Henry and Parker win PFA awards
(sportinglife.com)
Updated: 2004-04-26 08:51

Thierry Henry's influence on Arsenal's title-winning campaign was given due recognition when he was named PFA player of the year in London on Sunday night.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry of France (C) celebrates with Dennis Bergkamp (L) and Edu (R) after they drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur giving them the league title in their English premier league soccer match at White Hart Lane, London, April 25, 2004. [Reuters]

Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker was the surprise choice for young player of the year, beating his captain John Terry to the honour.

France international Henry, whose 29 goals in 33 appearances have driven the Gunners to the Barclaycard Premiership summit, was clear favourite to win the main award ahead of fellow nominees Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Jay-Jay Okocha, Alan Shearer and Patrick Vieira.

The honour came just hours after Arsenal clinched the championship following a 2-2 draw at Tottenham.

Gunners captain Patrick Vieira said: "He will tell you it is a team game but he has been tremendous in the last two games when we have been a little bit tired and needed someone to do something special."

Parker's emergence as a player with international potential was confirmed in January when he joined Chelsea in a ?0million move from Charlton.

He is not yet a confirmed fixture in the Blues line-up but started both Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal.

Parker said: "This is very pleasing for me and it rounds off a brilliant season, although there are a couple of things that could still go my way in the summer, such as the Champions League and the European Championship.

"It has been a tough year for me but a brilliant year. It was always going to be tough leaving Charlton because I had not known anything else since the age of nine so it was always going to take a bit of time to settle in at Chelsea but I am happy with the way things are going."

The duo featured in the PFA's Premiership team of the year which was dominated by Arsenal players with Lauren, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Robert Pires and Vieira also named.

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