Premier League: Ranking the Top Ten Strikers in 2010-11
In a Premier League season when the stars didn't produce at the level they had in recent years, there were still some memorable and valuable performances from many of the division's best strikers.
Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez topped the Premier League scoring charts with 20 goals each, firing both Manchester United and Manchester City respectively to successful seasons.
Further down the table, the goals of Wolves' Steven Fletcher and Aston Villa's Darren Bent proved crucial in keeping their clubs in the Premier League, while Dirk Kuyt and Peter Odemwingie were two star performers who transformed the campaigns of Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion.
But who was the best of the bunch? Here are the ten best Premier League strikers of 2010-11.
10. Andy Carroll
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Newcastle United fans hoped Andy Carroll would be the newest member of the exclusive club of players adored for their time wearing the revered number nine shirt. The 22 year-old passed up the invite and decided to join Liverpool instead.
Before he left, Carroll played a major role in ensuring Newcastle can look forward to another season of Premier League football this August. The England striker's 11 goals for the club (he scored twice more at Liverpool) helped them establish a decent footing in the league table early on, avoiding late-season drama or a desperate need for points.
A hat-trick in their 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa in only the second game of the season indicated early on Carroll would be more than capable back in the Premier League. He backed it up scoring the winner away at Arsenal in November and later that month scored in a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea.
9. DJ Campbell
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Blackpool's time in the Premier League ended a lot sooner than they would have liked. However, their attacking brand of football and near-fairytale last day survival won the club many admirers.
One of the key participants in all of this was DJ Campbell.
The journeyman striker had only one brief experience of top-flight football before this year, spending a few months with Birmingham City in 2006. Campbell made the most of his second chance after joining Blackpool on a permanent deal in August last year.
Campbell scored 13 goals in a solid return to the top flight, his best single-season tally since playing for non-league Yeading. A double in the season's penultimate game, a victorious 4-3 thriller over Bolton Wanderers, was among the highlights that also included goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
8. Steven Fletcher
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Despite being unable to keep them up, Steven Fletcher showed enough Premier League promise in Burnley's one year stay to earn him another chance with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It took the Scotsman a while to earn a regular starting spot in Mick McCarthy's side, but when he did secure his place in the season's final few months, Fletcher paid his manager back with some hard-working performances and vital goals.
Fletcher scored five of his 10 league goals in the final five games, and while he didn't score against Blackburn on that rollercoaster of a final day, he won the header that set up Stephen Hunt's important goal.
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7. Darren Bent
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Aston Villa paid big money to sign Darren Bent in January, and the job he did to help them retain their Premier League status proved it was a decision worth every penny.
Bent's arrival added some much needed vigor to the struggling side, providing a lively target capable of capitalizing on the creative work of Stewart Downing and Ashley Young. While Bent still isn't truly prolific, his nine goals in Villa colours helped deliver some vital points in steering them away from what looked like a relegation battle.
The England international's previous club, Sunderland, certainly struggled after Bent's departure. He had scored eight in the league and fashioned a burgeoning partnership with Asamoah Gyan. It took some time for Steve Bruce's side to recover after Bent moved on.
6. Javier Hernández
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The man they call Chicharito enjoyed one of the best debut seasons by foreign import in the Premier League. After scoring his first goal against Chelsea in the Community Shield, a peculiar effort off his face, it took Javier Hernández until October to record his first Premier League goal. After that, he never looked back.
Hernández drew rave reviews for his finishing, and in particular his movement and positional sense received high praise. He filled United's need for a true penalty box poacher.
The Mexican worked well with both Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney, and scored 13 times in the league. The most important goal arguably came against Chelsea in May, when Hernández opening the scoring after just one minute in the 2-1 victory that effectively sealed the title.
5. Dirk Kuyt
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Dirk Kuyt is more aptly described as an attacker rather than an outright striker. Whatever his classification, the Dutchman was a reliable fixture in the final third for Liverpool this season.
Kuyt is widely recognised for his superb workrate. He is a willing runner, able to buy time and drive his team forward on the ball, while off the ball his presence means defenders can't sleep even for a second.
As solid as ever in the first half of the season, his performances went up another level after the appointment of Kenny Dalglish. 10 of his 13 league goals came in the New Year, including a hat-trick in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Manchester United.
It was a vital contribution, and carrying the load left by Fernando Torres' departure allowed time for new arrivals Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez to settle in. The Uruguayan in particular proved especially adept at linking up with his new Dutch teammate.
4. Peter Odemwingie
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At West Brom and in the Premier League, Peter Odemwingie may have found the perfect home for his talents. His 15-goal tally was one of the best returns in a single season in his career.
The Nigerian quickly showed himself to be one of the most exciting signings of last summer, scoring some very nicely taken goals.
Odemwingie was never out of the goals for long, and his desire to find chances paid dividends, leading to West Brom staying clear of the drop zone. He scored six in the final eight games as his team safely saw themselves home to a very respectable 11th place.
3. Dimitar Berbatov
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His omission from the Champions League final squad and a lack of starting opportunities tarnished what had been an especially impressive first half of the season for Dimitar Berbatov.
Despite the sour note on which it ended, Berbatov should be proud of the role he played in Manchester United winning their 19th English title.
Especially early on, Berbatov's goals compensated for an out of form Wayne Rooney and kept United in striking distance of a Chelsea side that began the season in scintillating fashion. He also worked well with Hernandez, and proved a good partner for him as he got used to the league.
Sir Alex Ferguson let him a little more off the leash than he had previously been allowed and it was evident in the Bulgarian's form in the early months of the campaign. The freedom allowed him to expose and trouble defenses as he had so often during his time with Tottenham.
The appearances dried up after Christmas, but a hat-trick against Birmingham and a rescue-act brace against Blackpool in consecutive games helped keep United on track after the busy New Year's period.
2. Robin Van Persie
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Fitness problems once again conspired to take games away from Robin Van Persie in the opening months of the season. From November onwards, however, Van Persie was indispensable for Arsenal.
The Dutchman has become one of the senior figures in the Arsenal squad, often captaining the side in the absence of Cesc Fabregas. It is a maturity that has extended to his game, with Van Persie one of the few to take the initiative in some of the Gunners' more dithering moments.
From New Year until the unravelling that followed the Carling Cup final loss to Birmingham, Van Persie was one of the main catalysts for a run of form that had Arsenal looking like genuine title contenders. Post-February, as they struggled for consistency, Van Persie was significant in making sure they didn't fall any further out of the chase, adding to an eventual goal tally of 18.
1. Carlos Tévez
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When he wasn't busy complaining about life in Manchester, Carlos Tevez was busy leading Manchester City to their most successful season in generations.
Despite being joint top scorer of the Premier League with 20 goals, it was not an especially prolific season goal-wise. However, it's not just about the goals with Tevez, as he's a player that links well with, and brings out the best in his team-mates. He was an effective team player throughout the campaign, contributing to one of the division's most effective attacks.
It remains to be seen whether Tevez will remain in Manchester. Should he move on, the City fans will be grateful for the role their talisman played in taking them to third spot and delivering them Champions League football.
Unless he moves to Chelsea...
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