Sports Mole's Team of the Season

By Jack Prescott, Rugby Editor | 13 May 2012

After Sunday's dramatic finale, the 2011-12 Premier League will go down as one of the most exhilarating in history. Sports Mole gives you its Team of the Season.

After Sunday's dramatic finale, the 2011-12 Premier League will go down as one of the most exhilarating in history.

The race for the title took innumerable twists as Manchester City snatched the crown from Manchester United with virtually the last kick of the campaign.

Meanwhile, the battle to avoid the drop had six teams scrapping for their lives at the wrong end of the table.

Wigan Athletic yet again proved everyone wrong, while we had to bid a sad farewell to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers.

Having just about got our breath back, Sports Mole gives you its Team of the Season.

Joe Hart - Man City
The 25-year-old has grown into the best goalkeeper in the Premier League this season with a number of displays showing the kind of commitment and honesty that has made him England's number one.

Leighton Baines - Everton
The full-back has marauded up and down flanks across the country this term as he helped the ever-impressive Toffees finish above rivals Liverpool for the first time since 2005.
Vincent Kompany - Man City
The City captain has been an immense presence at the back for the newly-crowned Premier League champions. He was deservedly recognised for his contribution to his team's success by being awarded the Barclays Premier League Player of the Year. Also, who can forget that vital winner in the derby?
Fabricio Coloccini - Newcastle
Despite their Champions League hopes falling at the last hurdle, the Magpies have had their Argentine rock to thank in part for their heady climb up the table. Composed, reliable, ruthless - it would be hard to keep Coloccini out of most teams.
Kyle Walker - Spurs
The Tottenham youngster has given himself a great chance of being named in England's starting lineup for their Euro 2012 opener against France next month. A ferocious competitor, Walker also has the skill and athleticism to make him a formidable force out wide.

Leon Britton - Swansea
Swansea's debut season in England's top flight has been nothing short of miraculous, and they have the wily Britton to thank for the majority of their plaudits. The catalyst for their fluid passing game, the 29-year-old is a midfielder of the highest order.
David Silva - Man City
He may have experienced a dip in form midway through the campaign, but the World Cup winner has lit up the Premier League following his summer move from Valencia. His incisive vision in the final third is worth 20 goals a season in itself.
Paul Scholes - Man Utd
Coming out of retirement was a shock to many, but Scholes's return to the United starting lineup began a run which so very nearly clinched the Red Devils a 20th league title. What was remarkable was that six months out of the game seemed to have no affect on him whatsoever.

Robin van Persie - Arsenal
Goals, goals, goals. Thirty, to be exact. If ever a striker single-handedly propelled his side to the upper reaches of the Premier League table it was Robin van Persie during this recent campaign. With a left foot as precise as a surgeon's scalpel yet as powerful as a workman's drill, the Dutchman has piqued the interest of many a top European club.
Wayne Rooney - Man Utd
United's main man will be disappointed not to have ended the season with a medal, but he can take pride in his 28 goals for the Reds. Amidst all of the madness of the league it is often easy to forget what a player 'Wazza' is, but England will yet again be relying on him in Poland and the Ukraine. At least after the first two games...
Sergio Aguero - Man City
Some strikers find it difficult to adapt to their first season in English football, but Sergio 'Kun' Ageuro made such a thought look daft. But forget all of that. He scored arguably the most famous goal in the Blues' history to secure them a first title in 44 years.

Honourable mentions:

Tim Krul - Newcastle
Jonny Evans - Man Utd
Martin Skrtl - Liverpool
Clint Dempsey - Fulham
Cheick Tiote - Newcastle
Scott Parker - Spurs
Yaya Toure - Man City
Marouane Fellaini - Everton
Papiss Cisse - Newcastle
Grant Holt - Norwich
Nikica Jelavic - Everton