Since the advent of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 1992/1993 season, each individual season has produced some memorable teams who produced memorable seasons. With over 13 titles, Manchester United’s various teams during the EPL era stand out, but there have also been numerous other notable years where teams have enjoyed remarkable seasons.
Here are our picks for some of the greatest EPL teams:
Man Utd 1999-2000 Season
Under the stewardship of the legendary Alex Ferguson, Manchester United dominated the EPL, winning a record 13 titles. The team was particularly dominant in the 1990s, culminating in winning the “treble” in 1999. Their most successful season in terms of being ahead of the pack occurred in the 1999/2000 EPL season, as they demolished their rivals, winning the title with 91 points (a Premier League record for a 38-game season), with 18 points between United and 2nd placed Arsenal. They also finished the season with 11 consecutive victories.
While United weren’t that great defensively during the season (conceding 45 goals as they battled with the departure of Peter Schmeichel), they were dynamite on attack, scoring 97 goals thanks to the brilliance of United legends such as David Beckham, Roy Keane, Paul Sholes, Ryan Giggs. Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole
"I think this is the best Manchester United team we've ever had!" enthused Ferguson after United clinched the title with a victory over Southampton.
Arsenal 2003-04 season
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal team achieved a remarkable feat in the 2003/2004 season, winning the title without a single defeat, which earned the side the enviable moniker “The Invincibles”. What made this achievement all the more remarkable is that The Gunners entered the 2003-04 season on the back of a demoralising end to the previous campaign- they had blown an eight-point lead and finished second to United.
The gunners weren’t just unbeatable, but a joy to watch with elegance, beauty and interplay of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires on full display. They also had plenty of grit thanks to the intimidating presence of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva in midfield. The undefeated season still hasn't been equalled, and probably never will be.
Chelsea 2004-05 Season
Chelsea broke United’s record-setting 1999/2000 season when they won the 2004/2005 EPL with a massive 95 points, representing the team’s first EPL title and first win of the top English league since he 1954/55 season .
Much of the credit for this victory must go to Chelsea’s manager Jose Mourinho, who cheekily said that he was "special" in his first press conference as the team’s manager. It was also built on what was arguably one of the greatest defences that English football has ever seen, with Chelsea only conceding a remarkably stingy 15 goals. This defence included Claude Makelele, Paolo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho (additions from Mourinho's former club Porto,) William Gallas, captain John Terry and Petr Cech , who proved almost impenetrable in goal.
Chelsea wasn’t too shabby upfront either with the likes of Frank Lampard scoring a staggering 19 from midfield, while Arjen Robben and Damien Duff’s pace made the Blues were lethal on the break. And while Didier Drogba didn't exactly set the world alight in his first season at Stamford Bridge, Icelandic player Eidur Gudjohnson was outstanding as an elegant and effective link-man, offsetting Didier Drogba’s so-so first season at Stamford Bridge.
Leicester City 2015-16 season
While the other teams on this list are generally considered to be the “top-tier” teams of English football, Leicester City’s remarkable title win in the 2015/2016 season deserves even more plaudits considering the underdog status of Claudio Ranieri's team.
It truly was a Cinderella story, as a completely unheralded side managed to literally defy the odds (there were a whopping 5000/1 odds on Leicester winning the EPL prior to the start of the season) and shock the footballing and sport world.
While it is arguable whether Ranieri's side would have beaten any of the other teams on this list, the nature of their underdog story puts them in a different category of greatness altogether. Their championship-winning season was built on an excellent defence led by Wes Morgan, sterling goalkeeping from Kasper Schmeichel (who made his father, Man United keeper Peter, proud), sturdy work from midfielder N'Golo Kante, goalscoring from underrated striker Jamie Vardy and wonderful wing play from young Riyad Mahrez.
Manchester City 2017-18 season
After dominance by Manchester United during the Alex Ferguson era, the torch for English football ascendancy was seemingly passed to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team, who blew away the opposition, becoming the first team to achieve 100 log points and finishing 19 points above 2nd placed United. City also broke a host of other EPL records, including most wins (32), most away wins (16), most goals (106), most consecutive league wins (18), highest goal difference (+79), fewest minutes behind in matches (153 minutes) and largest winning points margin (19).
Based purely on this record, it could be argued that City played the best football that the English game has ever seen. Unsurprisingly, City had a dynamite squad that included Fernandinho marshalling the back four, De Bruyne and David Silva working magic in midfield, Sterling and Leroy Sane providing goals, and Aguero providing assists. The squad depth made the team even stronger, as Bernardo Silva, Jesus and Gundogan weren't even guaranteed starters.
Liverpool 2019-20 season
After 28 years of disappointment, Liverpool finally won the EPL for the first time in the 2019/2002 season, and in some style too. Not even the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic could stop Liverpool’s excellence as they won the Premier League both earlier (and later) than any previous champions.
Helmed by the charismatic manager Jurgen Klopp, the rampant Reds effectively wrapped up the title by February, following a remarkable undefeated run of 26 victories from 27 games- a run that is unlikely to ever be bettered. Covid-19 then temporarily forced a suspension of the season. Luckily for Liverpool, football eventually resumed and the Merseysiders claimed in June their first top-flight title since 1990, with a record-breaking 7 games to spare.
Liverpool’s return to top-dog status in English football was driven by Roberto Firmino, Mane and Salah forming one of the finest attacking triumvirates in history, as well as world-class defence by van Dijk and outstanding goalkeeping by Alisson.
Klopp and his captain Jordan Henderson were noticeably overwhelmed with emotion after sealing the historic win.
"I'm so happy for all the boys, the fans and the city. It is another moment in our lives that we will never forget." said a tearful Henderson.
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