Top 5 EPL matches of the 2011-12 season

As we near the end of another year, and with the 2012-2013 season nicely shaping up, with Manchester United leading their nearest rivals and champions Manchester City by six points and ahead of the chasing pack by quite some distance, we take a look back on some of the best EPL matches this year, though only from the last season. I might have missed out on some others but I’ve felt these are above higher on the pecking order. Here goes:

Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham

This London derby always has some spice in it. Goals from Adebayor and Louis Saha put the Spurs ahead at the break, but that perhaps provided the impetus for a stunning Arsenal comeback. Goals from RVP and Bacary Sagna put Arsenal right back into the match, before Theo Walcott single-handedly put the Spurs on the wrong end of the scoreline with two sublime goals. A classical EPL match which deserves mention to start the list.

Queens Park Rangers 3-2 Liverpool

Who could ever forget Sebastian Coates’ scissors kick in this match? Soon after that, Liverpool’s Dutchman Dirk Kuyt doubled Liverpool’s lead and with 13 minutes to go, and there seemed to be only one winner. However. the Reds from Merseyside were struck by a 13 minute wonder attack from Rangers. It was Shaun Derry who opened QPR’s account before former Red Djibril Cisse equalised and then, in the dying minutes of the game, Jamie Mackie’s header gave QPR a much needed win which helped them claw out of the relegation zone. Surely one of the talking points of last season.

Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United

It was scripted to be a thrilling evening for the Stamford Bridge faithful when the Blues stormed to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Mata, David Luiz and an own goal by Jonny Evans. However, Manchester United have scripted comebacks from nowhere in the past and it is maybe in their genes to do so. Rooney converted two controversial penalties before the Mexican livewire Javier Hernandez – or Chicharito, as he is fondly called – rescued a point for the Red Devils from a stage at where it looked certain that three points were going to Chelsea. One of the best matches of the season.

Manchester United 4-4 Everton

It’s near impossible to beat the Red Devils at their sacred haven in Old Trafford. But it looked possible when Maroune Fellaini put the Blues from Merseyside just a goal behind to make it 3-2 after a thrilling first half which saw Jelavic and Rooney helping themselves on to the scoresheet with dazzling goals. Rooney then put United further ahead and it seemed like all three points were going to the home team, with the score reading 4-2. However, it was Jelavic again who punished the sorry United defence to make it 4-3; and in the dying minutes of the game, South African star Steven Pienaar split the title chase wide open to make it 4-4. United lost their lead at the top of the table and it could well have been the match that ensured they didn’t finish ahead of City in the end.

Manchester City 3-2 Queens Park Rangers

This was the last game of the 2011-12 season and arguably the best of the lot. Manchester City were trailing by a goal (1-2) at the end of the regulation ninety minutes,when the fourth official signalled four minutes of added time; it looked like United’s noisy neighbours had thrown away their chance to be the champions. But supersub Edin Dzeko’s header levelled the scores with two minutes still on the clock, and this was opportunity enough for Aguero, their summer signing, to win the title for City with virtually the last kick of the match. Surely a match which both sets of Manchester fans will find hard to forget.