Manchester United’s shambolic season took another turn for the worse in a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth as Liverpool went top of the Premier League after Sunday morning [AEDT].
Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool were fortunate to win 2-1 at 10-man Crystal Palace after Jordan Ayew’s harsh red card changed the game late on.
Liverpool’s victory in the day’s early kick-off gave them a one-point lead over second placed Arsenal, who blew the chance to regain top spot later as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat at surging Aston Villa.
Third placed Villa’s club record 15th consecutive home league victory lifted them to within two points of the leaders.
At Villa Park, Unai Emery’s side completed a memorable week by following Thursday’s 1-0 victory against champions Manchester City with another statement success against the team who started the weekend in first place.
John McGinn’s seventh minute goal proved decisive as the Scotland midfielder controlled Leon Bailey’s pass before turning to drill a powerful finish past David Raya from close-range.
There was late VAR drama when Kai Havertz’s goal was disallowed for handball as the Arsenal forward bundled it over the line in stoppage-time.
It was a sweet moment for Villa boss Unai Emery, who was sacked by Arsenal after less than two seasons in charge in 2019.
The Spaniard has revitalised Villa since arriving from Villarreal last season, with four wins in their last five league matches giving fans hope of a first title since 1981.
Arsenal’s first defeat in five league games was a frustrating setback after their recent march to top spot.
John McGinn of Aston Villa celebrates. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
LIVERPOOL STAR SLAMMED AS ‘LUCKY’ REDS SNEAK HOME
At Selhurst Park, Liverpool fought back to maintain their own title challenge. Palace were denied a first-half penalty by a VAR intervention but were awarded a spot-kick early in the second period as VAR spotted a foul on Jean-Philippe Mateta by Jarell Quansah.
Mateta converted the penalty, but the Eagles were undone by two controversial yellow cards shown to Ayew.
Ayew’s first indiscretion came as he was ruled to have prevented Virgil Van Dijk from taking a quick free-kick, having not been positioned the required distance of ten yards apart.
Ayew then was given second yellow moments later for fouling Harvey Elliott as the Liverpool star looked to counter attack.
Match Referee Andy Madley shows Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace a red card. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“This is another hard one to take for us, I am gutted for the players and how the game panned out,” Palace boss Roy Hodgson said after the match.
“The red card was unbelievably harsh, the fouls committed by both teams was more or less the same and I do not think we deserved nine yellow cards, even if I probably deserved mine.
“It is saddening for me to see how hard the boys worked and come away with nothing.
“Van Dijk took the opportunity to get him booked by kicking the ball at him from a few yards away. That’s very disappointing. Liverpool do not need players of that quality and status trying to get an opposition player a yellow card.
“The second one was a good challenge, and if you deem that a challenge, which it could be, then it was not a yellow card offence.
“We are talking too much about the referees and days like today show that when I do leave this game behind, I won’t be missing it.”
Liverpool took advantage of the red card within seconds as Mohamed Salah’s deflected shot brought up his 200th goal for the club.
Substitute Harvey Elliott then fired home a 91st-minute winner from outside the box to take Liverpool a point clear of Arsenal at the top of the table.
“I’m a very happy manager in this moment, but I know we were lucky as well,” said Klopp. “For 76 minutes it was a really bad performance.”
UNITED CRASH TO NEW LOW
United’s season hit a new low as Bournemouth secured their first ever victory at Old Trafford in style.
Erik ten Hag’s men had risen to sixth thanks to six wins in eight Premier League games.
But a dreadful display put the Dutchman’s position back under the spotlight ahead of a likely exit from the Champions League at the group stage in midweek.
Dominic Solanke put Bournemouth in front after just five minutes when he turned home Lewis Cook’s cross.
Solanke hit the post and Antoine Semenyo came close as Bournemouth continued to have the better of the chances.
But they had to wait until 68 minutes to double their lead when Philip Billing rose to head home Marcus Tavernier’s cross.
Marcos Senesi then set the seal on a famous victory as Andoni Iraola’s men moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to a fourth win in five games.
Newcastle thrashed Sheffield United 8-0 to shrug off their slow start to the Premier League season on Sunday, as Son Heung-min’s double earned Tottenham a point from a pulsating 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
Saudi-backed Newcastle had lost three of their opening five Premier League games to dampen expectations of a title challenge on Tyneside.
But Eddie Howe’s men showed no mercy as they put the Blades to the sword with ease.
Three goals in 14 first-half minutes set the tone as Sean Longstaff, Dan Burn and Sven Botman put the visitors on course to cruise to victory.
Callum Wilson, Anthony Gordon, Miguel Almiron, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak were then on target after the break as the Magpies became the first side to have eight different goalscorers, not including own goals, in a Premier League game.
“The big thing for us was that we really wanted to score and we weren’t content with three,” said Howe. “I want that mentality to run through the team.”
However, Newcastle fell just short of the nine-goal Premier League record for a margin of victory.
The size of the defeat sinks Sheffield United to bottom of the table on goal difference with Paul Heckingbottom’s future as manager now in doubt.
Things went from bad to worse for Chelsea.Source: AFP
BLUES NIGHTMARE AFTER ANOTHER LOSS
Chelsea’s disastrous start to Mauricio Pochettino’s reign goes on as the 10-man Blues lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa.
Malo Gusto’s straight red card for a lunge on Lucas Digne on the hour mark gave the home side a mountain to climb at Stamford Bridge.
Villa made their man advantage count when Ollie Watkins’ powerful strike beat Robert Sanchez from a narrow angle.
Despite spending more than any other Premier League club in the summer transfer window, Chelsea have taken just five points from Pochettino’s first six league games in charge.
They have failed to score in three straight games, with their five points from six games their worst tally since 1978.
“We need to be aware about what is going on but at the same time we need to be calm,” said Pochettino. “We cannot say that the players gave up after 70 minutes, they were fighting until the end with one player less.”
Besides Gusto, they’ll also be without starting striker Nicolas Jackson for their next game, after he picked up a fifth yellow card in just six Premier League games to cop himself a one-match suspension.
The worst Blues since ‘78.Source: Getty Images
‘BRAVE’ SPURS BATTLE BACK
Spurs have still won just once in their last 31 away league meetings with Arsenal, but the optimism garnered under Ange Postecoglou’s early weeks in charge was not punctured at the Emirates despite twice falling behind in the north London derby.
Arsenal’s bright start was rewarded when Bukayo Saka’s strike was deflected into his own net by Cristian Romero.
But for the fifth time in seven games under Postecoglou, Tottenham fought back from a goal down.
James Maddison’s cross was swept home by Son at the near post three minutes before half-time.
Romero’s afternoon went from bad to worse when he was harshly penalised for handball and Saka stroked home the resulting penalty to restore Arsenal’s lead.
VAR call leaves Ange ‘disconsolate’ | 01:12
But the Gunners lost record signing Declan Rice at half-time to injury and that proved costly as an error from his replacement Jorginho gifted Tottenham an equaliser just a minute later.
Maddison was again the creator as he robbed the Italian midfielder and teed up Son for a cool finish into the far corner.
“Arsenal are a top team and we had to defend at times. But we showed real courage and bravery to keep playing our football,” said Postecoglou.
A draw leaves Spurs and Arsenal in fourth and fifth respectively, four points off the top.
Liverpool cut Manchester City’s lead at the top to two points with a 3-1 win over West Ham as Jurgen Klopp’s men showed more promising signs of getting back to their best.
The Reds sank to fifth last season, but have the firepower that could make them the biggest threat to City’s throne as champions.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he was up-ended in the box by Nayef Aguerd.
West Ham bounced back to fully merit their equaliser before half-time when Jarrod Bowen’s diving header found the far corner.
However, the Hammers were undone by a moment of magic when Alexis Mac Allister’s inch-perfect chip picked out Darwin Nunez, who volleyed into the far corner.
Diogo Jota then came off the bench to make it 3-1 five minutes from time.
Darwin Nunez scored a stunner.Source: Getty Images
BRIGHTON BATTLE BACK AFTER HOWLER
Brighton took advantage of dropped points for both north London sides to move up to third after coming from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1.
Dominic Solanke fired Bournemouth in front after a glaring error from Brighton ‘keeper Bart Verbruggen.
Milos Kerkez’s own goal brought Brighton level in first-half stoppage time, but that did not stop coach Roberto de Zerbi sending on Kaoru Mitoma at the break.
The Japanese winger took just 16 seconds to put Brighton in front with a precise finish and Mitoma made sure of the points when he headed home Pervis Estupinan’s cross 14 minutes from time.
Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton scores the team’s third goal.Source: Getty Images
Erik ten Hag urged Manchester United to show some “character” after they plunged deeper into crisis as Brighton swept to a shock 3-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Ten Hag’s side were rocked by a first-half goal from former United forward Danny Welbeck before Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro put Brighton further ahead after the interval.
Hannibal Mejbri’s first goal for the club was no consolation for United, who were booed off at the final whistle.
It was United’s second successive defeat after their 3-1 loss at Arsenal before the international break.
With three defeats in five league games already this season — the first time they have suffered that fate in the Premier League era and their worst start in 34 years — United are languishing in 12th place and have the look of a club in turmoil on and off the pitch.
“Definitely that is something that bothers me. Finally it’s about character. Now we have to see how strong we are, how the team sticks together and which players are standing up and showing the character and leading the team,” Ten Hag said.
“Because in all the games, all the games but especially the games today, against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, we have seen we can play very good and we can create a lot of chances.
“But, yes, there are also some improvements to make. That is definitely the case and now we have to step up.”
Ten Hag appeared to have stabilised United last season when he ended the club’s six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup and qualifying for the Champions League in his first campaign.
But hopes of a title challenge are already fading after a dismal start to the new season, with a daunting Champions League opener at Bayern Munich on Wednesday threatening to add to United’s woes.
“We have to be very disappointed,” Ten Hag said. “And we have to be very annoyed with ourselves because at United the demand is you win games.”
“It is a heavy one,” Christian Eriksen told the BBC. “We have to look at ourselves. We changed some things but we are disappointed.”
Bruno Fernandes was dejected.Source: Getty Images
In response to a rash of disciplinary issues involving his players, Ten Hag claimed this week that he arrived at Old Trafford following his move from Ajax to find “no good culture” among the squad.
On Friday, Ten Hag said he did not know whether exiled forward Jadon Sancho will play for United again.
Sancho has been banished to train away from United’s first team after the England international angered Ten Hag when he claimed he was a “scapegoat” after he was dropped for the Arsenal loss.
Meanwhile, United forward Antony is on a leave of absence to fight allegations of domestic violence made against him by three women, which he strongly denies.
Antony’s problems came weeks after Mason Greenwood was forced to leave United on loan to Spanish side Getafe over domestic abuse allegations that were later dropped.
United fans have also continued their protests against the disliked Glazer family after the club’s owners appeared to halt their sale plan.
Manchester United fans are furious after the Glazer family’s sale stalled.Source: Getty Images
Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund both missed early chances to put United ahead and Brighton took the lead in the 20th minute.
Adam Lallana let Simon Adingra’s low cross run through his legs to the unmarked Welbeck, who sidefooted home to leave Old Trafford in shell-shocked silence.
Gross has made a habit of tormenting United in the past and the German made it seven goals in 11 games against them when he collected Tariq Lamptey’s 53rd minute pass, danced past Lisandro Martinez and fired a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Ten Hag was loudly jeered when he opted to replace Hojlund with Anthony Martial.
Bizarrely, Ten Hag said: “I think it was positive. You see that the fans from the first moment in Old Trafford, the reception for him was great.”
Ten Hag added: “The booing was because Rasmus came off. But I think Martial last year when he played, he had a positive effect on our games … when he is fit, he will contribute. He is not top fit at this moment, but he is improving. When he is 100 per cent fit, he will contribute like last season.”
In the 71st minute, Pedro produced a superb finish from Lamptey’s pass, prompting United fans to trudge to the exits.
Hannibal came off the bench to curl home from 20 yards two minutes later, but it was too late to stop the crisis from engulfing United
Pop superstar Robbie Williams is, quite literally, singing his praises.
His players have spoken glowingly about his managerial touch and have embraced his full-throttle style of play.
Oh, and his team sits second in the league with an unbeaten record.
As far as first months in the Premier League go, they don’t get much better for Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian boss has looked at home while parading the touchline and pitting his tactical wit against 19 of the most elite footballing brains on the planet.
But it’s not just the on-field work of Postecoglou — or his players — that has the fans chanting “we’ve got our Tottenham back” long into the night, although it is a significant factor.
Postecoglou’s first order of business was to ensure his new signings hit the ground running in their Premier League opener against Brentford on August 19.
Three of Tottenham’s summer additions were named in the starting line-up for that game: goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, centre back Mickey van de Ven and star midfielder James Maddison.
One could also lump in left back Destiny Udogie into that group given it was his Tottenham debut despite having signed for the club from Udinese last summer.
On paper, three new signings doesn’t seem terribly disruptive, but two of those were key defensive positions that can significantly help or hinder a team.
It didn’t help that not long after scoring the opener against Brentford centre-back Cristian Romero had to be subbed off due to concussion.
But Tottenham remained strong and held out for a 2-2 draw in a game that represented the peaks and troughs of ‘Angeball.’
Going forward, Tottenham were electric but when defending, it was wildly chaotic at times.
“No one, least of all Postecoglou, is suggesting Spurs aren’t a team with lots of flaws and issues to resolve.
“But this game was a lot of fun and a big departure from last season. And that’s a start.”
Postecoglou earned a hard-fought draw in his first Premier League match. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Yet all eyes quickly turned towards how Postecoglou would fare in his second match against one of the biggest teams in the world: Manchester United.
Postecoglou had faced the Red Devils as a manager once before when he was coaching South Melbourne at the 2000 Club World Championship, but went down 2-0 to Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops.
But the Australian would exact revenge 23 years later in a history-making win via the same scoreline.
United boss Erik ten Hag simply had no answers for the swarms of white shirts running at the Red Devils’ goal as the Tottenham faithful found their voices once again.
Again, it was another old school saloon shootout and on another day the result could have easily swung in United’s favour, but Lady Luck was on Postecoglou’s side.
Result aside, the game was yet another reminder of the departure from the playing style of Postecoglou’s predecessors.
“Under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, Spurs had shrivelled into a ball of pragmatism in the futile search for silverware,” The Times’ Alyson Rudd said.
“Under Ange Postecoglou, they are expressive, bold, fun and carefree. Erik ten Hag simply ran out of ways to handle it, the way a kindergarten teacher might despair of a class having a water fight.
“Tottenham may need to issue health warnings if this marks just the beginning of what the Australian has planned for the Premier League.”
The unbeaten start continued with a 2-0 and 5-2 victory over Bournemouth and Burnley respectively.
But if there was ever a sign ‘Angeball’ has been well and truly embraced by Tottenham’s players, it was their fifth goal against Burnley that rounded out skipper Heung-Min Son’s hat-trick.
Romero won the ball back on his own byline and just 16 passes later, Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford was picking the ball out of his own net.
Ange ball on fire! – Spurs new tactic? | 00:50
‘JUST COPYING PEP’: HOW ANGE HAS POST-KANE SPURS FLYING
The results are there and so too is the playing style, even if there are some teething problems.
So, how has Postecoglou got his troops all singing off his rather complex hymn sheet?
Firstly, there’s the usage of inverted fullbacks.
It’s not a groundbreaking invention from Postecoglou, but it takes an intelligent manager to not only implement it in their system but to ensure it works.
He even joked that he was “just copying Pep (Guardiola)” when quizzed about using the tactic.
What it means is that Udogie and Pedro Porro will drift into the middle third of the field, allowing any one of their central midfielders in Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr or James Maddison to drop from wide positions.
In turn, it opens up passing lanes for the centre-backs when they are on the ball to either feed it wide to a winger or give it to one of their midfielders who have come short to receive.
It also helps create numbers in the middle of the field to form various passing triangles, allowing Tottenham to carve teams open.
But the biggest tactical change Postecoglou has been forced to enact is up front.
Tottenham sold their record goalscorer Harry Kane to German giants Bayern Munich in an eye-watering $168 million deal.
Last season, Kane scored a staggering 30 league goals which contributed to 43 per cent of Tottenham’s goals, which was the highest figure in the league.
Additionally, Kane has scored 32.92 per cent of all Tottenham’s Premier League goals since the start of the 2012/13 season.
Whichever way you wanted to spin it, that number made it hard to disprove the argument Tottenham were a one-man team.
Whether he was dropping deep to link up play and drag opposition defenders with him or being a pest in the box, Kane was central to every attack.
Tottenham’s win rate with and without Kane also painted a rather bleak picture as to just how big of a task Postecoglou would have to revolutionise the squad, even if he insisted he had always planned for his departure.
Harry Kane’s exit could have easily derailed Tottenham’s start to the season. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Per BBC Sport, Tottenham won 167 of the 304 games Kane played for the team for a win rate of 54.9 per cent.
In the 36 games Kane did not play, Tottenham won just 16 of those and lost 12 for a win rate of 44.4 per cent.
It left Postecoglou needing a serious tactical revamp to not only attempt to plug the Kane-sized hole in his attack, but he had to find ways to share the goalscoring burden.
Four league games later and it’s safe to say he’s done that, even if Kane is irreplaceable in terms of his goals and what he brought to Tottenham as a whole.
Six Tottenham players have got on the scoresheet so far with Son leading the way with three goals while Maddison and Romero both have two, and $93 million deadline day signing Brennan Johnson may well quickly find himself on the scoresheet too.
Capable of playing on the wing or up top, the rapid Welshman was on Postecoglou’s wishlist for quite some time and for good reason too.
Son and Richarlison have both had chances as the central striker in a three-man forward line with contrasting fortunes.
Richarlison, who has scored just once for Tottenham in the Premier League, has struggled to insert himself into games.
As for Son, his rapid pace has proven key to how Tottenham play, especially when launching a counter-attack or latching onto a floated ball played over the top of opposition backlines.
The South Korean, who was handed the captain’s armband by Postecoglou after Kane’s departure, is loving his new role.
“He wants to have the ball, he wants to dominate the game and he wants to play as high as possible and in their half of the pitch which our players are really interested in and put a lot of effort into it so everyone is enjoying it and you could see on the pitch that everyone is playing with joy, with the happiness which is very helpful for the team,” Son said.
But it’s not just the players who are falling head over heels for the Aussie boss.
Son Heung-Min had plenty of kind words to say about Postecoglou. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ANGEBALL MEETS … BAZBALL?
Football chants are synonymous with famous songs of both old and present.
No matter how difficult a player’s name may seem to put a musical twist on it, you can bet your bottom dollar that supporters will find a way to make it work.
But for Postecoglou, the Tottenham faithful have managed to bestow two songs on him — at least for now.
One is their take on ‘Waltzing Matilda’, but the most iconic song — and one that even caught the attention of pop legend Robbie Williams — is to the tune of ‘Angels’.
It’s just the latest chapter in an already-blossoming love affair between Postecoglou and Tottenham fans.
From the very first game, the signs were there.
Before Tottenham kicked off against Brentford, their starting team ran towards the away section and applauded them before going into a huddle, sparking vocal cheers from their travelling fans.
If Tottenham’s home ground had a roof it would have been blown into space, such was the noise generated throughout their win over Manchester United.
It was that game that truly made fans fall in love with Postecoglou if they hadn’t already.
He continues to lead the fans in thunderous applause after every game, like a conductor leading his orchestra.
“The post-match celebrations summed up the relationship that’s developing between the Tottenham fans and Ange Postecoglou,” BBC Sport commentator John Bennett said after Spurs’ win at Burnley.
“He was last off the pitch to acknowledge the sustained applause from the away end.”
Socceroos legend Robbie Slater also noted the unique connection Postecoglou has already formed with the fanbase in record time.
“It’s the style of football,” Slater said on Fox Sports News.
“Look at what Son Heung-Min said after the game. It’s those expressions that are giving Tottenham fans a lot of hope and a lot of joy.
Postecoglou has formed an instant connection with the fans. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“Ange’s connection already with the supporters is amazing, the way he goes to the supporters, he makes the players go to the supporters.”
Part of what has made Postecoglou an instant hit with the Tottenham fans — Celtic supporters will likely attest to this — is his witty rhetoric in press conferences.
There’s an element of relatability to what he says, with many clips of Postecoglou’s press conferences littered with comments along the lines of: “He gets it.”
Postecoglou also isn’t afraid to have playful banter with some of the journalists either, although one may argue the assembled press pack bring it upon themselves.
When one described summer signing Maddison as a “bargain” for £40 million, Postecoglou was flabbergasted that monetary figure could be labelled as such.
It feels like a lifetime ago Spurs fans were this giddy with glee, even if the best days of the Mauricio Pochettino era were less than a decade ago.
But that’s the effect of the soul-destroying and laborious stints of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte at the club.
“At this moment it feels like Tottenham Hotspur supporters are not looking far ahead – they are far too busy enjoying the moment,” The Athletic’s Tim Spiers wrote.
“They have waited a good long while for the kind of sun-kissed scenes of wondrous delirium and beaming pride witnessed at the end of the 5-2 shellacking of Burnley.
“The dreaming will no doubt follow if they keep this up but, as they keep singing, they are just happy right now to have “our Tottenham back.’”
The Guardian’s Max Rushden even went as far as likening the Postecoglou effect at Tottenham to that of a certain New Zealander on English cricket.
“Last year, no-one expected Arsenal to mount a title challenge and realistically no-one expects Spurs to this year,” Rushden wrote.
“But the vibes are good. And vibes matter.
“Angeball might be the Bazball of the Premier League. Make everyone happy, enjoy yourself doing it and the results might follow.”
But how long will these results and the positivity last?
The Tottenham fans are singing all sorts of songs about Postecoglou. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
HAS ANGE FINALLY BUCKED NAGGING TREND, OR DELAYING THE INEVITABLE?
Tottenham’s red-hot start to the season has bucked the trend of Postecoglou’s slow starts.
In his first season at Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, the Aussie won just five of his first 16 games and avoided a relegation playoff only on goal difference.
He also endured a difficult start to life at Celtic as he oversaw three defeats — including a loss in his first Old Firm derby — and a draw in his opening seven games.
The criticism and questioning of his credentials came thick and fast, especially since the spotlight is that much brighter on managers at one of Scotland’s biggest clubs.
Yet Postecoglou soon proved why he was wanted by Celtic, going on to win the Scottish Premiership and League Cup in his first season before completing the domestic treble in his second.
An unbeaten start to the Premier League season is a complete departure from the 57-year-old’s traditional starts which could mean one of two things.
Will the expected slow start simply never arrive?
Or, more worryingly, is it going to arrive but at a later date?
Some may argue Tottenham have been rather fortunate in their fixtures to start the season, but the bigger tests are set to come thick and fast after the international break.
Postecoglou will lead Tottenham into his first North London derby against Arsenal on September 24 before they host Liverpool on October 1.
Postecoglou’s side have already been knocked out of a cup competition. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
It is worth pointing out that it has not by any means been a perfect start for Postecoglou.
Tottenham were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the second round by Fulham, meaning it’s one less opportunity for Postecoglou to bring some long-awaited silverware back to North London.
Given there is no European football being played by Tottenham this season, realistically their only hope for a trophy now solely rests in the FA Cup.
There’s also concerns about the team’s depth, especially at centre back.
Tottenham elected to sell Davinson Sanchez to Galatasaray, leaving a large drop-off from starting duo Van de Ven and Romero to the likes of Eric Dier or Ben Davies.
There’s also the question of who will replace Maddison’s creativity in midfield should he go down with an injury, with Giovani Lo Celso perhaps the only option.
Even then, the Argentinian midfielder doesn’t have the same ability to thread the needle or take players on quite like Maddison does.
Thankfully their summer additions up front, namely Johnson, Manor Solomon and the permanent signing of Dejan Kulusevski means there is plenty of cover in the final third if need be.
Of course, these issues may very well be rectified in the January transfer window, although it is unknown how much Postecoglou will have to spend on new signings.
There’s a lot of football left for Postecoglou and Tottenham this season. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Who knows how good this feel-good factor at Tottenham will last.
The mood could quickly turn sour in just a matter of games if results begin to dip.
But based on Postecoglou’s first month in the Premier League, it’s difficult to see that happening.
He’s brought in a style of play that has fans off their seats and has unburdened Tottenham’s players from the shackles of the Mourinho and Conte eras.
Most importantly, he’s given the Tottenham fans their club back.
Manchester City won the title (again), two of the traditional ‘Big Six’ crashed and burned in emphatic fashion as three teams secured European football for the first time in at least 13 years.
We also had to wave goodbye to a former Premier League champion as a sleeping giant also slept-walked their way to the Championship.
There was a lot to love about the season at all ends of the table, but who stood out for all the right and wrong reasons?
Foxsports.com.au analysed EVERY team’s season in the annual Premier League Report Card!
Five league crowns in six seasons: Pep Guardiola’s City side are well and truly a Premier League dynasty. And they’re not done yet, with an FA Cup final and Champions League final still to play and a historic treble up for grabs.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Pep’s men, giving the Gunners a huge lead in the Premier League race before hunting them down at the death. But when the pressure was on, City delivered the kind of faultless winning streak that has characterised their dominance of the English game in recent years.
Erling Haaland scored goals for fun in the greatest debut season in Premier League history – scoring a record 36 league goals at the tender age of just 22.
His price tag of £51.2m seems farcically good value, especially given the expenditure of some of City’s rivals this season. But he’s not the only bargain City snared – with centre-back Manuel Akanji’s £15m fee a bargain-basement price.
Indeed, City even made an estimated £50m transfer profit this year, thanks to big sales like Raheem Sterling to Chelsea, and Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal.
City remain a class above their opposition.
Manchester City defended their Premier League crown. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2. Arsenal
Grade: A
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has overseen gradual improvements from his team ever since he returned to the club, but no-one could have seen the Gunners mount a serious title challenge this season.
The Gunners were top of the table for all but eight rounds this season but couldn’t quite hold on to their position as the inevitable Manchester City leapfrogged them in the closing weeks.
Although the end of the campaign is tinged with sadness given what could have been, it’s been a tremendous season.
Arteta’s side blew every pre-season expectation of the water with their final ladder position as the plaudits never stopped rolling in for one of the youngest teams in the Premier League.
Most pleasing was the emergence of 21-year-old winger Bukayo Saka.
The Englishman, operating on the right flank, tore opposition back lines apart time and time again and finished with 14 goals as well as 11 assists.
Another star who matured rapidly was Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian was handed the skipper’s armband at the start of the season and finished joint-top scorer for the Gunners with 15 and provided seven assists.
Although the Gunners wobbled with three wins in their last nine, it should not be how their season is remembered.
With a return to the Champions League secured, there’s no ceiling in sight for this fresh-faced Gunners squad in the near future.
Arteta has got Arsenal back in the Champions League. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
3. Manchester Utd
Grade: A-
Talk about a change in mood.
Manchester United’s season began in a dark, gloomy corner of a room as they lost 2-1 at home to Brighton on the opening day, only to follow that up with an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Brentford six days later.
After two games, the Red Devils were rock bottom of the ladder as the excitement surrounding Erik ten Hag’s appointment rapidly dissipated.
But the hard-nosed Dutchman quickly turned their fortunes around, as some big wins over the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal got their season back on track.
Despite the surge up the ladder, a Cristiano Ronaldo-sized storm was brewing in the background and exploded during the mid-season World Cup break.
The Portuguese superstar left no stone unturned in a revealing interview with Piers Morgan which forced the club to part ways with their former prodigal son.
Perhaps United have Morgan to thank for that interview because once Ronaldo waved goodbye to Old Trafford and said hello to Saudi Arabia, the Red Devils’ fortunes changed dramatically.
Marcus Rashford went on a run of 10 league goals in as many games, with one of those proving to be the winner in a heated Manchester derby victory.
Ten Hag also helped United end their wait for a trophy as he oversaw a victory over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
Eight wins in their last 11 games ensured a third-place finish for the Red Devils and a return to the Champions League
Summer signings Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez proved to be absolute masterstrokes as they were vital to United’s season, but it was the resurgence of Rashford that was most impressive.
The forward looked like a man reborn under Ten Hag and, if he can continue such form next season, United could be a serious title contender.
Marcus Rashford was a player transformed under Erik ten Hag. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
4. Newcastle
Grade: A
In the space of two seasons, Newcastle United fans have gone from fearing Championship away days to dreaming of Champions League trips to Madrid and Paris.
Toon boss Eddie Howe has overseen a stunning turnaround at the club in which they finished in the top four and made it to a cup final.
The club recruited wisely in the summer with the arrivals of Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Alexander Isak to name three.
But Howe’s remarkable ability to take some of Newcastle’s existing players to new levels that made them almost feel like new signings.
Joelinton, a £40m laughing stock of a striker, has transformed into a barnstorming midfielder while Callum Wilson smashed in 18 league goals and earned an England recall.
The Magpies’ backline proved to be the equal-best in the competition alongside Manchester City, conceding a measly 33 goals all season.
Yet Howe’s side were all-action in attack with 68 goals scored to give them the third-best goal differential.
Perhaps the best example of Newcastle’s ruthlessness going forward arrived during their 6-1 victory over Tottenham in which Howe’s side scored five in the first 21 minutes.
With Champions League football secured, there’s expectation Newcastle will once again make bigger waves in the transfer market.
But this season has proven Howe’s side will be a force to be reckoned with going forward in a major warning sign to the Premier League’s elite.
Newcastle have returned to the Champions League after two decades away. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
5. Liverpool
Grade: D
In a parallel universe, Liverpool sign Darwin Nunez and address their pressing need for a midfield refresh as they mount yet another title challenge.
Instead, the Reds did snap up Nunez from Benfica, but failed to sign a new midfielder in what has since proven to be one of the biggest mistakes during Jurgen Klopp’s time in Liverpool.
Even then, Nunez was sent off in just his second Premier League game after Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen goaded him to the point where the Reds star felt compelled to headbutt his rival.
It was rather symbolic for Liverpool’s season, as they failed to find much of a rhythm, if at all, until it was far too late.
Granted, crippling injury issues hampered the Reds’ campaign as talismanic winger Mohamed Salah came to grips with life without Sadio Mane on the left flank.
But the critics who pointed to Klopp’s infamous seventh season syndrome were vindicated as Liverpool slumped to their lowest points total in seven years amid embarrassing defeats to the likes of Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Bournemouth.
Although the Reds were unbeaten in their last 11 games and won seven of those, it papered over a significant amount of cracks that surfaced in a season to forget but was somehow good enough to seal a Europa League spot.
A highlight of Liverpool’s season has certainly been the positional change of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the latter stages of the campaign, as his hybrid midfield and defensive role worked wonders.
Whether we see more of that next season remains to be seen, but if Liverpool fail to enact the midfield refresh it so desperately needs in the off-season, treacherous waters lie ahead in Merseyside.
It was a season to forget for Liverpool. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
6. Brighton
Grade: A+
The Seagulls soared this campaign, with sixth place guaranteeing them European football for the first time in the club’s history! But it’s how they achieved such a lofty finish that makes this season so impressive – racking up a huge net profit on transfers around £80m.
In the off-season, they sold Marc Cucurella to Chelsea for £56m and Yves Bissouma to Spurs for £25m among a raft of big-name departures, while Leandro Trossard left for Arsenal in January for £21m.
And yet, Brighton’s incredible scouting team did it again, landing affordable signings who soon established themselves in the Premier League. The biggest outlay was £15m for left-back Pervis Estupinan, for example!
Brighton faced all sorts of problems this season, from midfielder Enock Mwepu being forced to retire with a heart condition, to losing manager Graham Potter to Chelsea in September.
But in true Brighton fashion, they overcame the obstacles and somehow looked even stronger – new manager Roberto de Zerbi implemented a thrilling attacking style of play that delivered in spades: their 72 goals was more than Manchester United (58) and Newcastle (68), for example.
They’ll lose more big players this off-season, of course. But it’s been a season for the ages – bring on Europe next time around.
Kaoru Mitoma has emerged as one of the breakout stars this season. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
7. Aston Villa
Grade: A-
Aston Villa were hurtling towards a relegation fight at the speed of light, but in the corridors of Craven Cottage after an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Fulham, a call was made which put the club on the path to Europe.
Steven Gerrard was sacked immediately after the Fulham defeat on October 20 with Villa out of the relegation zone only on goal difference having lost six of their opening 12 games.
Villa’s top brass went out and replaced the Liverpool legend with Villarreal boss and serial Europa League winner Unai Emery.
What a masterstroke of a decision that turned out to be.
Emery won his first game in charge as Villa boss with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United and they never looked back.
Although the club had a brief wobble in February with losses to Leicester, Arsenal and Manchester City in which they leaked 11 goals, Emery got the team back on track.
Villa would go on to win 10 of their final 15 games of the season as they slowly climbed up the ladder to eventually finish in seventh and secure a spot in the Europa Conference League play-off round.
Emery’s remarkable attention to detail brought the best out of his troops as Ollie Watkins recorded a 15-goal haul while Tyrone Mings was a colossus at the back.
With more investment promised for the summer, it’s only upwards from here for the Midlands side.
“Hello, is that the Europa Conference League?” (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
8. Tottenham
Grade: C-
If you end the season on your third manager, it’s evident something has not gone right.
That’s exactly how Tottenham Hotspur’s season transpired as Antonio Conte departed in acrimonious circumstances and his assistant Cristian Stellini wasn’t far behind after an ill-fated four-game spell as interim boss.
It was a disaster of a season for Spurs, especially considering the pre-season expectations coming off a strong finish to the end of last-season boosted by the £50 million signing of Richarlison.
Instead, Heung-Min Son failed to recreate his magical form of last season, the defence was carved open time and time again while Spurs struggled to find any sort of attacking fluidity.
The burden fell squarely on the broad shoulders of talismanic striker Harry Kane who, to his credit, managed to end the season with a stunning tally of 30 goals.
Under Conte, Spurs battled to get into games and often found themselves behind on the scoresheet first.
The fiery Italian eventually blew his gasket when his side threw away a 3-1 lead against Southampton to draw 3-3 and delivered an explosive press conference where he gave some home truths.
His right-hand man Stellini tried and failed to galvanise the squad as the damage quickly became irreparable following a loss to Bournemouth and a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle.
Ryan Mason held down the fort as caretaker but there was precious little he could do as Spurs won just two of their final eight games to ultimately finish eighth and miss out on European football for the first time in 13 years.
It was certainly a season that Spurs fans will be desperate to forget.
Harry Kane was the only bright spot in an otherwise dull season for Tottenham. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
9. Brentford
Grade: A
What a season for the Bees. They avoided the typical ‘sophomore slump’ that afflicts teams in their second season after promotion, and indeed moved up from 13th to ninth. Behind that rise was an improved ability to scrape points from tough positions, turning losses into draws – after seven draws and 18 losses last year, this season they picked up 14 draws and just nine defeats. Their impressive year was capped off by doing the double over champions Man City.
The Bees were very well-drilled in defence and surprisingly prolific in attack thanks in large part to the rise of Ivan Toney (20 goals in 33) – before his eight month ban due to betting breaches.
Centre-back Ben Mee, signed on a free transfer from Burnley, played like a man transformed, while David Raya was one of the Premier League’s standout keepers.
Moving forward, the big hope for Aussie fans is that young winger Lachlan Brook, who spent this year on loan to League Two side Crewe Alexandra, can earn a shot at a Premier League debut next year.
Brentford avoided the famous second-season slump. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
10. Fulham
Grade: B
After several years of bouncing between the Premier League and the Championship to earn the unfortunate tag of being a ‘yoyo club’, Fulham finally enjoyed a season of consolidation.
Given their history of successive promotions and relegations, pundits could be forgiven for tipping Fulham to go straight back down.
However, the Cottagers looked anything but relegation fodder under the tutelage of Marco Silva.
Star forward Aleksandar Mitrovic picked up right where he left off from the Championship, scoring six goals in Fulham’s opening eight games to have the London side as high as sixth.
Fulham also returned from the World Cup break in scintillating fashion, winning four on the bounce including a 2-1 triumph over local rivals Chelsea.
In fact, Silva’s side went into March sitting pretty in sixth spot on the table.
But from that moment onwards, the Cottagers slid further and further down.
Seven losses from their next nine games dropped Fulham down to 10th as their rivals passed them by, a position they would ultimately finish the season in.
Mitrovic, a notoriously feisty figure, was also handed an eight-game suspension for pushing the referee during Fulham’s FA Cup loss against Manchester United on March 19.
He ended the season with 14 goals while Fulham’s next top scorer was shared between 34-year-old winger Willian and back-up striker Carlos Vinicius with five.
Although Fulham’s season ended in disappointing fashion, they stayed up with plenty of breathing room.
That in itself should be considered a cracking season.
Mitrovic scored 14 goals for Fulham. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
11. Crystal Palace
Grade: C+
Crystal Palace proved that sometimes going back to your ex can actually be a good thing.
Expectations for the Eagles were high given how impressive they looked under Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira last season.
With a young core of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Cheick Doucoure coupled with the presence of talismanic winger Wilfried Zaha, Palace looked set to light up the league.
However, it never quite clicked for Palace.
After beating Aston Villa 3-1 in August, Vieira’s side failed to score more than two goals up until the Frenchman’s sacking in March.
The decision was made after Palace had gone on a 12-game winless run in which they scored a measly five goals and were at serious risk of being dragged into the relegation dogfight.
So, who better than to steer you to safety than your old flame, Roy Hodgson?
The former England boss (remember that?) came in on March 21 and immediately lifted the mood at the club both on and off the pitch.
Palace’s first game under Hodgson in his brief spell was a 2-1 win over Leicester City, before they smashed five past Leeds in the next game.
From Hodgson’s 10 games in charge, Palace went on to win five of those and lose only two as they secured an 11th place finish.
Eze took his game to a new level under Hodgson and finished as the club’s top scorer with 10 which ultimately earned him an England call-up.
At 75 years of age, it remains to be seen if Hodgson is Palace’s long term option in the Selhurst Park dugout.
But if this is his final act at his boyhood club, what a way to bow out.
Eberechi Eze was Palace’s top scorer. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
12. Chelsea
Grade: F
It’s hard to express just how woeful the Blues have been this year.
Expectations were high after a multibillion-dollar takeover in pre-season from a consortium led by American Todd Boehly. And when he splashed the cash in both transfer windows, a record-breaking 600 million pounds in total, those expectations only rose.
But money can’t buy happiness, and their scattergun approach to transfers resulted in a hodgepodge, bloated squad where some players were unable to even be registered for the Champions League or Premier League.
Many of the big-money signings have failed to live up to expectations – and it’s been a similarly ugly season for managers.
Thomas Tuchel was bundled out in short order after clashing with the new ownership. Graham Potter didn’t fare any better, being dumped out in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup before being axed in early April. Frank Lampard, brought back as an interim boss, couldn’t prevent them from their worst-ever points haul. New manager Mauricio Pochettino has an extremely tough task on his hands.
Despite spending the big bucks, Chelsea finished in the lower half of the table. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
13. Wolves
Grade: C-
Death, taxes and Wolves struggling to score goals.
It’s been an issue that plagued the club last season and it reared its ugly head again, with the Black Country club scoring the fewest goals of anyone this season with 31.
The honour for the club’s top scorer was shared between star midfielder Ruben Neves and Daniel Podence, who both scored six league goals.
Bruno Lage began the season as Wolves coach but lasted just eight league games as the atmosphere turned poisonous, with the club scoring three goals in that space.
The club attempted to bring in Michael Beale, who was managing Queens Park Rangers at the time, but he elected to stay in London as Wolves were left flailing under the caretaker management of Steve Davis.
At the World Cup break, Wolves were in last place with only eight goals scored all season long.
Enter Julen Lopetegui.
The former Spain boss immediately turned the ship around at Molineux, winning four of his first seven league games as the club slowly pulled away from the relegation zone and into the comfort of the mid-table peloton.
Although there was some inconsistency towards the end, Premier League safety was secured which means a job well done by Lopetegui.
Wolves fans will hope he teaches his players how to find the back of the net with more regularity in the summer.
Julen Lopetegui guided Wolves to safety. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
14. West Ham
Grade: D+
If you look at the Premier League in isolation, it’s been a thoroughly disappointing season for the Hammers. Having finished sixth and seventh in the two seasons prior (respectively), this year’s 14th represented a significant drop-off. They won five fewer games, with the biggest issue a misfiring attack that managed just 42 goals. That came despite splashing £35.5m on striker Gianluca Scamacca from Serie A, who managed just three goals in 16 league appearances in a disappointing and injury-hit debut campaign. The towering 24-year-old now seems likely to depart. In fact, West Ham had the fourth-highest net transfer spend in the Premier League (per Transfermarkt) with €172.45m.
There were promising signs from a number of the signings, and most are still coming into the best years of their career. Meanwhile, the Hammers again enjoyed a strong season in Europe, reaching the final of the third-level Europa Conference League. They’ll face Fiorentina on June 8 AEST in the club’s first European final since 1976.
Win, and their difficult league campaign will largely be forgotten – and they’ll earn qualification to the Europa League next year, to boot.
Lose, and there’s no more excuses for a very underwhelming campaign. And that’s without even mentioning the seemingly inevitable sale of superstar midfielder Declan Rice.
Declan Rice could have played his last season for the Hammers. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
15. Bournemouth
Grade: B+
Before the season started, expectations were low for the promoted club. Manager Scott Parker publicly raged at the ownership and board in the opening weeks, labelling his squad “ill-equipped at this level” – and to be fair, he was right.
And when the Cherries copped bruising defeats to Man City (4-0), Arsenal (3-0) and Liverpool (9-0), Parker was the first manager out the door.
That was just the start of a rollercoaster season. They immediately went on a six-game unbeaten run – then by January, they were back in the relegation zone.
From being dead last after 25 games (early March) – they then went on a stunning run, winning six of their next nine games. It secured their survival comfortably, despite losing their final four games of the campaign. Gary O’Neil’s turnaround of a struggling side – and crucially, the ownership change in December that ensured cash was available for January signings – delivered one of the stories of the season.
Dominic Solanke was pivotal to keeping the Cherries up. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
16. Nottingham Forest
Grade: B
Nottingham Forest were back in the English top flight and boy, did they have some new faces in the squad.
The Reds signed over 30 players over the course of the season, but it was made out of necessity given the bare bones nature of the team before the season.
It was an approach fraught with risk but with Steve Cooper at the helm, Forest fans had every reason to dream.
Yet those dreams soon became nightmares as Cooper quickly shot to the front of the sack race with Forest losing seven of their first 10 games to sit rock bottom of the ladder.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis, a figure who usually pulls the trigger, made the brave decision to stick with Cooper rather than twist.
It was a call that paid dividends.
Forest went on to record a famous win over Liverpool and enjoyed strong form at the start of the year, winning three and drawing two to move as high as 13th on the ladder.
But the dark clouds from the start of the season would quickly return as the Reds went 11 games without a win, losing eight in that same stretch.
Surely Marinakis would run out of patience with Cooper, especially given the carefree nature of managerial sackings this season?
Wrong.
The Greek boss came out in support of the embattled Cooper and it proved to be a masterstroke.
Forest won three of their last six, including wins over high-flying Brighton and Arsenal, to secure safety with a handful of games to spare.
Although some teams have been vindicated in their decisions to sack managers, Forest are a prime example of what can happen when you back the man in charge.
Considering how many new players he had to bed into the squad and his style of play, Cooper deserves to be in the conversation for manager of the year.
However, the Reds must address their worrying away form throughout the season as they won just once and scored 11 goals on their Premier League travels.
Forest signed over 30 players but somehow managed to survive. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
17. Everton
Grade: D
After escaping relegation last season with one game to spare, Everton simply had to improve this year. They didn’t. If anything, they managed to get worse. They won three fewer games and ended up on a measly 36 points, three fewer than last year! The only reason they survived the drop – besides a stunning Abdoulaye Doucoure goal on the final day – was because as bad as the Toffees were, their rivals were somehow even worse.
For all their on-field struggles – and there were many – Everton’s problems largely stem from what’s happening off the field.
The club has been running at a significant loss under owner Farhad Moshiri: a £44.7m deficit in their most recent financial accounts (2021-22 season). The focus of the board, meanwhile, has been the building of a £500m new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey.
And this season, the Toffees were hit with charges from the Premier League over financial sustainability. The club denies the allegations.
Moshiri has been seeking investment in the club in the form of a minor shareholder – but his search has now stretched on for months. In the meantime, the Toffees have turned into a ‘selling club’. They sold last season’s top-scorer Richarlison to Tottenham for £60m, and doubled down in January by offloading talented youngster Anthony Gordon to Newcastle for £45m. They were one of just four Premier League teams to end the season with a positive net transfer spend – i.e. making more money from transfers than they spent.
Given their financial situation, survival might seem like enough. Given their history, the fans deserve much better.
Everton’s final-day win sparked a pitch invasion from joyous supporters. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
18. Leicester
Grade: F
Seven years after their Cinderella-like fairytale title, the Foxes are going down.
Given the squad at their disposal, they are too good to be in this sad position. Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, Kelechi Iheanacho – the attacking riches at their disposal were enviable. And goals flowed freely – their 51 scored was more than any team in the bottom half, and indeed level with seventh-placed Aston Villa’s tally! But without a capable defence, things fell apart.
The squad was gutted by departures before the season, and the funds just weren’t there to replace the outgoing stars – especially with the club’s bloated wage bill combined with the money already spent on plans for stadium development.
Harry Souttar’s Premier League dream has taken a momentary pause. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
19. Leeds
Grade: E
Three games into the season and things were looking rosy for Leeds.
Two wins from three games, including a 3-0 victory over Chelsea, had Elland Road bouncing once more after a summer in which they lost superstar duo Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips.
But that giddiness quickly gave way to anger and frustration.
Leeds went on to lose six of their next eight games to slide all the way down from third to 17th on the ladder.
Wins over Liverpool and Bournemouth bought the under-fire Jesse Marsch a brief respite going into the World Cup break, but it was business as usual upon the resumption of the season.
The wins dried up and Marsch (and Leeds fans, if we’re honest) was put out of his misery the day after a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on February 5.
Former Watford boss Javi Gracia was parachuted in to stop the rot and, to his credit, led the team to three wins.
Or, for the percentage enthusiasts, 43 per cent of Leeds’ total wins.
After a 2-1 win over Forest, Leeds shipped 11 goals in two games against Crystal Palace and Liverpool while only scoring twice.
Gracia’s caretaker position became untenable after an embarrassing 4-1 loss away to Bournemouth.
So, who better to call in to save your season with four games to go?
None other than big Sam Allardyce.
With a £2.5 million carrot awaiting him should he guide Leeds to safety, why wouldn’t the perennial Premier League firefighter take on a task most would have ran a mile from?
Well, that seven-figure payday will remain wishful thinking as Allardyce led the team to just a point from his four-game stint as Leeds were relegated after three seasons in the top flight.
Allardyce can’t be completely absolved of any blame, but many fingers must be pointed at Victor Orta, the club’s former sporting director who oversaw a summer spend on several unproven and young stars among other things.
It was nice having you back while it lasted, Leeds.
Leeds were relegated after three seasons back in the Premier League. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
20. Southampton
Grade: F
The less we write about the Saints, the better.
Three different managers tried to turn around the Titanic, but like that famous cautionary tale, the Saints are going down.
They were trounced 4-0 by Spurs on the opening day, which left them dead last. It’s a position they would became all too familiar with this season. From December 26 onwards, the Saints spent 22 of the final 23 rounds rooted to the bottom of the ladder. In the end, they finished with as many losses – 25 – as points.
That truly dismal record came despite managing to ward off strong interest in superstar midfielder James Ward-Prowse in pre-season. In fact, they went on a signing spree that saw them tally a net transfer spend of €138.2m – the eighth-highest spend in the division. Compare that to their relegated rivals: Leeds had a €31.1m net spend, while Leicester had a €33.4m net profit.
But the majority of Southampton’s signings were unproven youngsters – a high-risk gamble that flopped in cataclysmic fashion.
The Saints’ 11th-straight season in the league will be their last, and the looming exit of Ward-Prowse will be just the start of the painful days ahead.
The two most recent Ballon d’Or winners are set to sign staggering nine-figure salaries and link up with the same team in what would be an almighty coup.
Two clubs are set to head-to-head to secure West Ham United skipper Declan Rice while Paris Saint-Germain weigh up a move for a Premier League star.
Catch up on all of the biggest whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!
Galetti reports Messi will earn an eye-watering salary of $500 million, although the length of the contract was not specified.
Messi’s switch is expected to be confirmed at the end of the Ligue 1 season which is when his deal with Paris Saint-Germain, owned by Qatar Sports Investments, expires.
It’s not just Messi who could be making the move to the Middle East, either.
The Independent reports Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is “seriously considering” a deal to also move to Al-Hilal worth $164 million a year.
The Spanish giants remain hopeful Benzema will stay on for another year before moving on to pastures new, but the chance to earn a nine-figure salary at age 35 could prove to be too tempting.
The thought of Messi and Benzema running around together on the same team in Saudi Arabia would certainly be an interesting one, especially with the duo’s staggering salaries.
Lionel Messi is reportedly set to sign a monster deal to join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Jean-Christophe Verhaegen / AFP)Source: AFP
PSG EYE SHOCK SWOOP FOR GUNNERS SKIPPER
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard enjoyed a season to remember as the Gunners came up just short in their unlikely title challenge.
The Norwegian bagged 15 goals and laid on eight assists across 37 Premier League games and will no doubt want better figures next season.
However, Odegaard’s performances did not go unnoticed by Europe’s heavy hitters and one could made a big splash in an attempt to secure his services.
The Daily Mail reports Paris Saint-Germain are weighing up a shock move for Odegaard as the French side looks to reinvigorate its midfield.
However, the same report claims PSG could find it difficult to prise Odegaard away from London given he appears settled and happy in the English capital.
With Odegaard only 24 years old, it’s impossible to rule out a move in the future at the very least.
Martin Odegaard is reportedly wanted by PSG. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
HAMMER STAR SWEEPSTAKES HEAT UP AS GERMAN GIANTS WEIGH HUGE BID
It’s no secret West Ham United skipper Declan Rice is going to be a man in demand this summer.
Hammers boss David Moyes appears resigned to losing the midfielder, although the club is unlikely to budge from its valuation of around £100m for the star.
Arsenal are one of the teams leading the race for Rice, but they could be trumped by a European rival.
The Daily Mirror reports Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich are prepared to shell out £95 million to snatch Rice from right underneath the Gunners’ noses.
Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has reportedly made contact with Rice to gauge his interest in a move as the England international looks to fulfil his dream of playing in the Champions League.
Who knows where Rice will end up, but it seems certain he won’t be with West Ham once next season begins.
Regardless of how their final two fixtures play out, the Gunners will finish second and return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
But considering Arsenal had been top of the ladder for the majority of the season, there will always be a sense of what could have been had the wheels not fallen off at the worst time possible.
The Gunners bottled a 2-0 lead in successive games against Liverpool and West Ham in April which gave the pessimists all the ammunition needed to tee off on Arsenal’s title hopes.
Two goals in the final two minutes against last-placed Southampton at the Emirates rescued a point in what would have otherwise been an immensely humiliating result.
And when they travelled to the Etihad to take on Manchester City, the Gunners copped a 4-1 thrashing in a gentle reminder as to why Pep Guardiola’s side are the Premier League’s top dogs.
Consecutive wins against Chelsea and Newcastle perhaps provided some brief respite, but the 3-0 humbling by Brighton was as brutal a reality check Arsenal could have received.
After the loss, Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard cut a disconsolate figure and conceded defeat in the title race.
“It is not a good feeling at the moment,” Odegaard said.
Mikel Arteta’s side blew their lead at the top of the Premier League. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“The way we played, particularly in the second half, I don’t know what happened to be honest. It feels like there is no hope now.”
So, what went wrong for the Gunners?
Well, according to seven-time Premier League winner Roy Keane, the pressure-cooker of being in a title race simply caught up to a fresh-faced side.
“I think we saw a team today that was physically and mentally shot. It really was,” Keane told Sky Sports.
“As soon as Brighton started flexing their muscles, passing and moving, looking sharp, they looked quicker and sharper.
“We have been saying for a few months that if they have a few injuries they will struggle and certainly they do not have the strength in depth of City. They [City] have the experience and depth in quality.
“Arsenal have just come up short. It is as simple as that.”
Fellow Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes Manchester City cruising to a 3-0 win over Everton before the Gunners even kicked off had an impact on their performance.
“I think what we saw today was an Arsenal team that might have just got their hopes up with Everton after that performance against Brighton, at Goodison Park with City leaving a few players out.
Saka was devastated after the loss to Brighton. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“Maybe they thought they could just get back into the title race today.
“When City have gone and won 3-0 that has obviously filtered through to the Arsenal players and had the impact on their legs that sometimes it does have. They have just been a bit deflated.
“Today, I think the reality of City winning at Everton has just hit them like a tonne of bricks.”
Although there is many a glass half-empty perspective among the fanbase in the immediate aftermath, Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira believed Arteta’s side will learn plenty from the brutal experience.
“There’s a couple of pieces they’re missing to be a bit more closer to Man City,” Vieira told Sky Sports.
“What is really important is the experience. Players going through this period will gain this kind of experience.
“It was quite challenging because in the last 10 games, they are playing games to win and when you play those the pressure is different.
“They will learn from this situation they are living at the moment and that will make them stronger next year.”
On the other side of the debate, the question must be asked: will Arsenal ever have as good a chance to win the Premier League like this season?
With fellow London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea desperately struggling for form, it blew the top four race wide open.
A 3-0 defeat to Brighton killed off the Gunners’ title hopes. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Granted, Arsenal never looked like dropping out of the Champions League spots at any stage.
But a fresh face in the top four coupled with Chelsea’s new manager search and Manchester United nearing a potential sale of the club has a former Crystal Palace midfielder worried for the Gunners.
“I think the top four didn’t last season. But I do agree that clubs will come stronger next season.
“Newcastle will be a lot stronger next season, they’ll be backed unbelievably.
“Pochettino, if he gets hold of Chelsea, they’ll be brilliant.
“I see something in Manchester United. If they can get it over the line with the takeover, they’re a force to be reckoned with.
“They’re (Arsenal) going to be competing for top four next season, but I don’t think they will be competing for the title next season.”
With the added lure of Champions League football next season, Arteta can bring in bigger and better names to the club to mount another title challenge next season.
But for the Gunners’ band of fresh-faced stars, the experience of being in a title race will no doubt have bonded them together like little else could.
They’ve played a scintillating brand of football over the course of the season and, with two games remaining, could still end it on a high.
A late flurry from Arsenal saved their bacon against the league’s worst team as their title challenge is now at real risk of falling apart.
The Gunners’ bitter North London rivals fared even worse, while the relegation race took a big twist as one team looks to pull off yet another miracle escape.
Review the weekend that was in the latest edition of Premier League Talking Points!
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Just 21 minutes had gone at St James’ Park and dejected Tottenham fans were already streaming to the exits after watching their troubled side torn apart by Newcastle.
Those Tottenham devotees had set off for Tyneside with hopes of a victory that would catapult their team back into the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top four finish.
Instead, they made the long journey home assailed by depressing thoughts of Tottenham being cast into Champions League exile as they face an uncertain future on and off the pitch.
Tottenham’s 6-1 defeat was the nadir of a wretched campaign that had already featured a spectacular rant from since departed boss Antonio Conte, in which the Italian called his players “selfish” and criticised the culture of a club without a major trophy since 2008.
Sitting six points behind fourth placed Manchester United and having played two games more than Erik ten Hag’s side, it will take a miracle for fifth placed Tottenham to get into the top four.
Interim Spurs boss Cristian Stellini had no words for his side’s shocking display against Newcastle. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“There are no words to explain a performance like this. The first 25 minutes were maybe the worst I have ever seen,” interim boss Cristian Stellini said.
“What I can say is we have to apologise to everyone. Today is my responsibility.”
“This first half of the first half, when Newcastle United scored five of their six goals, was arguably the worst extended sequence of football you will ever see from a Premier League side,” Pitt-Brooke wrote.
“This was a non-performance from a non-team, perfectly representing a manager-less, direction-less club.”
Pitt-Brooke added: “Tottenham were tactically brainless, playing a dangerously high line while never putting any pressure on the ball.
“Newcastle would have had a harder time playing against training-pitch mannequins.”
Spurs’ season is imploding before our very eyes. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ARSENAL SURRENDER TITLE MOMENTUM AS PL ‘FINAL’ LOOMS
Gabriel Jesus insists Arsenal are ready for their “final” against Manchester City despite a damaging 3-3 draw with Southampton that surrendered the title race momentum.
Mikel Arteta’s side have cracked under the intense pressure of chasing a first title since 2004.
With relentless City breathing down their necks, the Gunners drew for a third successive game, recovering from 3-1 down against Southampton to earn a point that felt more like a defeat in the cold light of day.
Despite Bukayo Saka’s 90th minute equaliser, which came two minutes after Martin Odegaard’s goal sparked Arsenal’s late escape, the nervous north Londoners head to City on Wednesday knowing they are in serious danger of blowing the title.
Arsenal have a five-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s second placed team, but the champions have two games in hand and defeat at the Etihad Stadium could prove fatal.
“We have to face them like a final. This is the most important game of the season for us,” Gunners forward Jesus said of playing his old club.
“We have to manage ourselves to come back and be focused again. This is the Premier League, it’s so difficult to win this competition.”
Arsenal drop points in thrilling draw | 02:21
GREAT ESCAPE PT 2? FOXES’ BIG WIN CHANGES SHAKES UP FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
Leicester and West Ham earned valuable victories to boost their survival bids, leaving Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Everton in the relegation zone.
Timothy Castagne’s first goal since August gave Leicester a precious 2-1 win over Wolves as the Foxes climbed out of the bottom three.
Leicester’s first victory in 10 league games was Dean Smith’s maiden three points since he replaced the sacked Brendan Rodgers.
But Leicester travel to fellow strugglers Leeds on Tuesday before hosting Everton next Monday.
“It means nothing, we need to keep climbing out of there and separate ourselves as much as we can,” Smith said.
West Ham’s 4-0 rout of Bournemouth lifted them six points clear of the relegation zone thanks to goals from Michail Antonio, Lucas Paqueta, Declan Rice and Pablo Fornals.
Bottom of the table Southampton were kicking themselves after surrendering two late goals in their 3-3 draw at Arsenal.
Third bottom Everton’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace was little help to their survival prospects, while second bottom Nottingham Forest were beaten 3-2 at Liverpool.
Arsenal staged an incredible late fightback to rescue a 3-3 draw against Southampton, but the Premier League leaders were still left frustrated by a damaging result that put their title challenge in jeopardy.
Mikel Arteta’s side escaped with a point despite trailing 3-1 with just two minutes of normal time left at the Emirates Stadium.
Martin Odegaard’s goal sparked Arsenal’s revival and Bukayo Saka snatched the equaliser in stoppage-time.
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Ramsdale blunder costs Gunners dearly | 01:12
But, despite the thrilling escape, Arteta finished with his head in hands because the Gunners will travel to second placed Manchester City on Thursday [AEST] knowing it is Pep Guardiola’s team who control the destiny of the title.
Arsenal are five points clear of City, but the champions have two games in hand due to their involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals against Sheffield United on Saturday.
If City win or draw against Arsenal and then win their remaining matches, they will be crowned champions no matter what the north Londoners do.
“There are bodies all over the pitch,” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports after the fulltime whistle was blown, describing the end to the game as “madness”.
“It’s been exhausting.”
“I’ve got no affiliation to either team, that was just a magnificent game,” added Jamie Carragher.
“Credit to both teams. A lot of mistakes in there of course, but the character Arsenal showed; the quality Southampton showed in the first half. Absolutely fantastic.
“Yes, Arsenal came back, but they will still be devastated. It’s a huge result for everybody in the Premier League. Man City will be watching, and four or five teams near the bottom will be delighted with what Arsenal have done near the end.”
It was bittersweet for Arsenal. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
After blowing successive two-goal leads in damaging 2-2 draws against West Ham and Liverpool in their previous two matches, Arsenal at least showed tremendous spirit to reverse the trend.
Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale had handed Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz the opening goal after just 27 seconds.
In a painful twist for Arsenal fans, it was former Gunners forward Theo Walcott who doubled bottom of the table Southampton’s lead.
Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back for Arsenal before Duje Caleta-Car’s headed Southampton’s third.
Odegaard and Saka ensured Arsenal avoided a first defeat in 10 league games. But City’s six successive league wins put Arsenal under intense pressure and Arteta’s young team are in danger of crumbling unless they can win their do-or-die showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal’s title hopefuls had the support of the last Gunners group to lift the trophy in 2004 as Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell joined the crowd at the Emirates.
But even the presence of that iconic trio couldn’t inspire them as the nerves tormenting Arteta’s team were laid bare by Ramsdale’s astonishing blunder inside the first minute.
Arsenal avoided total disaster by salvaging a draw. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Taking possession inside his own area, Ramsdale played a suicidal pass towards Thomas Partey that completely missed the midfielder on the edge of the area.
Alcaraz gleefully accepted the gift as he smashed his shot past the exposed Ramsdale to reduce the Emirates to stunned silence.
The anxiety pulsing through Arsenal, both on the pitch and in the stands, was palpable and Southampton struck again after another calamitous error from the hosts in the 14th minute.
Partey gave the ball away to Alcaraz and his sublime pass caught Gabriel Magalhaes out of position, allowing Walcott to surge into the area and slot past Ramsdale with unerring precision.
Walcott’s decision not to celebrate out of respect for his old club hardly softened the blow.
Oleksandr Zinchenko tried to rally Arsenal’s shell-shocked stars as he called them into a huddle immediately after the goal.
Arsenal reduced the deficit in the 20th minute when Saka powered down the right flank and pulled his cross back towards Martinelli, who caressed a fine volley past Gavin Bazunu from 10 yards.
But Caleta-Car looked to have delivered the hammer blow in the 66th minute. James Ward-Prowse’s corner curled towards the far post and Caleta-Car rose highest to head home from close-range.
To their immense credit, Arsenal refused to surrender and Odegaard beat Bazunu with a superb curler from the edge of the area in the 88th minute.
Pouring forward in waves, Arsenal scented a remarkable escape and Saka poached the equaliser in the 90th minute with a clinical finish after Reiss Nelson’s shot was pushed out by Bazunu.
Arsenal could have stolen the victory when Leandro Trossard fired against the bar while Nelson’s deflected strike whistled agonisingly wide moments later to leave the Gunners’ title hopes hanging by a slender thread.
