Premier League: Best XI since 2000

Photo: BBC

English football has changed quite a bit since the turn of the century.

Way back in 2000, Kevin Phillips was the most feared striker in the top flight, while Manchester City were plying their trade in the old first division. Manchester United and Arsenal were still in their two-club tussle for supremacy, with Liverpool and Chelsea battling with Leeds United for third place rights.

Now in 2014, the footballing landscape is decidedly different, but the individuals who have lit up the Premier League this past decade will always be remembered, and to fit them all into a best XI remains one of the toughest asks for any footballing fan.

With so many choices, and only 11 slots, I must stress that while some of the players omitted from the final cut are certainly worthy of a place in the side, the parameters restrict us to the 2000-2014 seasons, with some fantastic players ending their careers around half-way through this period.

Here is my offering; a team chock full of some of the greatest players to have graced the Premier League, and certainly one to defy the ages…

Click here to check out my Premier League Best XI since 2000...

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool: The Player Ratings

The Daily Mirror

Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to move up to third place in the Premier League, and consigned Liverpool to consecutive defeats.

Click here for my player ratings - on Soccerlens.com

Chelsea Player Ratings vs Arsenal: Terry and Lampard lead by example

Soccerlens.com

Arsenal and Chelsea played out a cagey 0-0 draw in the driving rain at the Emirates. Both sides created little, and the stalemate was arguably a fair result in the end.

Click here for my Chelsea player ratings - on Soccerlens.com

Sunderland 3-4 Chelsea: Lampard and Hazard on target for Chelsea in tight win

Chelsea overcame a spirited Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, coming out 4-3 winners after a dramatic encounter.

Click here for photos, stats and the match report of the thrilling fixture - on Soccerlens.com

Team of the Weekend + Best Goal: Chelsea & City Boys Dominate

mcfc.co.uk

We are up and running back in the Premier League; and this was a weekend of goals. From the late and dramatic, to the high numbering and clinical; the goals just flew in, as if the players were making up for lost (international break) time!

Arsenal managed to extend their lead at the top of the EPL to four points with a home win over Southampton, after Liverpool could only manage a hard fought 3-3 draw at Everton. 

Chelsea comfortably saw off West Ham, while the result of the weekend came at the Etihad, with City hitting Tottenham for 6!

Meanwhile, Man Utd surrendered three points on the road, as Cardiff grabbed a late, late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw.

Click here for the Football-Talk Team of the Weekend for Gameweek 12 - on Football-Talk.co.uk

Chelsea Player Ratings vs West Ham – Lampard and Oscar Shine

reutersmedia.net

Chelsea cantered to a 3-0 victory against West Ham at Upton Park in the late kick-off at Upton Park. The Blues were always comfortable against their London rivals, with a Frank Lampard double, and an Oscar special giving Chelsea the win.

Click here for my Chelsea Player Ratings - on Soccerlens.com