Bolton Wanderers
 Position: 7th
Points: 56

Sam Allardyce before his shock resignation had established a team with real fight and desire at the Reebok Stadium, and credit has to be given with the work he’s done on a shoestring budget.

The Reebok was buzzing at the start of this season with the quite remarkable coup of the Incredible Sulk, otherwise known as Nicholas Anelka, from Turkish side Fenerbahce. Having played among the best in Europe at PSG, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool, the moody maestro’s capture provided the spark in Bolton’s ranks,

The Frenchman was paired alongside the abrasive Kevin Davies and the equally controversial Senegalese El-Hadji Diouf in Bolton’s three-pronged attack, with Allardyce looking to bring European football back to the Reebok.

Anelka proved a revelation in attack and showed signs of his world-beating abilities, with 11 goals in the league. Goal scoring wasn’t his only contribution though, as he set up a considerable amount for strike partners Davies (8 goals) and Diouf (5 goals), as well as old warhorse Gary Speed, who enjoyed an Indian summer in terms of goal scoring with 8 league goals.

It was definitely no coincidence that Bolton went on a 5-match winning streak in December, with Anelka in red-hot form. The Frenchman bagged 5 goals in 5 games in that period, which proved crucial in eventually seeing the Lancashire club through to the Uefa Cup, albeit by the skin of their teeth after a stuttering finish to the season.

With the departure of Big Sam, it remains to be seen if Bolton can cope with both a European campaign and the bread-and-butter of the league next season. But if new manager Sammy Lee can prevent a mass exodus of players and at least, maintain a position in the top 10, then it’s safe to say that Bolton supporters, one of the more pragmatic bunch of supporters in the top flight, will certainly be over-the-moon.

EVERTON
 Position: 6th
Points: 58

At long last, the blue half of Merseyside can begin to dream that they may one day be able to replace eternal rivals Liverpool as the Number 1 team on the Mersey. The credit for the Toffees’ revival this season has to go to manager David Moyes, who, in a league dominated by the Alex Fergusons and the Jose Mourinhos, has gone about quietly behind the scenes in building a team capable of taking on even the best in the Premiership.

Moyes has done a credible job in managing to rebuild his teams almost every season, as the Toffees have had their best talent, like Thomas Gravesen and Wayne Rooney, plundered by larger clubs every time they looked like on the verge of achieving greater things.

The £8.6million capture of England striker Andrew Johnson, proved a masterstroke. 11 goals in the Premiership in his first season back in the big-time, as well as his awareness in creating chances for teammates Mikel Arteta (9 goals), Aussie Tim Cahill (5 goals), and young strike partners James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe have ensured the Toffee’s European qualification.

Coupled with the uncompromising steel of Lee Carsley in centre midfield and the awesome long-range shooting from Arteta, and Everton’s midfield already looks complete.

At the back, the signing of Joleon Lescott from Wolves looks to be a real bargain, as the Englishman combined brilliantly with Nigerian Joseph Yobo in defence in what is already shaping up to be a rock-solid partnership at Goodison Park.

However, not all has gone Everton’s way this season, most notably in the form of misfiring striker, James Beattie. It appeared that Moyes had finally lost patience with the ex-Southampton striker, who’s miserably failed to recapture his form for his previous club.

With the transfer market throwing up more potential additions like Jason Koumas and David Nugent, things are looking pretty rosy for the boys in blue. With a few signings, the Toffees could be approaching next season with real optimism that they can indeed successively put up a challenge on various fronts.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
 Position: 5th
Points: 60

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see just who has been Tottenham’s star performer this season. Step forward Dimitar Berbatov, whose contribution to ‘Spurs cause this season far outweighs any other at White Hart Lane. It’s safe to say that the £10.9 million coughed up to Bayer Leverkusen for the lanky frontman has been repaid in full. 23 goals in all competitions, including 12 in the league is a phenomenal achievement in your first season in English football, and that’s not including the 11 Premiership assists provided for fellow compatriots Robbie Keane and Jermaine Defoe, who rattled in 11 and 10 goals in the league respectively.

Berbatov’s contribution is all the more amazing when you consider that despite his giant 1.89m-tall frame, most of his goals have been scored on the ground with Many of his strikes stemming from a mixture of deceptive pace, a sublime first touch, and an outstanding ability to improvise.

One for the future though is England Under-21 Tom Huddlestone. Fans have been raving about his pinpoint passing and vision. A sweet half-volley against Manchester City was all the more spectacular, considering how he made it look all so easy,

On the flip side, there’s a niggling feeling that something is still missing from the squad to take them to the next level. Last summer’s departure of Michael Carrick to Manchester United left Spurs with a hole in midfield which the arrival of Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora has failed to cover. Jermaine Jenas, hailed as Carrick’s replacement with his similar passing style, has yet to mature fully as a player, and his startling tendency to fade in and out of games has to be addressed by Jol if Spurs are to prosper.