The 2004–05 season of the FA Premier League began on 14 August 2004 and ended on 15 May 2005. Arsenal were the defending champions after going unbeaten the previous season. Manchester United had won the FA Cup after beating surprise team Millwall who gained a UEFA Cup place. Middlesbrough were also surprise winners of the Carling Cup beating Bolton.

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

^1. Though they failed to qualify for the Champions League as one of the top four English clubs at the end of the season, Liverpool were given a special dispensation to compete as they were defending champions of the European competition. They were, however, forced to enter in the First Qualifying Round. See Liverpool F.C. Champions League qualification 2005–06

^2. Since the finalists of the 2004–05 FA Cup, Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as Chelsea, who won the 2004–05 Carling Cup, were confirmed to qualify for the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League, and the 5th placed team (Liverpool) was moved to the Champions League, the 6th and 7th-placed teams in the Premier League were rewarded with entry to the 2005–06 UEFA Cup.

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Arsenal were the favourites to defend their title but they also had challengers. Manchester United and Chelsea under new management in Jose Mourinho who had just won the Champions League with Porto were expected to challenge. Liverpool also had a new manager in Rafael Benítez who had just won the UEFA Cup with Valencia, and were expected to challenge but maybe not as seriously as the other two. Norwich City, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion were all tipped to go down by the pundits, having all just been promoted from the Nationwide Division 1 (now the Coca-Cola football league championship), along with Everton, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth with the first three experiencing disappointing 17th, 16th and 15th place finishes, and Portsmouth being in their second season. Before the season, three top teams had changes in management with Chelsea replacing Claudio Ranieri with Jose Mourinho who had just won the Champions League, Liverpool replacing Gerrard Houllier with Rafael Benitez who had just won the UEFA Cup and Tottenham ended their long search for a manager appointing Jacques Santini who had just led France to the quarter-finals of Euro 2004. So, everyone was raring to go for the new campaign.

14/08/04 - Matchday 1

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Liverpool FC

Jacques Santini and Rafael Benitez's first games in charge of their clubs ended in a draw at White Hart Lane. For Liverpool, this game was a chance to see if they could justify their title credentials; for Tottenham, it was a chance to try to set a marker for a good season and perhaps a European place. Also, it was a chance to see life after Michael Owen for Liverpool, and his replacement Djibril Cisse produced an Owen-esque finish to wrong-foot Tottenham's new keeper Paul Robinson after good play on the right from Steve Finnan. In the second half, Jermaine Defoe equalised in the second half with 20 minutes remaining when he muscled off the defenders and slotted past Jerzy Dudek. He then got booked for taking his shirt off (a new rule introduced by FIFA). In the dying moments, Jamie Carragher had a chance to give Liverpool the 3 points and a chance to gain his first goal in 5 years for the club, but his header was brilliantly saved by Robinson. That meant that the points were shared on the opening day. Jacques Santini would probably be the more satisfied of the 2 managers after seeing his team coming from behind. [1]

Norwich City 1-1 Crystal Palace

Both teams would have been pleased to get off the mark in their first games back in the FA Premier League. Carrow Road hosted a good game and the result could've gone either way with a draw being a fair result. Robert Green and Julian Speroni were busy in both goals both having to keep out efforts. Sandor Torghelle missed a glorious chance in the opening minutes on his debut for the club. Mathias Svensson produced a good through ball which was latched onto by Darren Huckerby. Mark Hudson was felled by Huckerby but play on was the call by the referee and he blasted past Speroni. Sandor Torghelle missed another good chance when his short range effort was blocked by Robert Green. In the second half, Darren Huckerby almost doubled his tally but his effort was kept out by Speroni. In the end, Palace got a deserved but also underseved equaliser when Wayne Routledge placed a through ball in for Andy Johnson who turned and slotted past Green (this was to be the first of many goals for the Eagles frontman). Green and Speroni saved efforts in the dying minutes to preserve the draw for their teams. A good start for both teams in what was expected to be a tough season for both teams, and up next for Norwich was their first game against one of the big boys Manchester United at Old Trafford.[2]

Blackburn Rovers 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

The other of the 3 promoted teams, West Brom gained a very creditable draw at Blackburn (one of three FA Premier League champions at the time since its creation in 1992). Blackburn under Graeme Souness, since their title success in 1995 has never reached such heights and have also experienced relegation since and were tipped as one of the teams to struggle this season, and that was justified when newly promoted West Brom took the lead in the first half when a free kick from captain Neil Clement took a deflection of Barry Ferguson beating Brad Friedel in the Blackburn goal. Dominic Matteo, (who gave the free kick away) almost made amends when he had a glorious chance, but he blazed the ball over. In the second half, West Brom's defence stayed solid as Dwight Yorke and Paul Dickov failed to find a way through the defence. That was until the 70th minute when Jonathan Stead broke down the left wing, crossed into the box where off all people Craig Short headed past Russell Hoult with the aid of the post. Blackburn then had confidence and would've been disappointed not to have got the 3 points with Tugay and Brett Emerton coming close and in the last minute a Barry Ferguson cross almost found Dwight Yorke's outstretched foot, but he couldn't make contact which meant the game ended in a draw, but both teams would've been equally pleased and disappointed with a point. [3]

Middlesbrough FC 2-2 Newcastle United

A Tyne-Tees derby started the season and it was quite an entertaining game. Steve McLaren and Sir Bobby Robson were the respective managers and both were hoping to have good seasons. Both teams were participating in the UEFA Cup, and Middlesbrough were hoping to gain a European place whilst Newcastle who finished 5th last season were hoping to gain a Champions League place. Newcastle had problems before the game, especially in defence, so Robbie Elliott was rushed into an unusual central defence position and he was lucky when he seemed to handball in the first minute. Newcastle took a surprising lead when Aaron Hughes slotted a neat ball which Chris Riggott should've cut out. He didn't and Craig Bellamy received the ball, rounded Mark Schwarzer and placed the ball into an empty net. In the second half, Steve McLaren tried to endure some confidence into the team by introducing Szilard Nemeth and Stewart Downing as second half subs. Downing had a shot almost after just coming on which produced a good save from the scrambling Shay Given, and then he latched onto a Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink cross and beat Given. The Irish goalkeeper then produced an amazing save to deny Gaizka Mendieta and that miss could've proved costly when Alan Shearer who had a quiet game by his standards, produced a good run. He passed to young striker Shola Ameobi and he was hacked down by Bolo Zenden in the area. Referee Steve Bennett awarded the penalty which Alan Shearer thrashed into the roof of the net. But the drama wasn't over there as Middlesbrough pushed for a late equaliser and it came in stoppage time when Zenden beat Kieron Dyer, crossed in to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at the far post to head home to make it 2-2. Although Newcastle defenders claimed that the Dutch striker had used his hand to score. In the end, an enthralling game ended in a draw which in the end was a fair result. [4]

Bolton Wanderers 4-1 Charlton Athletic

Both teams would be hoping to improve on last season's respectful positions, with the home side finishing 8th, and the away side finishing 7th the previous season. Both teams were hoping to put up their European credentials. But it just looked like one team would be on today's showing. Kevin Davies was denied by Dean Kiely after just 30 seconds to show the tough day The Addicks would have. Shaun Bartlett fouled Kevin Davies and Jay-Jay Okocha, who had gone the previous season without scoring, scored an early contender for goal of the season with a rasping 30-yard free kick which left Dean Kiely clutching thin air. It was 2 shortly afterwards when Okocha turned from scorer to provider as his precise through ball found Henrik Pedersen who held off Luke Young and slotted past Kiely. Kevin Lisbie then missed a glorious chance for the visitors when from 6 yards out, his shot was blocked by Jussi Jaaskelainen. Charlton improved in the second half but couldn't take their chances, with Shaun Bartlett and debutant Danny Murphy missing good opportunities, and that allowed Bolton to seal the game when Jay-Jay Okocha scored an incredible second when he teased the Charlton defenders before unleashing a powerful drive past the helpless Dean Kiely. Shaun Bartlett then cleared an Okocha free kick off the line to prevent the Nigerian an amazing hat-trick of long range strikes. Eventually, Athletic got on the score sheet when a Danny Murphy free kick was headed home by Kevin Lisbie. But it was too late for a comeback and in the end Pedersen scored his second of the day when Gary Speed played him through and the Danish striker did the rest. An amazing performance from Bolton and if they could carry on like this, then a European place was surely not out of their reach. As for Charlton, they would have to improve on this performance, if they were to put forward their European credentials. [5]

Aston Villa 2-0 Southampton FC

Going into this game at Villa Park, both teams had ambitions for the season. Aston Villa, who despite finishing 6th last season were unfortunately not in the UEFA Cup after good cup runs from Middlesbrough and Millwall, were hoping to grab a Champions League or UEFA Cup place. As for Southampton, after continuously flirting with relegation in 1990s, they had improved in the past few seasons and were hoping for another safe position in the league this season. It was the Midlands side that started the brightest when Darius Vassell set up Gareth Barry who missed the target from 12 yards. But, moments later, Villa took the lead after Jlloyd Samuel crossed for Gareth Barry who flicked onto Lee Hendrie whose shot was blocked. But that presented an opportunity for Darius Vassell who hit home to make it 1-0 to the home team. Antti Niemi stood solid in the Saints goal when he made some good saves from Carlton Cole and Peter Whittingham. It was then Thomas Sorensen's turn to make a good save after he made a superb block from Mikael Nillson's shot. Southampton were made to pay for the miss when Darius Vassell's neat ball was latched onto by loanee Carlton Cole and the man on loan from Chelsea held off Claus Lundekvam and beat Antti Niemi. In the second half, there was an improvement from Southampton as David Prutton's sharp effort was well blocked by Gavin McCann and then Kevin Phillips' long range drive was saved and then held by his former Sunderland teammate Thomas Sorensen. In the dying minutes, to prove the poor luck, Southampton substitute Fabrice Fernandes' shot struck teammate Phillips when it looked like the ball was surely on its way in the back of the net. A good result for the The Villans, whilst Southampton didn't perform to bad, they needed to luck to go their way, or they would endure another difficult season, like the ones they haven't been accustomed to in recent seasons. [6]

Manchester City 1-1 Fulham FC

In the 2003-04 Premier League season, Man City finished in a disappointing 16th, whilst Fulham finished a pleasing 9th, when City would've expected to be where Fulham finished and vice versa. Manchester City under Kevin Keegan were hoping to finish near or in the European places and not another relegation threatened season whilst Fulham were hoping to have another comfortable finish. It was City who started the brightest and especially when Shaun Wright-Phillips whose bright runs down the right set up many attacks but the Fulham defence stood firm. That was until the 28th minute when Danny Mills' throw was flicked on by Antoine Sibierski and Robbie Fowler finished past Edwin Van der Sar. In the second half, after barely having an attack, Fulham grabbed a surprising equaliser. Claus Jensen crossed to the young Dutch striker Collins John, who turned and scored past David James. Edwin Van der Sar was up to the challenge from testing shots from Claudio Reyna and Richard Dunne. He then denied a point blank header from Sibierski and shortly afterwards, James then smartly denied Claus Jensen to keep the score at 1-1 at full time. However, Kevin Keegan said after the game, he believed his side deserved 3 points. [7]

Portsmouth FC 1-1 Birmingham City

Portsmouth were the only promoted side to stay up last season and finished in a comfortable 13th place finish and were hoping to finish in a comfortable position again this season. As for Birmingham a good 10th place finish last season was very good, and a good mid-table finish was their hope again. And the Brummies scored the opening goal at Fratton Park. Richard Hughes fouled Damien Johnson and the resulting free kick was taken by Robbie Savage, who curled his kick around the wall and past Shaka Hislop. However, Portsmouth got the equaliser 6 minutes later when Stan Lazaridis was adjudged to have pushed Steve Stone and home debutant David Unsworth converted the penalty past keeper Maik Taylor.

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Scorer	Goals	Team
Thierry Henry	29	Arsenal
Andy Johnson	21	Crystal Palace
Frank Lampard	13	Chelsea
Robert Pires	13	Arsenal
Aiyegbeni Yakubu	13	Portsmouth
Andrew Cole	12	Fulham
Peter Crouch	12	Southampton
Eiður Guðjohnsen	12	Chelsea

The PFA Player's Player of the year award was won by Chelsea captain John Terry. His teammate Frank Lampard came second.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was the recipient for this award.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard won this award for the first time.

Goalkeeper — Petr Čech
Defenders — Gary Neville, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole
Midfielders — Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Arjen Robben, Shaun Wright-Phillips
Srikers — Theirry Henry, Andy Johnson

Chelsea star Frank Lampard won this award. His teammate John Terry finished second, while Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was third.

Chelsea's midfielder Frank Lampard won the award for his brilliant performances which won Chelsea their first Premier League title.

Arsenal striker Theirry Henry won the award for the third time in his career with a impressive 29 goals.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech won it for the first time as he set a remarkable record of 10 consecutive clean sheets, as Chelsea won the title.

Chelsea manager José Mourinho won the award in his first season in England.

The Fair Play Award is merit given to the team who has been the most sporting and best behaved team. Arsenal won the award for the second year in a row, ahead of Tottenham.^[1]

These teams were promoted from the First Division at the start of the season:

• Norwich City
• West Bromwich Albion
• Crystal Palace

These teams were relegated to the Football League Championship at the end of the season:

• Crystal Palace
• Norwich City
• Southampton

Chelsea completed their first season under the management of José Mourinho with only their second league title, and their first in 50 years. The success was completed with a Premiership record of 95 points (29 wins, 8 draws and 1 defeat) and a unique defensive record of just 15 league goals conceded. Key players in this triumph were goalkeeper Petr Čech, midfielders Frank Lampard and Claude Makélélé, defender John Terry, striker Eiður Guðjohnsen and young, nimble winger Arjen Robben. This was also the most expensive team ever created in England with an estimated 250 million pounds spent on players.

Although Chelsea led the Premiership virtually all season long, they faced stiff competition from eventual runners-up Arsenal and third-placed Manchester United—who also achieved Champions League qualification. The title seemed to be heading towards Highbury once again, after they continued their unbeaten run to 49 matches and were leading Chelsea by five points and Manchester United by eleven points. However on 24 October Arsenal's unbeaten run ended when they lost 2–0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Arsenal's form then dropped dramatically as Chelsea continued in great form and Manchester United kickstarted their campaign, at one stage going into second position after defeating Arsenal 4–2 at Highbury on 1 February (their first team home defeat since Leeds in 2003). However with Chelsea steamrolling the league with their powerful defensive style, United's form dipped after drawing at home to Blackburn and being defeated by Norwich City; this allowed Arsenal to pass United, taking second place.

The fourth Champions League place went to Everton, who had been among the relegation favourites after the early season sale of striker Wayne Rooney (PFA Young Player of the Year) to Manchester United. Fifth-placed Liverpool would normally have qualified for the UEFA Cup, but eventually were allowed by UEFA to defend their Champions League title, despite finishing outside the top four. The next two teams, Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough, achieved UEFA Cup qualification as both FA Cup finalists and League Cup winner had qualified for the Champions League via their league position. Liverpool's entry into the Champions League did not affect either Bolton Wanderers' or Middlesbrough's UEFA Cup entry as they both achieved their best finishes in the Premiership to date.

On 9 June, UEFA allowed Liverpool to defend their Champions League title, forfeiting their UEFA Cup slot given to the fifth placed team. They had to enter in the first qualifying round, where they defeated Welsh league champions TNS, and then in the next round defeated Lithuanian champions FBK Kaunas before the start of the 2005-06 league season.

Going into the final round of matches, no team was assured of relegation. In each of the last three weekends of the season, the team that was bottom of the table at the start of the weekend finished it outside the drop zone. The final round of the season on 15 May started with West Bromwich Albion on the bottom, Southampton and Crystal Palace one point clear, and Norwich City in the last safe spot and two points from the bottom. For the first time since the advent of the current Premier League in 1992–1993, no club was assured of relegation going into the final day. The final matchday was publicised by Sky Sports as 'Survival Sunday', with accompanying promotional material advertising the last matchday like a title fight or epic movie blockbuster.

West Brom, who had been bottom of the table and eight points from safety at Christmas, did their part by defeating Portsmouth at home 2–0. Norwich, the only side to have their fate completely in their own hands, lost 6–0 at Fulham and went down. Southampton lost 2–1 at home to Manchester United. Palace, away to Charlton, were leading 2–1 after 71 minutes, but with eight minutes to go, the Addicks' Jonathan Fortune equalised to relegate the Eagles back to The Championship. Thus, West Brom stayed up, and changed history, becoming the first club in Premiership history to avoid relegation after being bottom of the table at Christmas.

At the end of 90 minutes in all 4 matches, Sky cameras focused on West Brom's ground, The Hawthorns, as confirmation of other results began to filter through. Once the realisation dawned on the players and fans that survival had been achieved, a mass pitch invasion was sparked, with huge celebrations. The Portsmouth fans in the away end of the ground joined in the celebrations and party atmosphere—as through losing 2-0 to West Brom, they had 'helped' relegate arch-rivals Southampton. Also, the defeat itself mattered little to Portsmouth, as they would be unable to improve on their 16th position due to 15th-placed Blackburn Rovers' greater points tally.

18th place in the final Premiership table went to Crystal Palace, who drew 2–2 with Charlton Athletic on the final day of the season after being eight minutes away from safety. This made way for West Bromwich Albion's Premiership survival. 19th place went to Norwich City, whose fate was confirmed by a 6–0 hammering at Fulham on the final day—a result which underlined the frailty of their defence, which had leaked 77 goals in 38 Premiership games. Bottom place went to Southampton, who lost 2-1 at home to Manchester United and were relegated after 27 years in the top flight.

Sunderland, who finished top of the 2004–05 Coca-Cola League Championship, were the first team to secure promotion to the Premiership for the 2005-06 season. The second promotion place was secured on the final day of the season by Championship runners-up Wigan Athletic, in only their 27th season of league football. The third promotion place went to West Ham United, who defeated Preston North End in the Championship playoff final.

• Blackburn Rovers appointed Wales boss Mark Hughes as Manager in September at the departure of Graeme Souness to Newcastle United.
• Chelsea replaced Claudio Ranieri with UEFA Champions league winning coach, José Mourinho.
• Liverpool appointed Valencia's UEFA Cup winning coach Rafael Benítez as successor to Gerard Houllier.
• Manchester City parted with manager Kevin Keegan in late March and replaced him with first team coach, Stuart Pearce.
• Newcastle United sacked manager Sir Bobby Robson at the end of August and replaced him with Blackburn's Graeme Souness.
• Portsmouth parted company with Harry Redknapp in November and replaced him with executive director Velimir Zajec. He was also replaced by Alain Perrin in March.
• Southampton parted company with Paul Sturrock after less than 6 months and was replaced by Steve Wigley. Wigley was sacked in November and was replaced by Harry Redknapp.
• Tottenham Hotspur appointed former French national coach, Jacques Santini as the new manager in the pre-season. He left in November, citing personal problems, and was replaced by assistant Martin Jol.
• West Bromwich Albion sacked boss Gary Megson in October and replaced him with former England skipper and Manchester United legend Bryan Robson.

• 2004–05 in English football

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