http://www.eurosport.com/football/features/2007/sport_sto1041766.shtmlWith the first half of the Premiership campaign already behind us, it is time to look at the stars and stinkers of the season so far.
Best team
1- Manchester United
Ever thought a nation would be willing on red-faced Fergie and his not-so-loveable band of millionaires? Us neither. But that shows how the landscape of English football has changed since the arrival on these shores of Roman Abramovich - 'Anyone but Chelsea' is now the motto of many fans and. While the champions still have the better squad, thank goodness we've got a proper title race.
2- Portsmouth
3- Reading
Best player
1- Gareth Barry, Aston Villa
An unconventional choice, admittedly, but no player has had as much praise lavished on him by the eurosport.com team as the Villa captain. Operating at left back or in midfield, he has been just as responsible as Martin O'Neill for the club's upturn in fortunes. Has been overlooked for an England recall while the likes of Kieran Richardson and Stewart Downing are picked - inexcusable.
2- Didier Drogba, Chelsea
3- Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United
Best manager
1- Steve Coppell, Reading
Low-key and resoundingly averse to the limelight, Steve Coppell's unassuming persona has failed to obscure the job he has done for Reading. The 'law' that promoted clubs must spend to succeed has been rubbished as the Royals have carved out a top-half berth. Coppell's stalwarts are footballing misfits such as Ibrahima Sonko and Kevin Doyle, whose hunger for success has put the rest of the Premiership to shame.
2- Sam Allardyce, Bolton Wanderers
3- Martin O'Neill, Aston Villa
Surprise package
1- Nwankwo Kanu, Portsmouth
Many terms have been used to describe the languid Nigerian, but 'goal machine' has not been among them until this season. But the former Arsenal man has been on fire, leading the scoring charts for much of the season and spearheading Portsmouth's assault on Europe. Honourable mentions to Doyle and Jonathan Woodgate, who has always had the talent but appears finally to have put his injuries behind him.
2- Kevin Doyle, Reading
3- Jonathan Woodgate, Middlesbrough
Worst team
1- West Ham
Plenty of competition in this department, but the award has to go to the unhappy Hammers, who pressed the self-destruct button when they signed Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano on deadline day. Cue dressing-room destabilisation, a protracted takeover battle and a horrendous slump towards the drop zone just months after an FA Cup final appearance. Alan Curbishley still has time to pull them clear, though.
2- Charlton
3- Middlesbrough
Worst player
1- Khalid Boulahrouz, Chelsea
An inadequate replacement for William Gallas, the poor Dutchman has become a symbol of Chelsea's defensive struggles. Equally hapless at centre back or on the right, he has been destroyed by a succession of tricky forwards, most notably Tottenham's Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane. Behind him the shaky Henrique Hilario does not help - Blues fans are praying for the return of Petr Cech and John Terry.
2- Jose Reina, Liverpool
3- Souleymane Diawara, Charlton
Biggest disappointment
1- Andriy Shevchenko
Another Chelsea flop - you would hardly think the Blues were on course for another 90-point haul, would you? But such are the expectations when you can splash out £30 million on the man widely acknowledged as Europe's most deadly marksman. But a paltry return of three goals in 18 Premiership outings has seen him dropped from the Chelsea side, while Didier Drogba goes from strength to strength.
2- Javier Mascherano
3- Carlos Tevez
