Best of the EPL: Midseason Awards

Well folks, we're now more than midway through the EPL season.

The title race has started, and much like last season, this one may go right down to the wire.

Arsenal are currently leading the pack with a two-point cushion over Manchester United. Given Liverpool's languid performance and Chelsea's case of "pick-me-up" syndrome, the Gunners and Red Devils look set to battle their way to the top of the podium. 

Before they do, though, let's rank and rate the teams and their players according to their displays through 20 games...

 Best Team: Arsenal FC

As a United fan, it hurts in the very flesh of my heart to hail Arsenal, but their youthful display of attacking and vibrant football has been too impressive to ignore.

You won't find any egotistic players on the club, or any player with bags of individual honours. Collectively, though, Arsenal are the team to watch out for in the future.

Game by game, Arsene Wenger is proving his doubters wrong. Good things really do come in small packages.

Honorable Mention: Manchester United FC

Best Manager: Arsene Wenger, Arsenal FC

Though he doesn't put on spectacles these days, he is much the same Professor Wenger for me as he was 10 years ago. 

Wenger has his own doctrine of football, doesn't make hasty decisions, and has the tonic to boost his players' spirits when they suffer setbacks.

His latest mission is to build a title-winning side with players of an average age of 21. Much to the distress of his counterparts, he's on course to get the job done.

Honourable mention: David Moyes (Everton FC)

Best Striker: Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsenal FC and Fernando Torres, Liverpool FC (tie)

Their goal tallies say it all about these players' stupendous performances. 

Grit, aggression, skills,  savvy, and speed—these two have all the attributes that a perfect striker should. Adebayor (11 goals) and Torres (9) are the top scorers for their respective clubs, and are competing with Cristiano Ronaldo (13) for the EPL Golden Boot.

Honourable mention: Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United FC)

Best Midfielder: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United FC

Some of you Arsenal fans will cry for Cesc Fabregas instead of the Portuguese Wizard.

Don't get me wrong—Fabregas has been the player of the season for Arsenal, and is anchoring his team's title hopes. But look at Ronaldo.

As a midfielder, he's the top scorer in the league. He has a fantastic nose for the goal, flabbergasting freestyle moves, and superb two-footed ability.

I don't see that in any other player in the league. 

Honourable mention: Joe Cole (Chelsea FC), Alexander Hleb (Arsenal FC)

Best Defender: Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United FC

At 23, Vidic has coupled with Rio Ferdinand to stymie the onslaughts of United opponents. The 11 goals conceded in 20 games is a testament of this guy's defensive aptitude.

Honourable mention: William Galas (Arsenal FC), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool FC) 

Best Goalkeeper: Robert Green, West Ham United FC

A surprise pick—but the fact that West Ham's opponents have missed five penalties with Green in net convinced me to give him the nod.

He's versatile, committed, and has a good rapport with West Ham's defence

Honourable mention: Manuel Almunia (Arsenal FC)

Best Goal: Nani vs Tottenham Hotspur FC (1-0)

United registered their first goal of the season at home against a stubborn Spurs side, who had to curse their fortune after failing to get a win at Old Trafford in the previous two seasons.

The game was headed for a third consecutive stalemate, until at 65 minutes new signing Nani fired a 30-yard screamer that Paul Robinson didn't have a prayer of stopping. 

Nani's goal against Boro, Adebayor's sideways flip against Spurs, and Abu Diaby's belter against Derby County also deserve mention.

Best Partnership: Rooney-Tevez, Manchester United FC

Many football pundits raised their eyebrows when Sir Alex brought Carlos Tevez—a veritable Wayne Rooney clone—to Old Trafford.

Tevez's first few games with Rooney as his strike partner ended in disappointment, but soon they developed up a great chemistry. Together, the duo have scored 11 goals for United, and the best is yet to come.

Best Youngster: Oliviera Anderson (Manchester United)

The 19-year-old Brazilian whiz-kid may soon become the anchor of United's midfield.

Anderson's finesse is unquestionable. His passing, runs, and tackles have been spot on. Though he's yet to score a goal for the Red Devils, he's a promising prospect.

Honourable mention: Stephen Ireland (Manchester City FC), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa FC)

Best Signing: Fernando Torres, Liverpool FC (from Atletico Madrid)

Nicknamed El Nino, this Spanish stalwart has been money well spent on for Rafael Benitez.

£20 million was the largest amount Liverpool had paid for any player in their history, but Torres' 15 goals this season have paid for themselves.

 Honourable Mention: Roque Santa Cruz (seven goals), £3 million from Bayern Munich

So there you have it—my best of EPL after 20 games.

Before I conclude, I must say that I'm entitled to my own opinion, and so are you all.

I beg to disagree if your choices are different from mine.