Norman Hubbard: Clint Deserves a Fistful of Dollars

In first place, the world-class player at the peak of his powers, whose goal tally showed his efficiency but whose finishing revealed flair in abundance. In second, the man who threatened to outscore him, a forward with a remarkable habit of delivering goals against elite sides. In third, swept into contention on a tide of sentiment, the returning icon, back from retirement to illustrate his timeless gifts. When the football writers cast their votes for their Player of the Year, the podium places were occupied by those storied talents Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes. But fourth place was the most interesting, least likely story of them all. A footballer who, despite playing for a mid-table side, delivered more goals than all in the Premier League bar Van Persie, Rooney and Sergio Aguero. Moreover, he did so without being a specialist striker. Clint Dempsey was the outsider who gatecrashed the favourites' private party.