Inland Waterways » Vasturias two free throws followed Okafors empty

This week the 2013/14 Premier League season comes to a close. Here at TSN.ca we will take a look back at the season by bringing together a panel of experts to help pick the best 50 players of the season. This list is based purely on their performances this season. It is not a list of who we think the best 50 players in the league are. Fourteen members were asked to take part (panel below) and submit their top 20 players of the season. Their list was then placed into a scoring system and then the totals determined the overall positions in the top 50. Each day this week we will release the list in 10s. The sport is very much about opinions, so please feel free to write your own list in the comments below. You can read part one of the list here. You can read part two of the list here. Here is how the Top 20 were scored – 1st place – 30pts; 2nd place – 25; 3rd place – 22; 4th place – 20; 5th place – 18; 6th place – 17; 7th place – 15; 8th place – 14; 9th place – 13; 10th place – 12; 11th place – 10; 12th place – 9; 13th place – 8; 14th place – 7; 15th place – 6; 16th place – 5; 17th place – 4; 18th place – 3; 19th place – 2; 20th place – 1. The Panel Six members of TSNs soccer team were on the panel and were joined by eight other members from around the world who were asked to represent their specific field. Joining our staff members were two outstanding statistical experts, Jonny Blain and Simon Gleave, two brilliant reporters/commentators covering the league, Stewart Coggin and Paul Sarahs and two extremely knowledgeable tactics writers, Tim Palmer and Ritesh from the False9 website and a man who covers the development side of the league like no other, Aidan from the England Youth website. In addition, also involved was arguably one of the knowledgeable writers covering the league in the world, Michael Cox, aka Zonal Marking. Follow the Panel on Twitter Aidan from England Youth – https://twitter.com/englandyouthJonny Blain - https://twitter.com/jonoblainNoel Butler - https://twitter.com/TheSoccerNoelStewart Coggin - https://twitter.com/StewartCogginMichael Cox - https://twitter.com/Zonal_MarkingJason DeVos - https://twitter.com/jasondevosSimon Gleave - https://twitter.com/SimonGleaveKristian Jack - https://twitter.com/KristianJackTim Palmer - https://twitter.com/timhpalRitesh from The False9 - https://twitter.com/TheFalse_9Paul Sarahs - https://twitter.com/PaulSarahsPete Schaad - https://twitter.com/PeteSchaadGareth Wheeler - https://twitter.com/WheelerTSNLuke Wileman - https://twitter.com/LukeWileman 30. Petr Cech (Chelsea) – “He is one of the best in the world,” said his manager Jose Mourinho this season. Not all that comes out of the mouth of Jose is correct, but it is hard to argue with Cechs incredible consistency. Prone to a high-profile error now and then, he, perhaps, will never be seen as reaching the real elite level of all-time goalkeepers, but he had been outstanding for Chelseas new-look tight defence this season. The best goalkeeper in the Premier League, according to the panel. 29. Romelu Lukaku (Everton) – Lukaku didnt score as many goals this season for Everton as he did for West Brom last season, but his second successive loan campaign was very successful. The Belgian simply grew as a player under Roberto Martinez, linking up better with teammates and playing any role that was asked of him by his manager. This was never more apparent than at home to Arsenal last month when his lethal runs from out wide showed his maturation as a forward and caused many problems for the opposing defence. 28. Gareth Barry (Everton) – Last August, Martinez knocked on Barrys door and wanted a chat. In his living room, he convinced the Englishman to come to Everton and be a part of his new-look Toffees. Barry was the perfect player for Martinezs system, allowing the full backs to push on, knowing a defensive-minded, ball-playing central midfielder can drop deep and split the centre-backs. The Spanish manager has raved about him all season and, unlike Lukaku, looks likely to turn the loan into a full-time move this summer. 27. Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle) – Cabaye left for PSG at the end of January, but had left his stamp on the Premier League, guiding Newcastle to safety and allowing the club to be one of the worst in the league since and not lose their top-10 status. The French midfielder was a true difference maker at St James Park, happy to play in the deep-lying playmaker role where he tore teams to shreds or, as he did at Old Trafford, just off the striker where he was equally effective. A Brilliant passer and set-piece taker, Cabaye isnt just missed by Newcastle fans, the Premier League misses him, too. 26. Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) – Simply one of the most underappreciated talents in the league. Playing for such a big club, in a high-profile league, it really is quite remarkable how little attention Ivanovic gets. The Serbian has been brilliant this season and has improved considerably as a right back under Mourinho, where he isnt required to make too many inroads into the opponents final third. At centre-back, he might be even better and he was absolutely magnificent in Chelseas 2-0 win at Liverpool last month. 25. Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) – One of the most improved players of the season, although, he was excellent in the second half of last season, also. Mertesacker has been a great mentor to Laurent Koscielny and the two have formed a strong partnership in central defence. The German also brings something to Arsenal that is very important – a winning mentality. He knows what it takes to get to a level that the Gunners remain too far away from. Far too many empty promises come from that dressing room and sidelines, but Mertesacker is not guilty of any of them. Easy to look at his performances in those away thrashings and question his spot but collectively Arsenal were pathetic on those days. 24. Vincent Kompany (Man City) – Not a vintage year for the captain of Man City, where too many mistakes led to goals and red cards, however, Kompany continues to be one of the games finest defenders, who makes players around him better. At the moment, he is the face of the team, but if they want to progress to to the level of a true European powerhouse, they need to find at least one centre-back who is even better than the Belgian. 23. Samir Nasri (Man City) – The Frenchman had lost his way under Roberto Mancini and the Italian manager told the media that ‘he was wasting his talent. Frustrated at a lack of playing time and his narrow system, Nasri was unleashed by new manager Manuel Pellegrini and has had a great season at the Etihad. City are blessed with playmakers behind their strikers, who have an appreciation of space and can pick key passes in and around the box. Nasri is no David Silva, but he is now a star on whom City can rely heavily. 22. Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace) – Every season a player is promoted and then makes a name for himself by becoming such an important member of a team that stays up. Last season, it was Southamptons Morgan Schneiderlin, who led all players in tackles and interceptions. This season it is Jedinak who, remarkably, leads all players (who started more than 58 per cent of games) in those categories. The Aussie has been the heartbeat of a Crystal Palace team that was on life support in November. Throughout their struggles he was excellent and was even better when they molded into a solid team, around him, under Tony Pulis. It was a fitting moment that Jedinak scored the penalty at West Ham that won the game 1-0 and assured the Eagles of another year in the top flight. 21. Ross Barkley (Everton) - With all due respect to Eden Hazard, the PFA Young Player of the Year Award was made for a player like Barkley. Few had heard about the midfielder this time last year and the Scouser had a breakthrough campaign, playing with a youthful energy that helps him glide by opponents on the ball with an arrogant swagger not seen enough by a young Englishman since Paul Gascoigne. He is, however, more than just an attacking midfielder who can score spectacular goals, as he isnt afraid to get involved in the physical side of the game, much like Steven Gerrard was at his age. 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Ashley Young Jersey .com) - Sergio Agueros 63rd-minute goal was enough to lift Manchester City to a 1-0 win over 10-man Manchester United on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.South Bend, IN - The top-10 ACC showdown at Purcell Pavilion lived up to its billing, and it was Notre Dame -- particularly Jerian Grant -- providing the big plays down the stretch to steal a signature win from Duke. Grant finished with 23 points, 12 assists and six rebounds as the eighth- ranked Fighting Irish survived a 77-73 nail-biter against the fourth-ranked Blue Devils. Duke led by 10 midway through the second half before the Irish rallied for their fourth comeback victory during a five-game winning streak. Grant was the catalyst, but Notre Dame (20-2, 8-1 ACC) had plenty of contributors. Pat Connaughton chipped in 13 points and 12 rebounds, Zach Auguste scored 14 points and Steve Vasturia drained a huge 3-pointer in crunch time. That one absolutely lived up to the hype, said Notre Dame coach Mike Brey. Two really good teams going at it. There was a slight letdown for Duke (17-3, 4-3) following the celebration of Mike Krzyzewskis 1,000th career victory over the weekend, as no one other than Jahlil Okafor made a field goal over the final 12-plus minutes. I thought our guys played winning basketball and obviously they did too, said Krzyzewski. Grant had a great game. Hes a terrific player. Okafor totaled 22 points and 17 rebounds but struggled at the foul line, making just 2-of-7 with two critical misses under three minutes remaining. Vasturias two free throws followed Okafors empty trip to give Notre Dame a 71-70 lead with 2:15 remaining, and after Okafor was short on a strong post move on the left block, Grant calmly dribbled away the shot clock. Tyus Jones nearly stripped the ball away with time winding down, but Grant recovered just in time and sent a contested prayer up at the foul line that found the bottom of the net with 1:07 to go. Dukes Quinn Cook followed with two free throws inside the final minute, and again Grant killed time with what seemed like aimless dribbling. This time, though, he swung the ball to Vasturia for a corner 3-pointer that put the Irish in front 76-72 with 22.9 seconds showing. We has always been the kid that makes the right play, Connaughton said about Grant. Its never aboutt him getting the points, its all about him making the winning play.dddddddddddd Grants block of Cook at the other end then helped the Irish seal the impressive win. Midway through the first half, Grant made two 3-pointers -- including one from the inside the shamrock at midcourt -- during a 14-2 run that gave Notre Dame a 25-18 lead. There was a brief scare for Okafor when he grimaced and had his right knee looked at on the bench later in the period. The future NBA lottery pick was quickly cleared and returned with a baseline spin move for a layup that put Duke back in front at 29-28. Cook capped his 13-point first half with a 3-pointer and layup inside the final 90 seconds, and the Blue Devils went into the break with a 39-36 advantage. Cook was 5-for-5 from the field in the first half and 0-for-6 in the second. Twenty-five points were scored before the first media timeout of a fast-paced second half, but when play resumed only the Blue Devils kept their foot on the gas. Jones scored four quick points, Justise Winslow drained a 3-pointer and Okafor slammed home a rebound to suddenly give Duke a 60-51 cushion. Another Okafor bucket inside made it a 10-point game at 65-55, but the Irish fought back with 12 consecutive points to regain the lead. Auguste tied it with a left-handed hook shot in the lane with 7:10 to play, then found a cutting Grant for a layup with a bounce pass the next time down. Okafor ended Dukes drought with consecutive buckets, but the Blue Devils missed their final three shots and went just 4-of-9 from the foul line over the final four-plus minutes. Game Notes Notre Dame is 6-1 in its last seven home games against top-10 teams ... The Irish have won 16 of their last 17 games ... Duke was 3-0 against ranked opponents this season ... Jones and Winslow scored 14 and 13 points, respectively ... This was the first top-10 matchup at Purcell Pavilion since No. 10 Notre Dame defeated No. 4 Pittsburgh on Feb. 9, 2003 ... These programs meet again in Durham on Feb. 7 ... Notre Dame next plays at Pittsburgh, while the Blue Devils have another tough road game at No. 2 Virginia on Saturday. 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