2011: January to June

Another year of excitement, tears, happiness and emotion has passed by. 2011 saw the comings and goings of several managers, the return of King Kenny to Anfield as well as a new record transfer fee for an English striker.

2011 started with a bang as Roy Hodgson lost his job at Anfield just a week into the New Year, meaning the return of Kenny Dalglish to Anfield, twenty years after he originally departed the hot seat. It wasn’t to be the only headlines breaking from Merseyside that month as Dalglish later spent a staggering £35 Million Pound on Newcastle front man Andy Carroll. Luis Suarez seemed steel at a cost of £20 Million; however, it was the departure of Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50 Million raised eyebrows across Europe and England.

Chris Hughton was outrageously axed by Newcastle despite their inspiring start to the Premier League Season, Alan Pardew eventually replacing the axed boss.

February saw the first Cup Final of the season as Birmingham and Arsenal met at Wembley with the Gunners looking to lift the first of the four possibly trophies that they could win. Unfortunately for the Gunners, Birmingham had other ideas as on loan Striker Obafemi Martins struck late on to gift the Blues the Carling Cup.

March started just as badly as February ended for Arsenal as they exited the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona while FIFA President Sepp Blatter banned the new craze of snoods. As March grew older, so did Arsenal’s hopes of any silverware as they crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester United. England overcome a resilient Wales team at the Millennium stadium 2-0 to all but secure qualification to Euro 2012. Meanwhile Tottenham’s Champions League adventure ended with a resounding defeat to Real Madrid.

April saw Wayne Rooney land himself in trouble with the FA after his foul mouthed rant down a TV camera after his goal against West Ham, while former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was to suffer his first home defeat in nine years as Real Madrid lost 1-0 at home to Sporting Gijon.

May saw Manchester City win their first trophy under Roberto Mancini as they beat Stoke City to lift the FA Cup, however it was rivals Manchester United that lifter their 19^th Premier League. In an exciting survival Sunday, Wolves and Blackburn shared an entertaining 3-3 draw which meant Blackpool, West Ham and Carling Cup winners Birmingham City all suffered relegation.

Manchester United couldn’t gain revenge for their Champions League defeat in 2009 to Barcelona as yet again the Spanish side showed their dominance with a convincing 3-1 at Wembley in the Champions League Final. 

June started with England again looking over their shoulders for qualification to Euro 2012 after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Switzerland at Wembley left Capello’s side needing four points from their remaining two fixtures. Mark Hughes sensationally walked out of Fulham expecting to be named the new Villa boss, however Randy Lerner instead chose cross city rival boss Alex McLeish to take charge. In further manager merry go round antics, Chelsea paid a massive £13 Million to Porto for the services of their boss, 34 year old Andres Villas Boas.

That was the first half of 2011, I will post the second half tomorrow but while you wait for that why not share your best moment in football during 2011?