This season’s English Premier League was the most competitive in years, and saw the lead change hands a whopping 25 times. But who were the players and managers that shined?
The final whistle has been blown and the boots are off. We look back and compile the hits, misses and moments that made us stand up.
Best Players
1. Luis Suarez – Liverpool
Suarez started the season as public enemy number one, and has finished it as the Premier League’s sweetheart – a mind-blowing turnaround. Devastating consistency and the architect of jaw-dropping moments. With 31 goals from 33 games, who knows what he would have done had he not been banned for the first few games.
2. Yaya Touré – Manchester City
Yaya Touré one of the main reasons behind Manchester City lifting the trophy. A pillar in the midfield and a prolific goal scorer, he has scored 20 and assisted nine in 35 league outings. He rightfully came second behind Suarez in the Player of the Year rankings.
3. Adam Lallana – Southampton
The Southampton captain has shown why he is being chased by Liverpool. He is technically adept and can attack as well as defend. Basically, he is the heart of the Saints midfield and is on the way to become the heart of the England midfield. A player to watch out for in the World Cup.
Best Managers
1. Brendan Rodgers – Liverpool
Liverpool might have missed the title by a whisker but Brendan Rodgers has authored Liverpool’s best performance in two decades. The former Swansea boss has instilled title-winning confidence through a thrilling brand of fearless, attacking football.
2. Tony Pulis – Crystal Palace
When Ian Holloway resigned in November, Crystal Palace were scraping the barrel with four points from 11 games. At that very moment, when the former Stoke boss arrived at Palace, relegation was looming large, and few would have imagined what Pulis did. He led the Eagles to 13th in the league with the help of some organised, defensive displays.
3. Roberto Martinez – Everton
The former Wigan boss came within sniffing distance of Champions league football and did wonders with a mid-table side. A tactical and controlled performance saw the Toffees reach their highest ever league points tally. They also did the double on Manchester United. Furthermore, Martinez showed just why David Moyes was fired and was probably not the chosen one.
Best Quotes
1. Steven Gerrard: “This does not f***ing slip now”
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard roared this message to his teammates in a huddle after the Reds held their nerver to beat Manchester City 3-2. Liverpool had one hand on the trophy after that win. And then it slipped when he slipped against Chelsea. Liverpool fan or not, one has to feel bad for the man.
2. José Mourinho: “He is a specialist in failure”
No list of quotes can be complete without a quip from José Mourinho. This is what the Chelsea boss had to say about Arsenal manager Arséne Wenger after they played out a goalless draw in December. Ironically enough, it was Mourinho who went on to win exactly zero trophies while Wenger won the FA Cup.
3. Ryan Giggs: “We’ll go back to playing like Manchester United”
The United legend will be Loius van Gaal’s No. 2 next season, and has officially put an end to an illustrious career spanning 21 years. This is what he told players after taking charge of the team for the final four matches of the season.
Best Controversies
1. Kieran Gibbs’s mistaken identity red card
Part hilarious, part shocking and the subject of thousands of memes, Kieran Gibbs’s red card for “handling the ball” inside the box will be remembered for a long time. As Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made a goal-line save with his palm against Chelsea, referee Andre Mariner ran towards the goal with his red card, only to show it to Ox’s teammate Gibbs.
2. Alan Pardew’s headbutt
Yes, this actually happened. Newcastle United manager actually headbutted a Hull City player: a moment that made the footballing world cringe. Pardew was banned for a record seven matches and fined a chest full of money for whacking David Meyler in March.
3. Mourinho’s “parking the bus” tactics
If it is a controversy, chances are its José. The Special One came up with a tactic so controversial that it even has its own name now – parking the bus. The term, used to describe Chelsea’s overtly defensive style of playing away matches. It frustrated opponent managers and delighted Chelsea fans.
Best Young Players
1. Eden Hazard, 23
The Chelsea winger has lit up the Premier League this season. He has dribbled past two or more defenders many times. His goals and assists played a pivotal part in Chelsea’s sustained title challenge – something they had last managed in 2010-11. He scooped up the PFA Young Player of the Year award, and will only get better next season. He has created the most number of chances in Europe this season.
2. Aaron Ramsey, 23
Ramsey has been a live-wire on the pitch for Arsenal this season. From blistering pace to some impossible manoeuvres, the Welsh international has scored 10 goals and created several more. His injury played a major part in Arsenal not finishing higher up the table. He would also have won the Young Player of the Year award, surely.
3. Raheem Sterling, 19
The England international grabbed first team action this season with both feet and displayed his versatility on both the wings and in central midfield. His sheer pace, combined with movement, are a handful for any defence. Add to that the fact that there’s also Suarez and Daniel Sturridge to contend with.
Best Goals
1. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) versus West Ham United
2. Pajtim Kasami (Fulham) versus Crystal Palace
3. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) versus Norwich City
Best Signings
1. Romelu Lukaku – Everton
Lukaku only may have been a loanee from Chelsea, but he nearly guided the Toffees to a Champions League spot with some brilliant attacking football. With 15 goals and five assists in 31 matches, the Belgian will be a player to look out for in the World Cup. He scored 17 goals from 35 matches last season for West Brom while on loan there too.
2. Alvaro Negredo – Manchester City
The Argentine may not have scored since January because of an injury but his attacking style and charisma in the first half of the season made him an instant fan favourite at the Etihad stadium. He was part of, and scored in, many of the thrashings City handed to oppositions.
3. Mesut Özil – Arsenal
He may not have solved problems like war, poverty and hunger that many Arsenal fans were expecting him of him, but there is no denying the impact this German had on the club’s morale and confidence. With five goals and nine assists in the league, he did stamp his class and was pivotal to Arsenal’s victory in the FA Cup.
What to expect next season?
This season has ended with the top-four separated by just seven points, but champions Manchester City managed 86, which is not what many had predicted as the points tally for the champions.
Don’t be surprised if the fourth-placed team scores 85 points next season. City already have the best squad, Chelsea are looking to solve the jigsaw puzzle and Arsenal are targeting some players to plug the holes in their squad. Liverpool should also improve their squad-depth, keeping in mind the extra Champions League fixtures.
If all goes to plan in the transfer window, the title race could boil down to the last round of matches, with all four teams having a chance to win it. This season was great, but next season we expect it to be even greater.
Over to the transfer news now, let’s keep our fingers crossed.
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