GOAL OF THE SEASON PAUL SCHOLES (v Aston Villa) Or rather, goal of the Christmas season, as that's when a high proportion of absolute belters were scored. For the difficulty of execution and exquisite flight of the ball, Paul Scholes's technically perfect volley against Aston Villa just shades it.

Runners-up:

For all the talk of Cristiano Ronaldo, he was only the outlet.

United's league campaign was down to the cohesion of their attack and Scholes was the glue.

Clicked magnificently with Michael Carrick and returned to his usual quota of key goals, none as timely or crucial as the equaliser against Blackburn Rovers in March.

DONKEY OF THE SEASON JULIO BAPTISTA (Arsenal) 2. Michael Essien v Arsenal 3. Matthew Taylor v Everton SAVE OF THE SEASON JUSSI JAASKELAINEN (v Aston Villa) From the keeper of the season, this prevented what could have been the goal of the season. Gary Cahill's 25-yard volley was destined for the very angle of the top corner, only for Jussi Jaaskelainen to leap across his goal and somehow get enough on it to touch over the bar.

MISS OF THE SEASON CRISTIANO RONALDO (v Sheffield United) Bad enough that a player in such goal-scoring form could miss from three yards. Worse that a player of such ability could do so with an open goal.

Unforgivable that any player could put it so high over the bar.

BEST BUY BENNI McCARTHY (Blackburn Rovers, above) Linked to England more times than bitter post-colonial hangovers, when McCarthy (above) finally came he proved worth the wait. May not be as elegant or easy on the eye as fellow summer migrant Dmitar Berbatov but, at �2.5m, cost �8m less and has so far scored six more goals with 17.

WORST WASTE ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO (Chelsea) Seems far too easy, but then that's because it's so obvious.

Yes, he always tried and yes, Roman Abramovich put him in a bind, but it's hard to argue when a striker of his pedigree is outscored by Carlos Bocanegra.

GAME OF THE SEASON ARSENAL 6-2 BLACKBURN One of only two times Arsenal produced the football befitting Arsene Wenger's artistic vision . . . the other being away to Reading. For the sheer quality of movement and technique it ousts the first signs of life at West Ham, and Reading's mission statement on the opening day.

Runners-up:

West Ham 3-4 Tottenham Reading 3-2 Middlesbrough