Another thrilling instalment of the world’s top football league has come and gone. We take a look back at the best, worst and the plain ugly of the 2014-15 Premier league season.
Best team: This one is a no-brainer, really. Led by Jose Mourinho, Chelsea was simply dominant from day one right until the final weekend, consistent on a weekly basis and never really looked in danger of letting go of the trophy. The signing of Brazilian Diego Costa completed the puzzle for the West London club, with the striker going on to score 20 goals and finish third in the golden boot standings, despite missing 12 matches. All up, the Blues netted 73 times and conceded just 32 on the back of the league’s sturdiest defence. A massive eight points was the gap at the campaign’s conclusion, with the title effectively in their hands with three matches remaining. That supremacy was just deserts for the ever-special management of the special one, who indeed kept the blue flag flying high.
Biggest surprise packet: After a mass exodus over summer, including the manager, we all thought this club would be entrenched in the bottom-half, possibly battling relegation. But to the credit of everyone involved, Southampton defied all expectations and finished a very respectable seventh, only four points off fifth place and automatic Europa League qualification. New boss Ronald Koeman introduced a raft of new signings and by the end of the season, the club remained in a similar position to where it was under Mauricio Pochettino, if not better. The Saints look set to finally lose hot property Morgan Schneiderlin over the summer, but can look forward to the return of Jay Rodriguez as they push for a return to European football.
Biggest disappointment: There are a number of candidates for this award with disappointments strewn across the league, whether it be competing and failing for the title, attempted to break into the top four or simply staying up in the top flight. With that in mind, three teams will have to be content to share this award.
For failing miserably to defend its league crown, Manchester City is the first club to take home this gong. Despite having a seemingly bottomless pit of money to dip into, and with an already pricy squad to choose from, the Citizens still could only manage to secure second after being emphatically dethroned by new champions Chelsea. Many of City’s recent signings failed to impress, with Bacary Sagna, Eliaqium Mengala, Edin Dzeko and Wildried Bony among those to struggle. City often went through roller-coaster periods in terms of form. That ultimately cost them an unassailable amount of points and could well see Manuel Pellegrini lose his job.
Another club that was massively disappointing was Everton. After an impressive first season under FA Cup-winning manager Roberto Martinez, the Merseysiders never managed to hit the lofty heights of last season, with the Europa League ‘curse’ appearing to strike the club. It hit its lowest point after enduring a six-game winless run midway through the campaign, a period that was its worst in almost a decade. A mini-revival ensued late in the season, but by then it was too late to salvage the situation, and the Toffees finished a lowly 11th.
Finally, after going through a great deal of personnel turnover in both transfer windows, Hull City unsuccessfully dodged the trap door, claiming the final relegation place after failing to defeat Manchester United and seeing other results go against them on the final day. The aforementioned player movement brought with it almost £40 million in signings. Among the big-name additions by the Tigers were Mohamed Diame, Abel Hernandez and Gaston Ramirez, but even that was not enough to keep them up. Victory on 29 April over Liverpool seemed as though it may spark life back into the Yorkshire club, however, it would soon slump again, defeated at home by Burnley just over a week later.
(Dis)honourable mentions: Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool.
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Player of the season: We have to agree with the PFA on this one. Eden Hazard dazzled on pitches across England and can add our player of the season award to his ever-growing collection. The Belgian scored 14 goals and notched up 14 assists; among those assists was another 91 chances created. The 24-year-old also finished atop Squawka’s performance index with a score of 1,818, almost 400 ahead of the next best, Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla. Let the fact that Hazard is only 24 sink in for a minute. He is only getting better from here. That is a scary proposition.
Honourable mentions: Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane.
Signing of the season: Arsene Wenger is often ridiculed for his reluctance to spend big, but when he does he seems to get it right most of the time. Wenger signed Alexis Sanchez from FC Barcelona over summer for an estimated £35 million, and it did not take long for the Chilean to win over the Gunners faithful, setting the league alight in its early days. Sanchez went on to be one of the season’s most lethal forwards, netting 16 times in the league with an additional eight assists.
https://youtu.be/AYrFezNTkyo
Honourable mentions: Esteban Cambiasso, Cesc Fabregas, Ryan Bertrand.
Worst signing of the season: Well, there has been a few, but one stands out amongst others. No prizes for guessing who, though. That’s right, Mario Balotelli was by far and away the worst signing of the season. Despite already being one of the most scrutinised players on earth, the Italian was signed from AC Milan for £16 million, described by manager Brendan Rogers as a “calculated risk”. Unfortunately for him, that risk proved one not worth taking, and the man signed to replace the free-scoring Luis Suarez flopped, scoring only once in the league and starting all of four games. Why always you, Mario?
(Dis)honourable mentions: Hatem Ben Arfa, Falcao, Emmanuel Riviere.
Best young player (U-23): This Premier League season brought with it the introduction and exposition of some fantastic young talent. The best of which was Tottenham’s lethal centre-forward Harry Kane, who took the league by storm and presented Spurs fans everywhere with a new idol. Kane, still only 21, burst onto the scene after scoring a late winner against Aston Villa back in November and has not looked back, starting every match since then, netting a number of goals equivalent to his age. In the meantime, Kane debuted for England, scored, and stepped in as captain of Spurs. All in one season.
Honourable mentions: John Stones, Hector Bellerin, James Ward-Prowse, Ryan Mason and Danny Ings.
Goal of the season: This. You’re welcome.
Charlie Adam’s long-range strike just nudges out this screamer.
https://youtu.be/p_q8wWBoGvs
Philippe Countinho’s howitzer against Southampton was also one for the highlights reel.
Match of the season: Our match of the season came after just five weeks. Leicester City had enjoyed quite a good start to life in the Premier League, however it was the Foxes’ 5-3 win over Manchester United at the King Power Stadium was what really ignited the hopes of the fans. After falling behind 2-0 and 3-1, all seemed lost, but for an unbelievable twist of fate. The new boys put together a 20-minute burst that saw four goals scored, and with it one of the most famous victories in the club’s history, in a season that ultimately ended in remarkable triumph.
Feel-good story of the season: Continuing on with the theme of Leicester City, their incredible escape from the drop was one that warmed many a heart in the football community, unless you support Derby County, Nottingham Forrest or any of the three relegated clubs. The Foxes seemed certain to be relegated as the campaign’s curtain call drew near, yet they picked up 22 points of the available 27 in the final nine matches, leaving their fellow strugglers trailing behind.
The Benny Hill award: Newcastle United fans must be becoming increasingly used to disappointment. Likewise, there is no doubt they are becoming increasingly frustrated with the management of the club. And we understand their frustration, so our Benny Hill award goes to the boardroom of Newcastle United: Mike Ashley and his fellow administrators. They can celebrate our award with the same sense of pride that they celebrated the club’s announced £20 million operating profits, an achievement that seems to surpass all else in terms of importance in the boardroom at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle fans with a open-top bus parade outside St. James’ Park today to celebrate being ‘Balance Sheet Champions’. pic.twitter.com/Sa0MwwLXGc
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) April 5, 2014
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