stages. Aguero scored twice on his debut against newly promoted Swansea City, Juan Mata instantly settled at Chelsea and French midfielder Yohan Cabaye helped Newcastle United move up to third place after going unbeaten for the first 10 Premier League matches.

It was Roberto Mancini's Man City side who grabbed the initiative in the title race, though, dropping just four points in their opening 14 matches and scoring 48 goals in the process. Their first loss followed, allowing United to go level on points at Christmas.

The only defeat for Sir Alex Ferguson's side up to that point was a 6-1 thrashing by City at Old Trafford, with Mario Balotelli scoring twice and grabbing the headlines by revealing a 'Why always me?' shirt in celebration.

Tottenham Hotspur were the Manchester clubs' nearest rivals at the turn of the year but a 3-2 win for Man City over Spurs on 22 January, sealed by a stoppage-time penalty from Balotelli, effectively ruled them out of the title race.

United then went on an eight-match winning streak to open up an eight-point gap at the top, but two defeats, including one courtesy of a Vincent Kompany header, against City, and a 4-4 draw against Everton left their rivals ahead on goal difference going into the final match.

City took on QPR, still not safe from relegation, while United faced mid-table Sunderland. Wayne Rooney's goal gave United the win they needed and Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie cancelled out Pablo Zabaleta's opener at the Etihad Stadium to leave United on the brink of a 13th Premier League title.

Then, against 10-man QPR following Joey Barton's dismissal, Dzeko levelled in the 92nd minute and, with virtually the last kick of the match, Aguero's cool finish made City champions. Fans streamed on to the pitch as a historic first Premier League triumph was confirmed.

Away from the gripping race at the top, the season was a record-breaking one in many aspects. A record of 1,066 goals were scored and Aston Villa's Marc Albrighton netted the Premier League's 20,000th goal in a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in December.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew won the Manager of the Season after guiding his side to a fifth-place finish. The Magpies secured UEFA Europa League football thanks to a run of seven wins from eight matches at the tail-end of the season.

Much of that success was down to the form of January signing Papiss Cisse, who scored 13 goals in 14 matches after his move. That included a goal of the season contender against Chelsea, when he scored with an audacious, curling half-volley from long range in a 2-0 success.

That loss contributed to the Blues' sixth-place finish, but Roberto Di Matteo's team secured UEFA Champions League football for another season as the holders, after beating Bayern Munich on penalties in the final of the competition in May.

Subsequently the Premier League's top three would join Chelsea in the elite European competition, and the third spot went to Arsenal, who overhauled north London rivals Spurs by one point. The catalyst for their success was Dutch striker Robin van Persie, who won the Golden Boot after scoring 30 goals.

The season was also a successful one for newly promoted Swansea City and Norwich City, who secured 11th and 12th place respectively. The bottom three was made up of Bolton Wanderers, who were unable to overhaul QPR after drawing with Stoke City on the final day, Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wigan Athletic were bottom of the Premier League table in March, but seven wins in their final nine matches, including shock victories over Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle, ensured a 15th-place finish for Roberto Martinez's team.

[nassimaitamara]

When 40 mil for 3 players was a lot of money.

[WoutGaming]

Still can't believe United blew an 8 point lead on city with like 7 games remaining

[hdivian]

The most nail biting ending of a season I've ever witnessed my whole life

[rodrigodacosta]

who else loves watching old Season Reviews
Btw love that Newcastle team, pure beautiful football, i remember that in the next season they played against my Benfica in the UEL we won but man they were tough

[WoutGaming]

Appreciate you uploading all of this in times when we have no football to watch. Thank god for this

[SinnohGreen]

The cut of the classic intro hurts man. It’s a hallmark of this series to me.

[yrret]

why did you cut off the vid just before the most amazing moment in english football?

[melindaward]

Manchester City won the title just in case you didn't know. terrible editing, made it look like City lost and United won the league.

[Nightopian]

Chicharito was such a find for United. Shame his career at OT faltered, but his contribution at times was huge. The fact that he cost half as much in 2010 as Dwight Yorke did back in '99 is incredible when you think about the transfer values today. I think if he'd not had his ankle injury during this 11/12 season, City might not have won it. How United could do with strikers like him right now.

[JamieDaGameRX]

Newcastle were so impressive that season, with a better manager they could've easily pushed for 3rd

[jacksayer]

22:52 A legend returned to the Premier League in the form of P A U L

[samking]

how on earth have you missed the best moment of the season out ? . regardless, probably the second best premier league season of the decade

[Naklamasara]

A memory that will never fade, just hate how money outweighs this beautiful moments
Really missed season reviews nd the introduction of the premier league teams 😢

[dreamsofwidnes]

skips all over the shop and the end is missing

[kitthompson]

yep thats how it ended man utd won the league and a statue of cisse and barton was placed outside old trafford Mancini was sacked after a trophy less season and Aguero returned to spain next year after a dip in form

[aidygooner]

Balotelli's key moments are sometimes overlooked when you consider that winning goal vs Spurs after getting fouled himself although he should not have been on the pitch, and also that assist for AGUEROOOO

[banthachannel]

This was just like 2018/19 liverpool were ahead by 7 until loosing to city then drawing 3 or 4 games which costed them them the title BY A POINT!!

[i_amgato]

Everybody talks about how city won the league.... Let's just appreciate the escape that Wigan did... Beating Newcastle (who was in the top 4) Liverpool, arsenal, man united to not get relegated

[jessicaheysmith]

When Norwich City were kinda consistent 😞🔰🔰

[abdubinyaameen]

Cant lie even tho we lost the title. Created the best moment in prem history. Then we end up winning the league next on sir alex last season with rvp. Miss those times. We haven't been near a title since