Title Race
As the season opened in August it looked likely to be a three-horse race between the Special One, Chosen One and Veteran One. The start promised a lot in Manchester, despite the past two title winners starting with new bosses, both won convincingly in the opening weekend kicking off their reigns in style. The Special One began in smooth fashion with a win at Stamford Bridge, as usual. Arsenal were in crisis, a 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa and desperate lack of transfer activity led to many calling for his head. Yet a deadline day signing of Mesut Ozil turned to crisis to sheer ecstasy, their season would take off from there. Manchester City would prove a unstoppable force at the Etihad thumping United 4-1, Spurs 6-0 and Arsenal 6-3 in a swash-buckling attacking style. Chelsea would steadily go about their business, not in the spotlight maybe as much as expected with Jose yet to make his mark on the season. Arsenal were the side looking imperious up to Christmas, with the only blips coming in Manchester. Aaron Ramsey running riot around the country, the side were playing with solidarity, strength and panache. Liverpool were improving week by week but had faltered when faced with the top teams, losing at Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. Yet their title charge would come. On the other hand, it was all going wrong at Old Trafford. David Moyes had a promising start but trouble was near. A first home defeat to West Brom since 1978, a pummelling in the Manchester Derby and a beating from Moyes' old side Everton. A first at Old Trafford since 1992. United were looking at a fight for the top 4, never mind defending their crown. The favourites was anyone guess, Arsenal led the way into the New Year with Manchester City and Liverpool close behind.
In the second half of the season it was Arsenal who crumbled. Humbling's at Liverpool and Chelsea in Arsene Wenger's 1000th game, 5-1 and 6-0. Arsenal never recovered from these damaging drubbings and finished in a race for Champions League football attempting to hold off Everton and Spurs. Manchester United though were having their worst ever Premier League campaign. David Moyes' dream job was turning into a nightmare. A first away defeat to Stoke since 1984 and doubled by Manchester City and Liverpool compounding the misery around Old Trafford. It would've been devastating for United fans to see their two arch rivals City and Liverpool tussling for the title and then been beaten by both comprehensively. So, for Liverpool and City, their challenges to take United's title were to come to blows at Anfield. Liverpool were 4 points clear of City going into the titanic clash, City though had two games in hand. Liverpool had picked up 8 wins in a row going into it, whilst City had picked up the Capital One Cup and were looking to clinch a double. This game had everything, controversy, goals, red card and a late twist. City's captain Vincent Kompany was a doubt before the game and trained by himself. Kompany was not fully fit and showed during the game and it was sliced clearance which fell to Phillipe Coutinho to curl in the winner for Liverpool. A 3-2 win which meant Liverpool had 4 games left, win them and they'll win the league. City were still hoping for a slip up and then could win it if they won their remaining 6 games. Chelsea had thrown away their title hopes with sloppy defeats. Dropped points at home to West Brom, West Ham, Norwich and then defeats to bottom club Sunderland, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace put their chances to bed. Chelsea could look back and realise they'd thrown away the league especially after results against the other big teams. Anfield was the stage again for a clash in the title mix-up, Liverpool vs Chelsea. Steven Gerrard vowed to not let this chance slip, well the irony of that statement could not be more relevant. A slip from the captain let in Demba Ba who slotted Jose's side 1-0 up. Chelsea parked a very resilient and sturdy bus in front of their goal as Liverpool struggled to break through, Chelsea sprung and sealed it with Torres passing to Willian who ran the ball into the empty net. Chelsea had done the double over City and Liverpool but thrown away their chances at the so called, 'easier games'.
It was City's to lose now as Crystal Palace, Everton, Aston Villa and West Ham stood in their way. 4 wins would clinch their second title in three years. They dispatched of Palace professionally with goals from Yaya Toure and Edin Dzeko who was crucial in City's second half of the season. Goodison Park was then host to a crucial game in the title race. Everton fans had seen their side throw away chances of the Champions League with defeats to Crystal Palace and Southampton, but could still effect the title picture. If they won, Liverpool had the title in their hands again, lose and City were surely not going to throw it away. Everton fans were contemplating whether they truly wanted to lose so Liverpool couldn't win it. I turned out to be a close-fought game won by City. Edin Dzeko's double after a stunner from Ross Barkley and a neat finish from Sergio Aguero put the title halfway to the Etihad, despite a late Romelu Lukaku goal. City's crowning was all but guaranteed after a collapse at Crystal Palace from Liverpool. A game named 'Crystanbul' after Liverpool relinquished a 3-0 lead in the second half. Dwight Gayle came off the bench to finish off the amazing comeback. A collapse of the highest order showing the pressure had got too Liverpool, a shame. It was nice to see the challenge from the Merseyside team return and hopefully be maintained in the future. City finished off the job, as we all knew they would. Vincent Kompany fittingly scoring the 102nd goal of a fantastic season at the club. Manuel Pellegrini had settled City and brought everyone together after a shaky end to the Roberto Mancini era. Liverpool put up a valiant chase and took it right to the wire but fell just short. Brendan Rodgers has taken them from 7th to 2nd, a fantastic season for them and with Champions League football back next year, they'll be looking to take it on another level next year.
Relegation Fight
A scrap which was incredibly hard to call and was subject to sackings left, right and centre. Crystal Palace started off clear favourites from the drop and it was being proven, picking up 3 points from an available 30. Ian Holloway got the chop as veteran Tony Pulis came in to try guide Palace clear. Sunderland were having a equally tough campaign, 8 without a win at the start of the season and changing room bust-ups ended Paolo Di Canio's reign. Gus Poyet in and had to tackle a Tyneside Derby in his first game in charge. Like Di Canio, Poyet began with victory over Newcastle. This with a impressive League Cup run gave Poyet hope of guiding his side out of trouble. Fulham didn't take long to fire Martin Jol as their ageing side were struggling to keep pace with those above. Rene Meulensteen came in to try save them but equally struggled desperately to save the Whites. However, Jol managed 2 wins in 13, Meulensteen 2 wins in 14. Fulham were in severe trouble so turned to Felix Magath to lead them to survival, 4 points from safety with 12 to go. Norwich City were having a very tough season, big signings not delivering and a massive lack of goals meant they were in equal dire straights at the bottom. Chris Hughton saved them last season, could he work a miracle this? Cardiff City had arrived in the top flight in style. Beating Manchester City in their first home game and managing to avoid being in the relegation zone the first half of the season. Until all broke down. Vincent Tan ruthlessly sacked Malky Mackay, well for no reason. Tan blamed Mackay for poor signings and disagreed with the style of play, despite how effective it was as Cardiff were 16th when he was sacked. United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over attempting to one get along with Vincent Tan and two save Cardiff. The team and fans seemed outraged with Tan's decision and their season would spiral into meltdown. West Brom were the second team to be the subject of a bizarre sacking. West Brom were not consistent yet away from home pulled off two scalps in beating United and then a cruel penalty decision away from ending Jose Mourinhos unbeaten home league record. Steve Clarke was sacked after defeat at Cardiff and eventually Pepe Mel took over. It was to be a very strenuous reign for the Spaniard.
It was a unpredictable and close scrap for survival Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Norwich, Cardiff, West Brom and Fulham fighting for their lives. Palace were everyone's pick to go down which highlights the level of job Tony Pulis had done to drag them out to safety. After a mere two wins in 12 games under Ian Holloway and Keith Millen, Pulis achieved 11 wins in 24. No side bottom by December had finished higher than 17th, yet a remarkable turn around resulting in 10 clean sheets and a 46% win record which included a club record 5 straight wins towards the end of the season achieving their safety and a 11th placed finish. Fulham improved under Magath and after back to back wins in basement battles against Aston Villa and Norwich, timed with Hugo Rodallega's return was giving them hope. Norwich simply couldn't keep a run going. A huge win over Spurs was followed by a thrashing at Aston Villa, then a win over Sunderland ruined with defeat against Fulham. Hughton lost his post with 3 games to go as City were doomed, United, Chelsea and Arsenal were up ahead and assistant Brian Adams had to complete the greatest escape in Premier League history. Sunderland were in the midst of one of their own. A cup final defeat to City followed by a run of poor performances was leading many to believe they were certainties for the drop. Yet the 'Piece de Resistance' was planned by Poyet. With goals lacking, Conor Wickham was recalled and they started flooding back. Results which were beyond their wildest dreams were suddenly occurring. A 2-2 draw at City, a 1-0 win at United (their second triumph at Old Trafford this season) and the feat of ending Mourinhos unbeaten home league record thanks to Fabio Borini. Gus Poyet achieved safety with victory over West Brom and the miracle was done, a string of astonishing results led the Mackems to another year of top flight football. Then there were four. Cardiff City fell to pieces and crumbled after a capitulation at Sunderland, despite a 1-0 win at Southampton and late comeback against West Brom giving them hope. Defeat at Newcastle signalled the end and return down, a real shame which can only be blamed on Mr.Tan. Fulham followed suit. A 2-0 lead over Hull was the ticket to safety, yet a late collapse gifted Hull a point and left Fulham in tatters. Their uncertain future was settled at Stoke after a mauling which completed a mess of a season in South London. A first relegation for Felix Magath but with his experience and their flurry of youth players, they'll be back stronger. It came down to Norwich and West Brom. Norwich fought valiantly but fluffed their lines with three defeats in four ending hopes of a survival scalp. West Brom unconvincingly clawed to safety. Mel dismissed not long after the end after only three wins in charge in 17 games. The manager merry-go-round seems set to continue.
Now I will honour the stand out moments and stars of the 2013/14 season:
Player of the Season- Luis Suarez
Young Player of the Season- Daniel Sturridge or Luke Shaw
Game of the Season- Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City
Goal of the Season- Patjim Kasami (Crystal Palace vs FULHAM)
Signing of the Season- Nemanja Matic
Worst Signing of the Season- Roberto Soldado/Marouane Fellaini/Kostas Mitroglu
Manager of the Season- Brendan Rodgers
It's been a wonderful season in the Premier League once again, only 74 days till we start it all again!
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