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Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin - Source: Reuters -
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The 08/09 English Premier League season was a rollercoaster of emotions, in part two of Premier League: The year that was, tvnz.co.nz takes a look at some of the most memorable moments
City get cashed up (August)
In the last day of the summer transfer window, former Real Madrid star Robinho was snatched from under the nose of Chelsea to sign for Manchester City for a British record transfer fee of 32.5 million-pounds.
The transfer of the Brazilian came on the same day as they club was bought out by the multi-million-pound Abu Dhabi United group, making the North-West side the richest football club in the world.
Robinho had been linked with a move to Chelsea all summer, with Blues CEO Peter Kenyon telling reporters that club was 'confident' of nabbing the striker - but in the dying seconds of the final transfer day City got their boy.
In an interview with The Guardian, Robinho told the reporter that he was happy to sign for a 'big club' but it was also speculated that Robinho thought he had in fact signed for Chelsea.
Ferguson v Rafa (January)
As Liverpool continued to pile the pressure on Manchester United for their first League title in 19-years, a bitter war of words erupted between two of football's biggest managers.
In scenes reminiscent of Kevin Keegan's infamous outburst, during a Liverpool press conference, Rafael Benitez read from a handwritten statement, accusing Ferguson of destroying the FA's Respect campaign, of moaning over the season's fixture schedule and fearing Liverpool's title challenge.
Ferguson then hit back at Benitez accusing the Spaniard of being 'arrogant' and showing 'contempt' to Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce after Benitez appeared to make hand gestures after Liverpool went 2-0 up - which Ferguson believed was the Spaniard's way of signalling the game was over.
Duff's knee sinks Newcastle (May)
On the final day of the season, three North-East teams were involved a tense battle to avoid the Championship drop. Just one point separated Newcastle and Hull in the relegation battle but a Gareth Barry shot deflected off Newcastle's Damien Duff for the only goal of the game sealed Newcastle's fate in the cruellest of fashion. ( CLICK HERE to check out the goal)
Liverpool remember (April)
On the 15th of April 2009, more than 20,000 people packed Anfield stadium to remember the 96 fathers, sons, sisters, mothers, brothers and daughters who went to a football match and never came back.
It has been 20-years since 96 people where crushed to death at the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough, and though time has moved on, the people of Liverpool continue to fight for justice and will never forget.
Arshavin takes on Anfield (April)
It has been a rollercoaster season for Arsene Wenger's Gunners, but the purchase of pint-sized Russian firecracker Andrei Arshavin in the January transfer window proved to be a revelation for Arsenal.
Just a few days before this match, Arsenal has been knocked-out of the FA Cup by Chelsea, but Arshavin showed just what he was worth on his first trip to the intimidating Anfield in a must-win Liverpool clash.
In a match akin to football ping-pong, Arshavin tore Liverpool's defence to shreds, banging in four sublime goals in a match that ended 4-4
To view all of Arshavin's amazing goals CLICK HERE
Golden Guus revives Chelsea (February)
When Russia international coach Guus Hiddink took over a struggling Chelsea after Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari was sensationally sacked from the London club, just seven months in, no-one was sure what to think.
Hiddink inherited a Blues side who were sitting fourth on the Premier League table; they had suffered their first home defeat in 86 matches at the hands of Liverpool, had lost two league matches and had been knocked out of the Carling Cup by Burnley.
But Hiddink and his golden touch revived Chelsea.
After just four months in charge the Dutchman managed to get Drogba scoring goals again, lead Chelsea to a third-place Premier League finish, the semi-final of the Champions League and an FA Cup final.
United fool EVERYONE (May)
After fooling everyone that there was a chance they might not be
crowed Premier League champions - Manchester United did what they
do best - they bounced back from some tired performances to get the
points when it was needed.
At the beginning of the season, a lacklustre United (sans
ankle-knacked Ronaldo) started their campaign with a 1-1 draw to
Newcastle which saw a new and improved (for a bit) Chelsea become
the bookies early favourites to take out the title.
And while everyone rubbed their eyes as main rivals Liverpool were
flying, United continued to struggle.
But while the title race proved to be one of the closest and most
exciting in years it was United who had the last laugh.
United were crowned Premier League Champions for the eleventh time equalling a record 18 league titles to go on par with bitter rivals Liverpool after drawing with Arsenal on the second to last game of the season.
CLICK HERE
for part one of our most
memorable Premier League moments
What where your best Premier League mo ments? Have your say below!
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