The 2004-05 campaign was a season of dramatic twists and agonizing near-miss for Manchester City as The Citizens finished a respectable 8th in the Premier League, narrowly missing a UEFA Cup spot on the final day. Leading the line with 11 goals each across all competitions were veteran striker Robbie Fowler and the PFA Team of the Year breakout star, Shaun Wright-Phillips. The season, which saw Stuart Pearce take over from Kevin Keegan, culminated in a chaotic final-day fixture where a last-gasp penalty miss by Fowler and the surreal sight of goalkeeper David James playing up front denied the club European football, creating a defining moment of heartache for the Eastlands faithful.