It seems a common theme in the media this past few days but here is my own look at every team in the Premier League and how they did this season compared with my pre-season predictions.
Arsenal
- Predicted finish: 4th
- Actual finish: 3rd
- Best Moment: 8 match win streak to solidify a Champion’s League place
- Worst Moment: Losing to Monaco in the Champion’s League
- Best Signing: Alexis Sanchez
- Worst Signing: Gabriel Paulista
- Player of the Year: Alexis Sanchez
- Young Player of the Year: Hector Bellerin
Thanks to the efforts of Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal were able to stay within touching distance of the top four despite a pretty disappointing first few months. Arsenal’s second half was nothing short of incredible, losing just three times in the new year largely due to a great run of form for both Olivier Giroud and ex-Madridista Mesut Ozil. While many Arsenal fans will be happy to be in the Champion’s League again (and not finish 4th), expectations next season will likely be for a legitimate title push.
Aston Villa
- Predicted finish: 17th
- Actual finish: 17th
- Best Moment: Beating rivals West Bromwich Albion to reach the FA Cup Final
- Worst Moment: 659 minutes without a goal
- Best Signing: Scott Sinclair
- Worst Signing: Joe Cole
- Player of the Year: Fabian Delph
- Young Player of the Year: Jack Grealish
Having had 9+ match winless streaks and a 659 minute goal drought, manager Paul Lambert was sacked during a run that left them on the edge of relegation. Tim Sherwood took the job on Valentine’s Day and was able to earn 5 wins in 13 attempts after Lambert had only managed 5 wins in 25. Belgian forward Christian Benteke re-found his form scoring 11 of his 13 goals after Sherwood was appointed, and almost single-handedly fired them to safety. Aston Villa face Arsenal in the 134th FA Cup Final.
Burnley
- Predicted finish: 20th
- Actual finish: 19th
- Best Moment: Defeating Manchester City 1-0 at home
- Worst Moment: Being relegated despite winning in MW36
- Best Signing: George Boyd
- Worst Signing: Lukas Jutkiewicz
- Player of the Year: Danny Ings
- Young Player of the Year: Kieran Trippier
If there was an award for ‘hardest working team‘ it would surely go to Burnley. Despite many teams sacking their managers in the first year up, Burnley stuck with the blue-collar Sean Dyche and should be applauded for it. Young Englishman Danny Ings led the team with 11 goals and proved himself to be a valuable commodity in the coming transfer window. Having maintained a healthy setup and not spending beyond their means, you can be sure they will be back in the Premier League soon.
Chelsea
- Predicted Finish: 1st
- Actual Finish: 1st
- Best Moment: Winning the title
- Worst Moment: Falling to Paris Saint Germain in the Champion’s League
- Best Signing: Diego Costa
- Worst Signing: Juan Cuadrado
- Player of the Year: Eden Hazard
- Young Player of the Year: Kurt Zouma
Chelsea won the Premier League, much to no-one’s surprise. Save for Tottenham Hotspur finishing match week two as leaders, Chelsea led just about pole to pole in one of the least exciting title races in recent memory. Newcomers Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, and Thibaut Courtois all lived up to their billing and impressed from day one. While a 5-3 loss to Tottenham caused manager Jose Mourinho to be a bit more cautious in the second half, no one can doubt that the best team won the league.
Crystal Palace
- Predicted Finish: 14th
- Actual Finish: 10th
- Best Moment: Winning against Tottenham on Pardew’s debut
- Worst Moment: Pulis leaving two day before the season started
- Best Signing: Wilfried Zaha
- Worst Signing: Zeki Fryers
- Player of the Year: Scott Dann
- Young Player of the Year: Sullay Kaikai
Crystal Palace’s track record with signings has been arguably the best in the league for two years running. This trend spreads far beyond the realm of players, as Tony Pulis and now Alan Pardew have both worked their magic and pushed Crystal Palace to incredible finishes. With the return of Wilfried Zaha and the growth of Yannick Bolasie, Palace’s attack looks its most formidable in years. If they are able to sign an established striker (*cough* Charlie Austin) there is no telling how good Crystal Palace could be next year.
Everton
- Predicted Finish: 7th
- Actual Finish: 11th
- Best Moment: Beating Wolfsburg 4-1
- Worst Moment: losing 5-2 to Dynamo Kiev
- Best Signing: Gareth Barry
- Worst Signing: Samuel Eto’o
- Player of the Year: Phil Jagielka
- Young Player of the Year: John Stones
What a disaster. Coming off a 5th place finish in 2013/14, many expected Everton to continue pushing forward and legitimately challenge for a Champion’s League spot. Having signed strikers Romelu Lukaku and Samuel Eto’o this was meant to be one of the most devestating attacks in England. That obviously was not the case as Eto’o left in ignominy and Lukaku failed to live up to his large price tag. The defense clearly struggled this season having perhaps sipped the last dregs of rigidity left by David Moyes. Everton are too talented to do this poorly next season, but likely too flawed to challenge for the top four.
Hull City
- Predicted Finish: 9th
- Actual Finish: 18th
- Best Moment: 1-0 vs. Liverpool at home
- Worst Moment: Losing to Burnley 1-0 when a win would have guaranteed safety
- Best Signing: Michael Dawson
- Worst Signing: Hatem Ben Arfa
- Player of the Year: Michael Dawson
- Young Player of the Year: Andy Robertson
Hull and Southampton were by far the most incorrect of my pre-season predictions. Having signed Tottenham captain Michael Dawson, and a glut of attacking options (Abel Hernandez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez, and Tom Ince) I thought Hull would cruise to a top half finish. Instead, Hull’s attack proved anemic, finishing with the 3rd fewest chances created in the Premier League this season. To be fair most of their high-profile signings flopped which, combined with injuries, left manager Steve Bruce with a very thin squad.
Leicester City
- Predicted Finish: 16th
- Actual Finish: 14th
- Best Moment: Beating Manchester United 5-3 at home
- Worst Moment: Going 15 matches without a win (Sep 27 to Jan 3rd)
- Best Signing: Esteban Cambiasso
- Worst Signing: Danny Simpson
- Player of the Year: Esteban Cambiasso
- Young Player of the Year: Jeffrey Schlupp
Leicester truly had a season of two halves. Sitting dead last on New Year’s Eve, with just 13 points, Nigel Pearson’s side looked sure to go down. Leicester left things very late but earning an incredible 23 of their final 27 points guaranteed them a spot in next years Premier League. They must find a suitbale replacement for ‘1-year legend‘ Esteban Cambiasso, or else they will likely face a relegation battle again next season.
Liverpool
- Predicted Finish: 5th
- Actual Finish: 6th
- Best Moment: Beating Manchester City 2-1
- Worst Moment: Losing to Crystal Palace in Steven Gerrard’s last game at Anfield
- Best Signing: Emre Can
- Worst Signing: Dejan Lovren
- Player of the Year: Phillippe Coutinho
- Young Player of the Year: Raheem Sterling
Liverpool spent big in the summer to replace the outgoing Luis Suarez, and hoped it would help push them on to even bigger and better things. In the short-term, that definitely was not the case. A strikeforce of Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli, and Rickie Lambert managed to score a laughably low 7 goals. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had a very on and off season but returned to excellent form for the second half of the season, finishing with the second most league clean sheets. Much like Tottenham’s 2013 crop of players, Liverpool’s new boys struggled mightily and will be watched closely next season to see if they have what it takes to make it in the Premier League.
Manchester City
- Predicted Finish: 3rd
- Actual Finish: 2nd
- Best Moment: Defeating Bayern Munich 3-2 in the Champion’s League
- Worst Moment: Losing 4 of 5 (Mar. 14th- April 12th) to knock them out of the CL and Premier League title race.
- Best Signing: Fernando
- Worst Signing: Wilfried Bony
- Player of the Year: Sergio Aguero
- Young Player of the Year: N/A
Crazy to think that this was considered a ‘disappointing season‘ by Manchester City fans. Despite being able to laugh teams off the pitch on their day, Manuel Pellegirini’s men struggles with consistency cost them a shot at the title this season. The club’s over-reliance on Yaya Toure was exposed during the African Cup of Nations and must be remedied if they are to truly challenge for the title next season. Upgrades in pace and defense are also needed.
Manchester United
- Predicted Finish: 2nd
- Actual Finish: 4th
- Best Moment: Going undefeated in 10 matches (Nov 8th to Jan 1st) to go from 10th to 3rd
- Worst Moment: Losing 5-3 to Leicester in a thriller
- Best Signing: Ander Herrera
- Worst Signing: Angel di Maria
- Player of the Year: David de Gea
- Young Player of the Year: David de Gea
After a Moyes-esque start to the season, Louis van Gaal turned on the magic in the second half of the campaign returning Manchester United to the Champion’s League. Newboy’s Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao both struggled mightily with the latter already leaving the club. These shortcomings allowed Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata to return to their natural positions which largely contributed to United’s second half success. If David de Gea ends up leaving they will need to address that position in a big way if they wish to challenge for the title next season.
Newcastle United
- Predicted Finish: 8th
- Actual Finish: 15th
- Best Moment: Jonas Gutierrez return from cancer
- Worst Moment: Notching just 3 wins in their last 18
- Best Signing: Daryl Janmaat
- Worst Signing: Siem de Jong
- Player of the Year: Daryl Janmaat
- Young Player of the Year: Ayoze Perez
Newcastle were so intent on moving up in the table that they almost crashed out of the Premier League. After the much desired sacking of Alan Pardew, John Carver was put in charge of the magpies and lead them to one of the worst runs in Premier League history. Without a healthy recognised striker Newcastle were forced to turn to youngster Ayoze Perez, who looks a talent but was often abandoned on his own against opposition defenses. There are On the bright side, it’s unlikely that this squad could so severely underperform next season.
Queens Park Rangers
- Predicted Finish: 19th
- Actual Finish: 20th
- Best Moment: Charlie Austin’s incredible goal vs. Southampton
- Worst Moment: Losing 5-1 in their last Premier League match
- Best Signing: Leroy Fer
- Worst Signing: Sandro
- Player of the Year: Charlie Austin
- Young Player of the Year: Darnell Furlong
Perhaps the least surprising relegation was that of QPR. They never truly got going and struggled with injuries and poor decisions throughout most of the season. The only true bright spots were Charlie Austin and Leroy Fer both of whom are likely to leave this summer. Sticking with Chris Ramsey as manager is the most sensible thing the London club has done this season and they should fair moderately well in the Championship next season.
Southampton
- Predicted Finish: 15th
- Actual Finish: 7th
- Best Moment: Beating Sunderland 8-0
- Worst Moment: Losing Fraser Forster to injury, causing their late season collapse
- Best Signing: Fraser Forster
- Worst Signing: N/A
- Player of the Year: Jose Fonte
- Young Player of the Year: Matt Targett
No one expected much from Southampton in a year wherein they lost Manager Mauricio Pochettino and a plethora of key players. However, Ronald Koeman came in and with the astute purchases of Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic, Sadio Mane, and the loan of Tobi Alderweireld actually improved on most of the player that had left. Despite what was a surprisingly poor end to the season, very few can say that Koeman and Southampton were anything short of tremendous in his first season at the club.
Stoke City
- Predicted Finish: 12th
- Actual Finish: 9th
- Best Moment: Defeating Liverpool 6-1 in Gerrard’s last match
- Worst Moment: Bojan’s injury against Rochdale, rendering him out for the season
- Best Signing: Mame Biram Diouf
- Worst Signing: N/A
- Player of the Year: Steven N’Zonzi
- Young Player of the Year: Bojan
Mark Hughes has really turned this Stoke team into his now. No longer are Stoke simply head tennis playing long-ball merchants, but a fairly confident passing side. The additions of Bojan and Mame Biram Diouf proved to be excellent ones, and had Bojan stayed fit Stoke likely would have finished even further up the table. Charlie Adams’ 60+ yard screamer versus Chelsea was one of the highlights of the season, and for me, should have been goal of the season.
Sunderland
- Predicted Finish: 18th
- Actual Finish: 16th
- Best Moment: Back to back wins against Southampton and Everton to assure their safety
- Worst Moment: Losing 8-0 to Southampton
- Best Signing: Patrick van Aanholt
- Worst Signing: Billy Jones
- Player of the Year: Seb Larsson
- Young Player of the Year: Duncan Watmore
Doing there best to solidify themselves as the new Wigan, Sunderland left it late again this season. Despite a few improvements including the re-emergence of Costel Pantilimon, Sunderland have failed to make any meaningful impression in the league for a second year running. Some serious changes need to take place if they wish to maintain their Premier League status next season. Jermain Defoe’s return to England was a nice story line, but pushing Wickham to the wing has negatively impacted his performance and stunted his development.
Swansea City
- Predicted Finish: 11th
- Actual Finish: 8th
- Best Moment: Beating Manchester United … twice
- Worst Moment: Losing to Chelsea 5-0 at home
- Best Signing: Lukasz Fabianski
- Worst Signing: N/A
- Player of the Year: Gylfi Sigurdsson
- Young Player of the Year: Modou Barrow
Swansea had a terrific season! All things were looking up for Swansea when seemingly, out of nowhere, Wilfried Bony finished a quickfire move to Manchester City. This should have meant big trouble for the Welsh side, but Bafetimbi Gomis and an incredibly underrated midfield just refused to stop picking up points. Garry Monk really seems to know what he is doing in the dugout and I would not be surprised to see Swansea pushing for continental football next season.
Tottenham Hotspur
- Predicted Finish: 6th
- Actual Finish: 5th
- Best Moment: Harry Kane’s headed winner against Arsenal
- Worst Moment: Losing to Fiorentina in the Europa League
- Best Signing: Eric Dier
- Worst Signing: Benji Stambouli
- Player of the Year: Harry Kane
- Young Player of the Year: Nabil Bentaleb
Well, no one can say Tottenham are boring. Having brought in their third manager in just 13 months Tottenham faced yet another philosophy change. Mauricio Pochettino came in with a track record of pushing his teams hard and getting the most out of his younger players. This was certainly the case as the likes of Harry Kane, Nabil Bentaleb, Danny Rose, and Eric Dier all cemented first-team spots and indeed a bit of stardom. However, Pochettino’s inflexibility both tactically and with personnel never allowed Spurs to really push for top four despite the fact that after the Arsenal match Tottenham sat level with Manchester United for 4th place. Next season will be a great barometer to see if Pochettino has learned from this, or if his stubbornness may find him out of a job.
West Bromwich Albion
- Predicted Finish: 13th
- Actual Finish: 13th
- Best Moment: Beating Manchester United at Old Trafford for a second year running
- Worst Moment: Crashing out of the FA to rivals Aston Villa
- Best signing: Joleon Lescott
- Worst signing: Brown Ideye
- Player of the year: Saido Berahino
- Young player of the year: Adil Nabi
For a second straight season it looked as though Albion would certainly be relegated. This was quickly reversed with the introduction of Tony Pulis as manager on New Year’s Day. Once again, Pulis pulled a team out of the relegation fight altogether and into a comfortable mid-table finish. Saido Berahino pushed on from an excellent debut season last year and West Brom’s defense improved markedly with the additions of Joleon Lescott and Pulis. Tony Pulis has a bit of a checkered past in the transfer market, but Baggies fans will certainly be expecting safety again next season
West Ham United
- Predicted Finish: 10th
- Actual Finish: 12th
- Best Moment: Adrian scoring the winning penalty versus Everton in the FA Cup
- Worst Moment: Netting just two wins the second half of the season; falling from 4th to 12th.
- Best Signing: Aaron Creswell
- Worst Signing: Mauro Zarate
- Player of the Year: Aaron Creswell
- Young Player of the Year: Carl Jenkinson
From 4th on January first to 12th after match week 38, West Ham are fortunate that Newcastle were there to pick up the headlines. Despite excellent seasons from Mark Noble, Aaron Creswell, Diafra Sakho, and James Tomkins, West Ham just could not put a decent 90 minutes together after the New Year. Manager Sam Allerdyce has already been sacked so time will tell who will be in charge of the Irons next season. Based on talent alone this should be a top ten side.
