Wembley way
Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham completed the campaign as the leading London club for the first time since 1994-95, when they were seventh. Third-placed Spurs secured Champions League qualification for a third straight season. All the while in their temporary accommodation of Wembley. Here Pochettino looks at home directing operations from the touchline.
Going south? Not Saints, but Swans
Swansea-Southampton in the penultimate game of the season was the closest thing to a relegation play-off. A 1-0 victory, secured by Manolo Gabbiadini, gave Saints a three-point advantage which, coupled with their superior goal difference, sent the Swans down. Here the visiting players celebrate in front of their fans.
Merci Arsene, au revoir
Tears and triumphs were remembered as the long goodbye came to an end when Arsene Wenger bade farewell to Arsenal. Some would say ‘about time’, others remembered only the good times as Wenger signed off at home with a 5-0 defeat of Burnley before saluting the supporters who can only be grateful for the good times.
City strollers
Manchester City steamrollered the opposition to clinch the Premier League title with a scintillating brand of football under Pep Guardiola. Here Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero lift the silverware with their team-mates, who had to wait to get their hands on the trophy after clinching the title in April.
Potters plunge
Stoke’s 10-year stint in the Premier League came to an end, despite a battling draw at Liverpool. Here Stoke defender Erik Pieters grapples with Reds striker Roberto Firmino in the goalless draw with the Champions League finalists. The Potters floundered and were the first side to plunge into the Championship with a home defeat to Crystal Palace confirming their demotion.
The blues for Chelsea
A 28-year wait for victory at Chelsea came to an end for Tottenham. Spurs lost a 2-0 lead at Stamford Bridge in May 2016 to draw 2-2 as Leicester were crowned champions. Tottenham showed more composure on this occasion to win 3-1. Here Spurs striker Harry Kane tries to hold off N’Golo Kante and Andreas Christensen of Chelsea.
Alli hits a double
Attacking midfielder Dele Alli showed his class by scoring twice as Tottenham won at Chelsea for the first time since 1990. Gary Lineker, now the Match of the Day host, scored the winner that day and Alli’s strikes gave the Blues a proverbial bloody nose.
Toffees stick to task
Everton manager Sam Allardyce is pictured in a snow blizzard on St Patrick’s Day as his side win 2-1 at Stoke. The former England boss’ popularity at Goodison Park meant he struggled to win over sceptical supporters. But he did stabilise the Toffees after a challenging start under Ronald Koeman.
Mourinho has Luk
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is pictured in animated discussion with striker Romelu Lukaku at half-time of the Old Trafford clash with Liverpool. It is Marcus Rashford, not Lukaku, who scores twice in a 2-1 win for United, whose style under Mourinho has received plenty of scrutiny.
Marvellous Matic saves United
Two-nil down early in the second half, Manchester United complete an improbable comeback against Palace with a stunning strike from Nemanja Matic. The midfielder, here celebrating his goal with Chris Smalling, has been consistently brilliant since swapping Chelsea for Old Trafford.
Salah the saviour
Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, discarded by Mourinho and Chelsea, has thrived at Liverpool. Here he is celebrating his strike as the Reds defeated West Ham 4-1 at Anfield in February. Salah finished the season with 32 Premier League goals, surpassing the single-season record for a 38-game season by Alan Shearer (1995-96), Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-08) and Luis Suarez (2013-14).
Noble cause
West Ham captain Mark Noble celebrates scoring in his side’s 4-1 win at Huddersfield in January. For the Hammers this was a campaign of plenty of lows and few highs and Noble, who later had to fend off a pitch invader at the London Stadium, appears content.
Spurs stifled by Hammers
Even Harry Kane, here trying to evade Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid, could not mastermind a victory for Tottenham over West Ham at Wembley. A 1-1 draw was considered points dropped for Spurs, who in the previous two seasons had been the closest pretenders to the eventual champions, Leicester and Chelsea.
Kane and able
Harry Kane was prolific once more for Tottenham, here scoring the first goal of a hat-trick in a 5-2 Boxing Day win over Southampton at Wembley. The England striker is rewarded for his movement and desire as he nets beyond the Saints defence.
Divine intervention?
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte looks to be wondering what he is doing there and calling for divine intervention at Huddersfield. The Blues won 3-1 on a snowy Tuesday in December in an at times turbulent campaign for the Italian and his team.
Pogba sees red
A breathless bout at the Emirates Stadium saw Manchester United win 3-1. That was despite Paul Pogba being sent off for a studs-up challenge on Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, shown here. United capitalised on defensive mistakes, but Arsenal refused to buckle in a fiery encounter.
Pep particulars
Pep Guardiola points the way and his expression shows his demands as Manchester City beat Burnley 3-0. The City boss implored his players to play a high-octane style in defence and attack which saw City reap the rewards, including a record 18-game winning run.
Terrific Terriers
Huddersfield manager David Wagner and head of performance John Iga embrace in celebration of Laurent Depoitre’s strike in a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester. There were further reasons to celebrate the following month as the Terriers defeated Manchester United. And ultimately Town survived with a draw at Chelsea.
Maxim United?
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scores his and Stoke’s second goal to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United. The result ended United’s 100 per cent start to the Premier League season and provided cause for optimism at Stoke, which ended up short-lived.
Foster flying
West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster leaps in delight as his side take the lead against Stoke. However, a defensive mix-up between Foster and Ahmed Hegazi led to Peter Crouch’s equaliser, ending the Baggies’ 100 per cent start to a season which ended in the drop.
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