It's all over! (Apart from the World Cup...)

So another eventful season of Premier League football has come to an end.  It is a time for celebration, reflection and commiseration depending on your point of view.

This season saw some remarkable stories at both ends of the table.  The unexpected title challenge from Liverpool was a highlight for many as they showed that attractive free flowing football can bring rewards, this year in the form of a Champions League place that will see those big European nights back at Anfield next season.

Let us not forget Arsenal who for a while mounted a real challenge for the title.  Unfortunately injury seemed to get in the way again as they fell away at the turn of the year.  Great promise shown by the gunners though who could definitely be a real threat next season with a few key signings.  And what about the surprise package of Aaron Ramsey?!  One has to think if the Welshman hadn't got injured, Arsenal may have had a bigger say in where the title ended up at the end of the season.

This season also saw the return of the Special One.  Jose Mourinho's first season back at Chelsea seems to have ended on a rather muted note.  No doubt they had some notable results and indeed challenged for the top spot virtually to the end but an unexciting brand of football and the manager's reluctance to give any serious answers during press conferences sees a season which most people won't remember.  A new striker is a must for Chelsea as a lack of goals is definitely what cost them in the league.  With an ageing squad there may be more changes needed if they are to be triumphant next year.

In the end though it was the club with undoubtedly the strongest squad that took the title.  Manchester City played attacking, powerful football and despite suffering losses to both Chelsea and Liverpool, in the end they were just too strong for the competition.  The depth of talent in their squad was a big factor.  Injuries were dealt with effectively by the manager and his strong tactics meant they had very little impact on the team's overall performance.  Many will argue that their riches saw to their success but that is an argument for another time.  Still it is hard to see past them again next season.

And what a show at the bottom of the table.  Tony Pulis turned Crystal Palace into a completely different side since his arrival.  Before his appointment it looked like they were dead and buried but with with what seemed to be a complete overhaul in their approach to games, Pulis boosted his team to an impressive 11th place finish.

That turn around can only be topped by the exploits of Sunderland.  A month ago it seemed that Sunderland were down, no questions asked.  Gus Poyet seems to have simply dragged his team up the table with incredible performances at Manchester City and Chelsea and other key results.  The spirit shown by the team is to be admired and rewarded with a place in the Premiership next season.

Bad luck to all the relegated teams but it seems that a lack of the spirit was what cost some of these teams.  The Championship awaits them now. A notoriously hard league to get out of.  The ones I worry for are Cardiff.  I would say they have a lack of direction with the colourful Mr Tan at the helm but in my opinion it seems to be downward.

And where to start with Manchester United?  Probably a good place to finish...

Thanks for reading!

AP

Liverpool's Game of the Season.

Last night Liverpool blew a three goal lead to end up with only a draw at Crystal Palace.  This has surely ended any hope of The Reds winning their first championship of the Premier League era.  Unfortunately last night's draw was representative of Liverpool's whole season.

Firstly we have the positives.  Three goals from a team which as scored a record amount this season, two of which were from the league's two top scorers.  It looked like the perfect way for Luis Suarez to cement his status as PFA and Professional Writers' Player of the Year and for Daniel Sturridge to cap off a remarkable rise since his move to Anfield. It also saw Joe Allen score his first goal for Liverpool since his switch from Swansea.  It looked like the scoring form that Liverpool have enjoyed all season was going to put them back atop the table and heap the pressure back on Manchester City.

However as much as the goal scoring has been a prominent feature of Liverpool's play this season so has their inability to keep a clean sheet.  All season Liverpool seem to have got away with conceding sloppy goals as they have made up for it by racking up three or four goals at the other end.  Last night their luck ran out.  It would be easy to say that Liverpool simply "bottled it" last night but that isn't the case.  In fact for the most part it was one of the most impressive away performances of the season from any team.  One could say Liverpool lost their nerve if they weren't used to conceding or it was uncharacteristic but this has been happening all season.  It just so happens that this was the game where it mattered the most.

So it looks like Liverpool may have learnt the hard way.  Score as many goals as you like but unless you keep it locked up tight at the back, nothing is guaranteed.  I for one am disappointed to see Liverpool fall at the last hurdle but I do believe they are developing into a force once again.  With Champions' League football at Anfield again next season it will be a special year.  It will also help them to attract top players to enable them to challenge for the title again.  I would recommend signing a few defenders...

Thanks for reading!

AP

The Peoples' Champions

This Sunday Liverpool took one significant step closer to becoming Premier League Champions for the first time in almost a quarter of a century.  The media are dubbing them everyone's second favourite team and it seems it may not just be because of their on field prowess.

There is no doubt that their attractive way of playing football has won them a number of fans throughout the season.  When Brendan Rodgers said that Liverpool were "building something here", he was talking of not only a team but an ethos.  A way of playing and acting that runs through every player and staff so that they can all come together over one common goal;  To rebuild Liverpool into the giant it was back in the glory days of the 70s and 80s.

Liverpool never completely faded away from the scene and have still managed to achieve success in the decades since their last championship title.  They have won a number of domestic cups, European titles and most notably the Champions League but the elusive Premier League title is the one they want the most. When they beat Manchester City on Sunday, the title could be said to now be within touching distance.

And that is the other reason we may be seeing a real hope by nuetrals to see the Anfield side win the league.  For years now the fans of British football have watch the influx of more and more foreign money flood into the game.  None more so than from the owners of Chelsea and Manchester City, the two teams vying with Liverpool for the title on the final run in.

Many feel that City and Chelsea have bought their recent success.  There is no doubt a bottomless pit of money can help to attract the cream of the crop from around the world but many see the carefully constructed Reds as the ones to show that success can still be build on strong ideals and sound tactics.

This could be exactly what the game needs.  A new force to break the dominance of the billionaires' club.  For years Arsenal have tried but fallen away and Manchester United's grip seems to have firmly loosened after the departure of Sir Alex.  Liverpool have a tradition of winning but in the current climate but could a win this year or even last Sunday be the most significant win of all?

Andrew Paterson