Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
The 2005-06 English Premier League title was won by Chelsea, retaining their crown in convincing fashion.
Manchester United were their closest challengers, pushing Jose Mourinho’s side further than they had been in the previous campaign, but the Blues always appeared in control and ended the season on 91 points, eight clear of United in second.
CHANGES
Chelsea were once again making the most of Roman Abramovich’s lavish spending as they continued to build one of the finest squads in Europe. Added to a roster which had already routed the opposition the previous season were Michael Essien, a £24.5m capture from Lyon, and a host of other key signings, including Shaun Wright-Phillips (£21m from Manchester City), Asier del Horno and Maniche, while Hernan Crespo returned from a loan spell at AC Milan to further bolster the Blues’ attacking options.
Manchester United carefully and quietly made two signings which would be instrumental to their future successes, in the form of centre-back Nemanja Vidic and the experienced Edwin van der Sar, who arrived from Fulham.
As for Arsenal, Juventus finally got their man, ending their long pursuit of Patrick Vieira by securing his signature for a fee of £14m. The Gunners, heading into their final season at their Highbury ground, responded by purchasing the young but talented Theo Walcott from Southampton, as well as Emmanuel Adebayor & Abou Diaby from Ligue 1. Alexander Hleb also joined as Arsene Wenger refreshed his attacking midfield alternatives.
But arguably one of the most eye-catching deal came in the North East. Michael Owen had spent just one season at Real Madrid, but Newcastle United decided to exceed the fee they had spent on Alan Shearer nine years prior to bring the striker back to England, parting with £18m in the process.
The promoted sides were Sunderland, winning the league in style, Wigan, who would compete in the top flight for the first time, and West Ham, who snuck in via the play-offs.
