TEAM: TOTTENHAM
In a real topsy turvy season for Spurs, they were still playing for a European Conference league place (whatever that is) but were at FA Cup winners Leicester, who were still fighting for a place in the Champions League. However, it was all going wrong for them again when Leicester took a 2-1 lead in the second half, but they pulled themselves together and gave their season one last final push to score three goals in the last 15 minutes to get an impressive away win. Well done also to Man City, Aston Villa, West Ham, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Man Utd, Arsenal, and Sheff Utd.
GOALKEEPER: EDERSON (Man City)
It was quite hard to choose a keeper, especially this week with some teams not having much to play for. However, although he didn’t have that much to do on the day, in a game where his team romped to a 5-0 victory, this season’s golden glove winner showed why he is so good with a superb penalty save when his team were two up, adding to the celebratory nature of the game, allowing his team to grow even further in confidence and go on and score three more goals. Shout out also to West Ham’s Fabianski, Sheff Utd’s Ramsdale & Villa’s Martinez.
DEFENDER: VLADIMIR COUFAL (West Ham)
He only came to the club in October, made his debut two days after arriving and had a very good game in a 3-0 against Leicester, which and set the tone. Since he’s been a solid and consistent performer down the right flank and again, on the last game of the season put in another energetic and inspiring performance up and down the right flank. He created the second goal and was one of the best players on the pitch. Well done also to his team mate Dawson, Arsenal’s Chambers, Leeds’ Ayling, Newcastle duo Fernandes & Schar, Liverpool’s Robertson, Sheff Utd duo Egan & Robinson and Man Utd’s Tuanzebe.
MIDFIELDER: PABLO FORNALS (West Ham)
In undoubtedly West Ham’s best ever season in the Premier League, they needed one last win to be sure of a Europa League place. His two goals, with two opportunist type finishes, just three minutes apart in the first half, really calmed the nerves on and off the pitch. This helped his team go on to comfortably win the game, when early on they were looking a little bit nervy. Shout out also to his team mate Rice, Villa trio Nakamba, McGinn and Traore, Newcastle’s Willock, Leeds duo Raphinha & Phillips, Spurs’ Bale & Son, Liverpool’s Thiago, Man City duo De Bruyne & Foden, Wolves’ Semedo, Man Utd’s Mata & Arsenal’s Pepe.
FORWARD: SERGIO AGUERO (Man City)
What a servant he has been to Man City and the Premier League. A real top class striker who, one last time, showed why he will be a legend in English football for years to come. In his last game for the club and presumably in England, he came on after 65 minutes and just 10 minutes later, he had bagged two goals. The first, collecting a pass in the box, turning the defender inside out and finishing with the outside of his foot into the far corner. The second, a superb header into the bottom corner to sign off perfectly in fourth on the all time Premier League scoring list. Well done also to his team mate Jesus, Leeds duo Rodrigo & Hernandez, Leicester’s Vardy, Tottenham’s Kane, Liverpool’s Mane, Leeds’ Bamford, Man Utd’s Elanga, Sheff Utd’s McGoldrick and WBA’s Robson-Kanu.
MANAGER: DAVID MOYES (West Ham)
West Ham emphatically qualified for the Europa League with a dominant 3-0 victory over Southampton. To think last season they were fighting relegation and this season they were in the conversation for a Champions League place until the last week of the season. Huge credit must go to the manager for turning the teams fortunes around and finishing in the top six. Their achievements will give huge confidence to many of the unfashionable teams in the league.
UNSUNG HERO: ANDREW ROBERTSON (Liverpool)
Another example for who this award was made for. Though it was hard to choose one this week, I went with the Liverpool left back who by his own standards didn’t hit the highs of last season, but still was a very influential and consistent. He rarely gets injured and was ever present this season in the league, along with a few other outfield players. Ended the season topping the stats for most touches in the league, was fourth for most passes and joint 13th in the league for assists. A lot of his work goes unnoticed due to his consistent performances so he definitely deserves a mention.
GAME: LEICESTER 2-4 TOTTENHAM
In a game where a win was important for both teams, Leicester took an early lead when Vardy raced onto a through ball, cut back inside Alderweireld who caught him with his trailing leg. Ref had to be advised by VAR to look at the monitor and eventually he pointed to the spot where Vardy made no mistake (18). Spurs equalised following a corner Leicester failed to clear, which allowed Kane to pounce on Son’s deflected cut back to lash home (41). In the second half, Vardy was again brought down in the box, this time by Sanchez and he picked himself up to slot home (52). Spurs equalised for a second time when Son swung over a left sided corner that Schmeichel came out to punch, only to misjudge and punch into his own net under pressure (76). With Leicester pushing forward, Spurs took advantage with Bale, who fed Son then to Kane. Just when you thought Kane was about to score, defenders blocked his pathway, but Kane cut the ball back for Bale just inside the box to lash home low, through four defenders and the keeper (87). Spurs then got a fourth with Leicester committed forward, Bale easily danced though the defence to slot home after his shot with the outside of this boot hit the post (90+6).
GOAL: KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Man City) v Everton
Stones collected the ball in his own half and played it right to Walker inside the Everton half, he then played it down the line to Mahrez, who played it first time into to Sterling, who played a first time ball back to him. Mahrez controlled the ball, then fizzed it inside two defenders to De Bruyne moving forward. De Bruyne, controlled the ball with the outside of his right boot, set himself, then from just outside the d, curled a powerful low effort into the far corner, which bounces in front of Pickford before going up and into the corner.
FOOL: KASPER SCHMEICHEL (Leicester)
I am not saying for one moment his blunder caused Leicester to not qualify for the Champions League, but you have to say it went a long way to his team not winning the game. With his team winning 2-1 and going into the Champions League, maybe it was nerves etc but he missed timed a corner, swinging his fist wildly to deflect the ball into his net giving Spurs an equaliser. Leicester were obviously up against it from then on and went all out for a goal, causing them to leave gaps, which allowed Spurs to go on and win the game. Again, not saying his blunder caused them to miss out but before his blunder, Leicester were winning the game and qualifying for the Champions League. FOOL!
