The 2004/2005 FA Premier League Season opened on August 14th/15th. Over 10 months, 20 teams contested the Barclays Premiership. In the end, a new-look Chelsea wrestled the trophy from Arsenal's grasp. The Gunners finished in second place while Manchester United could only finish in third.

For details of the 2005/2006 Barclays Premiership Season, check out our new Premier League page.

The 20 Teams who competed for the 2004/2005 Barclays Premiership Trophy were as follows:

Check the fixtures schedule at the official Barclays Premiership site.

KEY DATES - 2004/2005 FA Premier League/Barclays Premiership:

August 8, 2004 (Sunday, 15:00 BST)- FA Community Shield, Arsenal v Manchester United, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

August 14/15, 2004 (Saturday/Sunday) - 2004/2005 FA Premier League Season kicks off

August 23, 2004 (w/c) - 2004/2005 Carling Cup 1st Round games for Northern and Southern sections

November 13, 2004 (Saturday) - 2004/2005 FA Cup 1st Round Proper

December 4, 2004 (Saturday) - 2004/2005 FA Cup 2nd Round Proper

January 8, 2005 (Saturday) - 2004/2005 FA Cup 3rd Round Proper

January 29, 2005 (Saturday) - 2004/2005 FA Cup 4th Round Proper

February 19, 2005 (Saturday) - 2004/2005 FA Cup 5th Round Proper

March 6, 2005 (Saturday) - 2004/2005 FA Cup 6th Round Proper (the Quarter-Finals)

April 16, 2005 (Sunday) - 2004/2005 FA Cup Semi-Finals

May 15, 2005 (Sunday) - Final Day of the 2004/2005 FA Premier League Season

May 21, 2005 (Saturday - Kickoff: 15:00 BST) - 2004/2005 FA Cup Final: Arsenal v Manchester United, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

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The 20 Clubs: Nicknames and Home Grounds

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Unbeaten Arsenal are crowned Premier League Champions!

What an understatement to say Arsenal had a fantastic season. In the end, they won it at a canter and left the big boys (i.e. Manchester United and Chelsea) in their wake. What a way to win the title back too -- with an unbeaten run in the Premier League. And they were on their way to a treble until Man Utd and Chelsea ended their hopes in the FA Cup and Champions League, respectively.

Man Utd were looking good at the beginning of the season. But they lost some key players (Rio Ferdinand ended his season in January) and everything started going horribly wrong...losses to Chelsea in November, Wolves in January and Middlesbrough in February all took their toll. After a cruel exit from the Champions League to a lucky Porto, Man City rubbed salt in the wounds by thumping the Red Devils 4-1 in March.

But Man Utd were not down and out. They may have ended the season behind both Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premiership table, but they were determined not to hang their heads. Another FA Cup win (they beat Millwall 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium) did the trick and lifted the side to end the season on a high.

There were some disappointing teams in 2003/04. Liverpool, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa all failed to make an impact on the Premiership. Meanwhile, the true underachievers of 2003/04 were Leeds United who suffered throughout and ended up with the prize of relegation to the First Division. 

The so-called minnows of the Premiership, teams like Birmingham City, Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers made everyone stand up and take notice of their fighting spirits. With such good managers (Steve Bruce, Alan Curbishley, Sam Allardyce), you wouldn't expect any less.

So it's well done to Arsenal! But watch out for a rejuvenated Man Utd, Chelski, Tottenham and Liverpool. Along with Sir Alex Ferguson, Premiership new boys, Jose Mourinho, Jacques Santini and Rafael Benitez will all be up for a battle when the 2004/2005 Premier League season kicks off in August 2004. 

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