Post by Taxigirl on Jan 2, 2004 10:00:39 GMT
The Premiership year has thrown up its fair share of heroes and has witnessed some big-money summer moves.
Some eye-catching and consistent displays would have many fans arguing over who was the star of the show.
But what about the ultimate fantasy 11 of 2003?
BBC Sport takes a look at the ultimate Premiership dream team based on performances throughout the year.
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Carlo Cudicini
Mr Consistency between the sticks for Chelsea in 2003. The Blues' league record of only 38 goals conceded was second only to Manchester United's record last season and Chelsea have only shipped 16 goals this term.
Kolo Toure
Was struggling to even make the Arsenal team last season but was a rock-solid utility player and has been a revelation since the summer. Solved a central defensive dillemma and has covered brilliantly at right-back during Lauren's suspension.
Wayne Bridge
Consistent displays for Southampton last season and missed only four Premiership games for the Saints, before reaching the FA Cup final. Played in all but two of Chelsea's Premiership matches this term after moving in a £7m summer move.
John Terry
His stock has risen throughout the year. A growing presence in the Chelsea team last season and a virtual ever-present so far this term, he has also broken into the England senior ranks and looks set to replace Rio Ferdinand in the Euro 2004 finals.
Mikael Silvestre
Finally found his rightful place in the Manchester United set-up after seasons of slotting in, right, left and centre. Has missed only four Premiership games in 2003.
Roy Keane
Back to his best this season after recovering from a series of injuries. Returned from a serious hip injury at the end of 2002 with many questioning whether he would ever rediscover his best but has emphatically proved those fears unfounded.
Frank Lampard
Surely the most consistent midfielder in the Premiership during 2003 and a regular goalscorer. Yet to fully establish himself as an England regular but his league displays suggest that honour is not far away.
Jay-Jay Okocha
The most exciting individual in the Premiership. Never scared to try a trick and a genuine crowd pleaser, not least when he is scoring spectacular goals. Sam Allardyce's best signing and unarguably one of the Premiership's great entertainers.
Damien Duff
Eye-catching displays helped Blackburn finish sixth in the Premiership and prompted a £17m summer switch to Chelsea. Dazzling start to the season as Claudio Ranieri's new-look side quickly gelled and has been conspicuous by his absence through injury in the final weeks of the year.
Thierry Henry
Narrowly missed out on two European player of the year awards but walks into this team. Boasts 94 Premiership goals from just 139 games, 26 of them in 2003.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Would form the ultimate fantasy strike partnership with Henry. Scored 30 Premiership goals in 2003, including a run of eight successive scoring games to help United close in on the title.
Substitutes:
Anti Niemi Consistent performer and a brilliant shot-stopper who helped Saints to an FA Cup final and eighth place in the Premiership last season, the same position they ended 2003 in.
Sol Campbell
The obvious choice at centre-back, but blotted his copybook with a red card against Manchester United towards the end of last season, resulting in a suspension which cost him a cup final appearance and virtually handed the Premiership title to United.
Robert Pires
Dazzling wide player for Arsenal and a match-winning weapon with his regular supply of goals. Hit the winner for Arsenal in the FA Cup final against Southampton and repeated the trick at St Mary's on Monday to end 2003 in familiar style.
Scott Parker
An emerging force in the Premiership, ending the year in dazzling form. Consistent displays at the heart of Charlton's midfield have put him on the verge of the England set-up.
Wayne Rooney
Ended the year proving he is the ultimate supersub. Came to prominence in the Everton first-team last season and grabbed his chance with England in the early part of 2003.
Manager
Sir Alex Ferguson: Won the battle of wills with Arsene Wenger to claim the Premiership title and ended the year back on top of the pile once more.