TEAM: ASTON VILLA
After their Europa League success, you expected Villa to still be in party mode, and though City had lost the league and had nothing to play for.
You expected them to give Pep a good final-day send-off, but Villa had other ideas. They surprised once again after going a goal down, to notch two goals in the second half to end a very successful season all around.
Well done to Arsenal. Man Utd. Sunderland. Tottenham and Fulham.
GOALKEEPER: CAOIMHIN KELLEHER (Brentford)
In his first game back at Anfield, he gave Liverpool a timely reminder of his abilities.
Liverpool were determined to end a disappointing season on a high, but found their former player in top form as he frustrated them with several saves to keep the score to one, which allowed his team to get an equaliser and a decent away draw.
Shout out to Wolves’ Sa. Man Utd’s Lammends. West. Ham’s Hermansen. Chelsea’s Sanchez and Villa’s Bizot.
DEFENDER: NORDI MUKIELE (Sunderland)
The fullback had a great season; however, due to injuries, he was deployed at centre-back and excelled as if he had been playing there all season.
Though he was playing against a disappointing Chelsea team, they still had an outside chance of Europe. But he was solid at the back and thwarted any Chelsea attacks, which allowed his team to go two goals up and then see out the game to qualify for Europe.
Well done to his teammate O’Nien. Arsenal duo Zubimendi & Mosquera. Man Utd Martinez. Spurs duo Porro & Danso. Bournemouth duo Truffert & Senesi. Forest duo Milenkovic & Morato.
Fulham foursome Diop, Castagne, Bassey & Robinson. West Ham’s Mavropanos. Villa dou Maatsen & Mings. Liverpool duo Jones & Van Dijk. Burnley’s Walker and Wolves duo Mosquera & Krejci.
MIDFIELDER: BRUNO FERNANDES (Man Utd)
Not only did he continue his tremendous form to break the assist record on the final day of the season, but he also put in a man-of-the-match performance.
In a game where they were not playing for much, his assist and goal led by example in a record-breaking and positive season.
Shout out to his teammate Dorgu. Tottenham’s Palhinha. Arsenal’s Madueke. Sunderland duo Hume & Xhaka. Fulham’s Cairney. Chelsea’s Palmer. Man City’s Semenyo.
Forest’s Gibbs-White. Bournemouth’s Tavernier. Liverpool’s Gravenberch. West Ham duo Fernandes & Bowen. Brentford’s Janelt.
FORWARD: OLIVER WATKINS (Aston Villa)
It was a relatively slow start to the season, not just the Villa forward but also the Villa team as a whole. But good teams know how to peak at the right time, and the same goes for good players.
Although the game did not mean much, goal scorers love to score goals. He banged in two second-half goals, with two typically predatory and clinical finishes, to end a very successful season as the fourth top scorer.
Well done to Arsenal’s Jesus. Palace’s Mateta. Burnley’s Flemming. Liverpool’s Salah. West Ham duo Taty & Wilson. Man Utd’s Mbeumo. Sunderland’s Brobbey. Brentford’s Schade.
MANAGER: REGIS LE BRIS (Sunderland)
There is an argument for him being the manager of the season. They came up via the Championship playoffs, and most expected them to go right back down.
Not only did they comfortably defy the odds, but in the end, they qualified for the Europa League, and it was fitting they did it with a final-day victory over Chelsea, who finished the season in tenth.
Shout out also to Arsenal’s Arteta. Villa’s Emery. Man Utd’s Carrick and Tottenham’s De Zerbi.
UNSUNG HERO: PALHINHA (Tottenham)
Quite simply, he scored the goal to keep Spurs in the Premier League. After he scored, he did all he could to keep Everton out with several tackles and blocks.
Not only did he put in a man of the match on the final day, but he also notched a winning goal a few weeks back at Wolves to earn three valuable points.
Well done also to Man Utd’s Dorgu. Liverpool’s Jones. Burnley’s Flemming. Sunderland’s O’Nein and Forest’s Gibbs-White.
GAME: SUNDERLAND 2-1 CHELSEA
Sunderland took the lead from a long goal kick that was flicked on just outside the Chelsea box on the right. The ball fell to Hune, who finished first time with the outside of his foot, inside the near post (25).
In the second half, Sunderland extended their lead when Brobbey’s shot went in off Gusto from a yard out (50). Chelsea then pulled a goal back, as Palmer’s effort from outside the box went through Roefs (56). However, Fofana got sent off for a second yellow in eight minutes to virtually seal the game (62).
GOAL: TOM CAIRNEY (Fulham) vs Newcastle
In the second half, following a short corner, the ball was worked back down the right flank to Cairney, six yards from the box.
He took a touch and, with no players closing him down, took two further touches inside the box and worked the ball onto his left foot. Then, from just under 25 yards out, he curled a wonderful effort into the top far corner.
There was also a good goal from Bournemouth’s Tavernier and Burnley’s Flemming.
FOOL: CHELSEA FC
It’s fair to say Chelsea has had a disastrous season, considering they started it brightly after winning the inaugural Club World Cup. expectations and excitement were high. However, it all went horribly wrong, with one bad decision after another from the board.
Spending big in the summer on kids and no experience. They sacked Maresca, then sacked Rosenior after a terrible tenure. It all ended with finishing tenth, a cup final defeat and no Europe next season. FOOLS!
