2004–05 FA Premier League explained

Continentalcup1 Qualifiers:Chelsea
Arsenal
Manchester United
Everton
Liverpool (as Champions League winners)
Matches:380
Total Goals:975
League Topscorer Section:Top scorers
League Topscorer:Thierry Henry
(25 goals)
Best Goalkeeper:Petr Čech (24 clean sheets)
Biggest Home Win:
(11 May 2005)
Biggest Away Win:
(26 December 2004)
Highest Scoring:
(13 November 2004)
Longest Wins:8 games[1]
Chelsea
Longest Unbeaten:29 games
Chelsea
Longest Winless:15 games
West Bromwich Albion
Longest Losses:6 games
Bolton Wanderers
Tottenham Hotspur
Highest Attendance:67,989

(26 February 2005)
Lowest Attendance:16,180

(16 January 2005)
Attendance:12,882,140
Average Attendance:33,900
Dates:14 August 2004 – 15 May 2005

The 2004–05 FA Premier League (known as the FA Barclays Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the 13th season of the Premier League. It began on 14 August 2004 and ended on 15 May 2005. Arsenal were the defending champions after going unbeaten the previous season. Chelsea won the title with a then record 95 points, which was previously set by Manchester United in the 1993–94 season, and later surpassed by Manchester City in the 2017–18 season (100), securing the title with a 2–0 win at the Reebok Stadium against Bolton Wanderers. Chelsea also broke a number of other records during their campaign, most notably breaking the record of most games won in a single Premier League campaign, securing 29 wins in the league in home and away matches, which was later surpassed by themselves in the 2016–17 season.

Season summary

Arsenal were the favourites to defend their title after finishing the previous season unbeaten, but they also faced competition in the form of regular challengers Manchester United and Chelsea, the latter under the new management of Portuguese José Mourinho, who had just won the UEFA Champions League with Porto. Liverpool also had a new manager in Spaniard Rafael Benítez, who had just won La Liga and the UEFA Cup with Valencia and were expected to challenge for the title too. Another managerial change at a club aiming for the top was at Tottenham Hotspur, who appointed Jacques Santini, who had just led France to the quarter-finals of the 2004 European Championship.

At the other end of the table, amongst those tipped for relegation were Norwich City, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, having all just been promoted from the First Division (rebranded this season as the Championship). Everton, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth were also tipped to struggle, the first three finishing just outside the relegation places the previous season and Portsmouth being in their second season.

Arsenal's record-breaking unbeaten streak of 49 games ended on 24 October 2004, when Manchester United beat them 2–0 at Old Trafford.

Relegation

For the first time since the advent of the Premier League in 1992, no team was relegated before the final day of the season. In each of the last three weekends of the season, the team that was bottom of the table at the start of the weekend finished it outside the drop zone. The final round of the season began with West Bromwich Albion at the bottom, Southampton and Crystal Palace one point ahead and Norwich City a further point ahead, in the last safe spot. West Brom, who had been bottom of the table and eight points from safety on Christmas Day, did their part by beating Portsmouth 2–0. Norwich, the only side to have their fate completely in their own hands, lost 6–0 to Fulham and went down. Southampton took the lead against Manchester United within 10 minutes through a John O'Shea own goal, but ultimately lost the match 2–1 and were also relegated. Crystal Palace, away to Charlton Athletic, were leading 2–1 after 71 minutes, but with eight minutes to go, Jonathan Fortune equalised for Charlton to send their South East London rivals down. Had Palace won they would have stayed up; instead they became the first team to be relegated from the Premier League four times. As a result, West Brom stayed up, becoming the first club in Premier League history to avoid relegation after being bottom of the table at Christmas.

As all four matches ended, cameras focused on West Brom's home ground, The Hawthorns, as confirmation of other results began to filter through. Once the realisation dawned on the players and fans that survival had been achieved, a mass pitch invasion was sparked, with huge celebrations. The Portsmouth fans joined in the celebrations as, through losing, they had "helped" relegate arch-rivals Southampton.

Teams

Twenty teams competed in the league – the top seventeen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the First Division. The promoted teams were Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, returning to the top flight after an absence of nine, one and six years respectively. The promoted teams replaced Leicester City, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were relegated to the newly branded Championship. Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers were both relegated after a season's presence, while Leeds United ended their top flight spell of fourteen years.

Stadiums and locations

TeamLocationStadiumCapacity
ArsenalArsenal Stadium38,419
Aston VillaVilla Park42,553
Birmingham CityBirmingham St Andrew's30,079
Blackburn RoversBlackburnEwood Park31,367
Bolton WanderersBoltonReebok Stadium28,723
Charlton AthleticLondon The Valley27,111
ChelseaLondon Stamford Bridge42,360
Crystal PalaceLondon Selhurst Park25,073
EvertonGoodison Park40,569
FulhamLondon Craven Cottage24,600
LiverpoolLiverpool Anfield45,276
Manchester CityCity of Manchester Stadium48,000
Manchester UnitedManchester Old Trafford68,217
MiddlesbroughMiddlesbroughRiverside Stadium35,049
Newcastle UnitedNewcastle upon TyneSt James' Park52,387
Norwich CityNorwichCarrow Road27,010
PortsmouthPortsmouthFratton Park20,220
SouthamptonSouthamptonSt Mary's Stadium32,505
Tottenham HotspurLondon White Hart Lane36,240
West Bromwich AlbionWest BromwichThe Hawthorns26,484

Personnel and kits

TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Arsenal Arsène Wenger Patrick VieiraNikeO2
Aston Villa David O'Leary Olof MellbergHummelDWS Investments
Birmingham City Steve Bruce Kenny CunninghamDiadoraFlybe
Blackburn Rovers Mark Hughes Garry FlitcroftLonsdaleHSA
Bolton Wanderers Sam Allardyce Jay-Jay OkochaReebokReebok
Charlton Athletic Alan Curbishley Matt HollandJomaAll:Sports
Chelsea José Mourinho John TerryUmbroEmirates
Crystal Palace Iain Dowie Michael HughesDiadoraChurchill
Everton David Moyes David WeirUmbroChang
Fulham Chris Coleman Lee ClarkPumadabs.com
Liverpool Rafael Benítez Steven GerrardReebokCarlsberg
Manchester City Stuart Pearce Sylvain DistinReebokThomas Cook
Manchester United Alex Ferguson Roy KeaneNikeVodafone
Middlesbrough Steve McClaren Gareth Southgate888.com
Newcastle United Graeme Souness Alan ShearerAdidasNorthern Rock
Norwich City Nigel Worthington Craig FlemingXaraProton
Portsmouth Alain Perrin Arjan De ZeeuwPompey SportTY
Southampton Harry Redknapp Nigel QuashieSaintsFriends Provident
Tottenham Hotspur Martin Jol Ledley KingKappaThomson Holidays
West Bromwich Albion Bryan Robson Kevin CampbellDiadoraT-Mobile

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointment
Liverpool Gérard HoullierMutual consent24 May 2004[2] Pre-season Rafael Benítez16 June 2004[3]
Chelsea Claudio RanieriSacked31 May 2004 José Mourinho2 June 2004[4]
Tottenham Hotspur David Pleat (caretaker)End of caretaker spell1 June 2004 Jacques Santini3 June 2004[5]
Southampton Paul SturrockMutual consent23 August 2004[6] 10th Steve Wigley23 August 2004
Newcastle United Sir Bobby RobsonSacked30 August 2004[7] 17th Graeme Souness6 September 2004[8]
Blackburn Rovers Graeme SounessSigned by Newcastle United6 September 200419th Mark Hughes16 September 2004[9]
West Bromwich Albion Gary MegsonSacked26 October 2004[10] 16th Bryan Robson9 November 2004[11]
Tottenham Hotspur Jacques SantiniResigned5 November 200411th Martin Jol8 November 2004[12]
Portsmouth Harry Redknapp24 November 2004[13] 12th Velimir Zajec21 December 2004[14]
Southampton Steve WigleySacked8 December 200418th Harry Redknapp21 December 2004[15]
Manchester City Kevin KeeganResigned11 March 2005[16] 12th Stuart Pearce (caretaker)11 March 2005
Portsmouth Velimir ZajecReturned to director of football position7 April 200516th Alain Perrin7 April 2005[17]
Manchester City Stuart Pearce (caretaker)End of caretaker period12 May 2005[18] 8th Stuart Pearce12 May 2005

League table

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Thierry HenryArsenal25
2 Andy JohnsonCrystal Palace21
3 Robert PiresArsenal14
4 Jermain DefoeTottenham Hotspur13
Jimmy Floyd HasselbainkMiddlesbrough13
Frank LampardChelsea13
YakubuPortsmouth13
8 Andy ColeFulham12
Peter CrouchSouthampton12
Eiður GuðjohnsenChelsea12

Awards

Monthly awards

MonthManager of the MonthPlayer of the Month
August Arsène Wenger (Arsenal) José Antonio Reyes (Arsenal)
September David Moyes (Everton) Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur)
October Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth) Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace)
November José Mourinho (Chelsea) Arjen Robben (Chelsea)
December Martin Jol (Tottenham Hotspur) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
January José Mourinho (Chelsea) John Terry (Chelsea)
February Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
March Harry Redknapp (Southampton) Joe Cole (Chelsea)
April Stuart Pearce (Manchester City) Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Annual awards

PFA Players' Player of the Year

The PFA Player's Player of the year award was won by Chelsea captain John Terry.

The shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, in alphabetical order, was as follows:[19]

PFA Young Player of the Year

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was the recipient for this award.

PFA Fans' Player of the Year

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard won this award for the first time.

PFA Team of the year

Goalkeeper – Petr Čech
Defenders – Gary Neville, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole
Midfielders – Shaun Wright-Phillips, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Arjen Robben
Strikers – Thierry Henry, Andy Johnson

FWA Footballer of the Year

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard won this award.

Premier League Player of the Season

Chelsea's midfielder Frank Lampard won the Premier League Player of the Season award.

Premier League Golden Boot

Arsenal and French striker Thierry Henry won the Premier League Golden Boot award for the third time in his career with 25 goals.

Premier League Golden Glove

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech won the Premier League Golden Glove, for 25 clean sheets, in his debut season as he set a remarkable record of 10 consecutive clean sheets, as Chelsea won the title.

Premier League Manager of the Season

José Mourinho was awarded the Premier League Manager of the Season award after he led Chelsea to their first Premier League title, second Top division title in their history.[20] [21] During his first season at the club, Chelsea won the Premier League title (their first league title in 50 years) and the League Cup. The season was also notable for the number of records set during the season: Fewest goals against in a Premier League season (15), most clean sheets kept in a season (25), most wins in a season (29), most consecutive away wins (9) and the most points in a season (95).

Premier League Fair Play Award

The Premier League Fair Play Award is merit given to the team who has been the most sporting and best behaved team. Arsenal won the award for the second year in a row, ahead of Tottenham.[22] The least sporting side for 2004–05 was Blackburn Rovers, who achieved a significantly lower fair play score than any other side.[23]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: English Premier League 2004–05 . statto.com . 19 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141007175818/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2004-2005/longest-sequences/full . 7 October 2014 . dead.
  2. News: Houllier to leave Liverpool . BBC Sport . 24 May 2004. 13 April 2007.
  3. News: Liverpool appoint Benitez. 16 June 2004. BBC Sport.
  4. News: Chelsea appoint Mourinho . BBC Sport . 2 June 2004 . 10 June 2016.
  5. News: Spurs appoint Santini. 2004-06-03. BBC Sport. 2009-05-21.
  6. News: Sturrock leaves Saints . BBC Sport . 23 August 2004 . 25 March 2013.
  7. News: Newcastle force Robson out . BBC Sport . 30 August 2004. 14 May 2007.
  8. News: Souness takes Newcastle job . BBC Sport . 6 September 2004 . 3 April 2012.
  9. News: Blackburn appoint Hughes . BBC Sport . 16 September 2004 . 3 April 2012.
  10. News: 26 October 2004. Megson sacked by West Brom. BBC Sport. 22 April 2007.
  11. News: Baggies appoint Robson as manager . BBC Sport . 9 November 2004 . 22 August 2007.
  12. News: Spurs appoint Jol as new boss . BBC Sport . 8 November 2004 . 3 April 2012.
  13. News: Redknapp quits as Portsmouth boss . BBC Sport . 24 November 2004 . 28 January 2008 .
  14. News: Zajec named as Pompey boss . BBC Sport . 21 December 2004 . 3 April 2012.
  15. News: Saints name Redknapp as boss . BBC Sport . 8 December 2004 . 30 October 2013.
  16. News: Keegan ends his reign at Man City. 29 August 2008. BBC Sport . 11 March 2005.
  17. News: Pompey unveil Perrin as new boss . BBC Sport . 7 April 2005 . 29 April 2012.
  18. News: Man City unveil Pearce as manager . BBC Sport . 12 May 2005 . 24 February 2008.
  19. Web site: Blues trio head PFA list . The Guardian . 14 April 2005.
  20. Web site: Premier League History - 2004/05 Season Review. www.premierleague.com. 17 August 2016. 14 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203419/https://www.premierleague.com/history/2004-05. dead.
  21. Web site: SEASONAL AWARDS 2004/05 . www.premierleague.com . 11 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061211030037/http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=678429&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsSpecialFeatures&breadcrumb=sfsub_breadcrumb . 11 December 2006 . dead.
  22. Web site: Archived copy . 17 November 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111024222922/http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/documents/jul_08/gun__1215525750_accounts2005.pdf . 24 October 2011 . dead.
  23. Web site: Fair Play League. https://web.archive.org/web/20051212075117/http://www.premierleague.com/public/downloads/publications/Fair_Play_May_16th.pdf. dead. 12 December 2005. 12 December 2005.