I didn't think Liverpool would challenge for the title immediately under new manager Arne Slot but in the end Liverpool coasted to the title. They were the most consistent team over the season and were able to take advantage of the struggles of Arsenal and Manchester City. While there were some minor tactical tweaks to the team, this was the squad assembled by predecessor Jurgen Klopp as the only new signing, Federico Chiesa made little impact. With so little change in personnel, it was a smooth transition from Klopp to Slot and the team deserved the title.
By contrast, it was a difficult season for Arsenal and Manchester City though. Arsenal's season-long injury crisis meant they were never able to field a full strength team and exposed a lack of squad depth, especially in attack. Arsenal are also right to feel aggrieved at a number of terrible refereeing decisions that cost them points including in key games against Liverpool and Manchester City. The gap between Arsenal and Liverpool was big enough that better refereeing probably wouldn't have seen Arsenal win the title but at least there would have been a closer title race instead of the boring procession we got.
That aforementioned match between Arsenal and Manchester City was seen as a major turning point in City's season as their key player Rodri went off injured and didn't play again this season. While his injury was a significant factor in their subsequent drastic drop in form, it is not the whole answer. In truth, City were never wholly convincing this season from the very beginning and got lucky with some of their early results. Too many players in an ageing squad looked like they have too many miles on the clock and there will be big changes expected this summer. The squad overhaul started in January with nearly £200m spent on new young players and they will be sure to spend significantly again in this transfer window. How they are allowed to spend so freely when they have 115 charges still hanging over them related to financial mismanagement is another question.
Outside of the top three there was a closely fought battle for the remaining European places with up to nine teams seemingly in the hunt at different stages of the season. Chelsea and Newcastle eventually prevailed in finishing fourth and fifth, securing champions league football.
Given Chelsea's expenditure over recent seasons, fourth should have been the minimum expected of them but they left it late. Manager Enzo Maresca has failed to impress so far with his patient tactical style and he is still to work out his first XI. With more squad changes expected it could be another while before he works out his first XI, time that he might not have unless they start next season well. At a minimum, Chelsea will be expected to be a lot closer to the top three from the start.
Newcastle looked solid without being spectacular all season long but nearly contrived to throw away champions league football with a nervy end to the season. They achieved their goal of European football and picked up a trophy along the way. They will need reinforcements though as 2023-24 proved their small squad struggles to cope when playing in Europe.
Aston Villa in sixth will feel very hard done by missing out on champions league after the terrible refereeing mistake which cost them a goal in their final game. Their inconsistent form for much of the season had left them playing catch-up in the race for Europe though and their good run of form at the end came too late. Champions League quarter finalists on their first season in the competition was a fantastic result for them though. The Europa League next season will feel like a step down but is probably a better reflection of their abilities.
Nottingham Forest will feel a sense of disappointment in finishing seventh and qualifying for the Conference League after spending most of the season in the top four. But the reality is that even that is a big overachievement when most people, myself included had expected them to struggle. They should go far in the conference league but will have to be careful that it doesn't affect their league form.
Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford and Fulham all impressed this season, playing good football under progressive young managers. They all seemed to be in the race for Europe but ultimately fell away a bit as the long season took its toll. If they can hold on to their managers and key players there is no reason why they shouldnt be able to continue their fine progress.
Crystal Palace had a quiet season in the league, recovering from a poor start to finish comfortably in mid-table. The story of their season though is the FA cup win, a first trophy in their history. This will also mean a first foray into Europe. They will need to be smart this summer to strengthen their squad to deal with the twin challenges of Europe and the league, especially if key players like Guehi and Eze depart.
Below Palace were the strugglers. Everton slogged their way through under Sean Dyche until being lifted by the return of David Moyes who ensured they kept clear of any threat of relegation. Their new stadium looks impressive but the playing squad desperately needs investment if the new manager bounce is to continue into next season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers somewhat flew under the radar this season. Gary O'Neil had done very well in keeping them up last season but after a poor start this season was fired in December. His successor Vitor Pereira got the team playing and got the results to get them clear of trouble. Another season in the lower part of the table will be the expectation for next season.
Much was expected of West Ham this season after heavy investment in players and a new manager Julen Lopetegui last summer. Lopetegui didn't last long though amid poor results and frustration at the playing style. His successor Graham Potter didn't fare any better and they were lucky that the teams below them happened to be so poor otherwise relegation could have been a real danger.
The three promoted teams, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton endured a miserable season and all go straight back down. After so long away, Ipswich at least seemed to enjoy the occasion but more was expected from Leicester and Southampton. But it shows the growing gulf in quality between the premiership and the championship and its growth even in just the year that Leicester and Southampton were away. Next season, Leeds and Burnley are back after short spells in the championship while Sunderland make a long awaited return. Its hard to see them faring much better than this seasons trio though.
Meanwhile, whole books could be written about the disastrous seasons of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs, fifteenth and seventeenth in the league respectively.
As expected, Erik Ten Hag didn't last much longer in Manchester but nobody could have foreseen how poor they would fare under his successor Ruben Amorim. Amorim, so highly regarded for his work with Sporting in Portugal, had been heavily linked with Liverpool last summer who must now be thinking they had a lucky escape. Just four points off top four when he took over in November, Man United ended up 27 points off the top four. With a mishmash squad of old and past it stars such as Casemiro and Eriksen, overawed youngsters like Yoro and players who just arent good enough like Hojlund, its hard to see how things get better for them anytime soon. The squad needs a massive rebuild and without European football, unwanted players on huge wages and debt problems, its hard to see how they will fund it. Its difficult to see how things can get worse for United, but they could be about to find out. After the horrors of this season, their worst in decades, Amorim will need a good start to next season or he will be gone. At the same time, the clubs ownership needs to work better, hiring and firing wildly different managers and bringing in different players for each of them is clearly not working.
Tottenham can point to winning the Europa League as a sign of success this season and a first trophy in nearly twenty years is a significant achievement. Most people scoffed when manager Ange Postecoglou made the bold claim that he always wins a trophy in his second season. But their domestic form was embarrassing to say the least, and tactically, Postecoglou often looked completely out of his depth as Spurs were regularly outplayed. It was a shocking drop off in form for a team that was close to reaching champions league football last season. Injuries were a mitigating factor this season but they will have to do a lot better next season with what on paper at least looks like a decent squad.
