sport news Premier League: Sportsmail's writers choose the best, worst and most amusing ... trends now

sport news Premier League: Sportsmail's writers choose the best, worst and most amusing ... trends now
sport news Premier League: Sportsmail's writers choose the best, worst and most amusing ... trends now

sport news Premier League: Sportsmail's writers choose the best, worst and most amusing ... trends now

A sensational Premier League campaign full of thrills, spills and final-day drama concluded on Sunday with Manchester City winning the title instead of Liverpool, Leeds staying up at Burnley's expense and plenty more besides.

There were so many good, bad and funny moments throughout the 2021-22 season, the first after fans were allowed back in stadiums as the country recovered from the coronavirus pandemic.

So, with that in mind, Sportsmail writers Ian Ladyman, Sami Mokbel, Craig Hope, Jack Gaughan, Dominic King, Tom Collomosse, Matt Barlow, Adrian Kajumba and Chris Wheeler nominate their best, worst and most amusing moments of the season.

A sensational Premier League campaign full of thrills, spills and final-day drama concluded on Sunday with Manchester City (pictured above) winning the title at the expense of Liverpool

A sensational Premier League campaign full of thrills, spills and final-day drama concluded on Sunday with Manchester City (pictured above) winning the title at the expense of Liverpool

With that in mind, Sportsmail writers Ian Ladyman, Sami Mokbel, Craig Hope, Jack Gaughan, Dominic King, Tom Collomosse, Matt Barlow, Adrian Kajumba and Chris Wheeler have nominated their best, worst and most amusing moments from the 2021-2022 campaign

With that in mind, Sportsmail writers Ian Ladyman, Sami Mokbel, Craig Hope, Jack Gaughan, Dominic King, Tom Collomosse, Matt Barlow, Adrian Kajumba and Chris Wheeler have nominated their best, worst and most amusing moments from the 2021-2022 campaign

What was your favourite match this season? 

Ian Ladyman (IL): Arsenal 3 Tottenham 1. Still getting used to the sounds and sights of full stadiums again, this was a thrilling attacking performance from a team finding an identity under Mikel Arteta. The Emirates was alive. 

Sami Mokbel (SM): The 2-2 draw between Manchester City and Liverpool was hands down the most captivating match of the season. But the best game I saw live was Chelsea versus Liverpool — an enthralling 2-2 draw. 

Craig Hope (CH): Newcastle 3 Everton 1. A noisy night under the lights at St James' Park when you were reminded of the power of a club, its team and fanbase when they pull in the same direction. It felt like the start of a new era. 

Jack Gaughan (JG): As an alternative to the incredible 2-2 draw at Anfield, Burnley 3 Everton 2. A relegation scrap, an electric atmosphere and a late winner after Burnley had battled back from 2-1 down. 

Dominic King (DK): Everton 1 Chelsea 0: simply for the noise, colour and emotion that was evident inside and outside the stadium that day. There are few better places to watch football than when Goodison Park serves up a tempest.

Tom Collomosse (TC): Leicester 1 Liverpool 0. Leicester had just been thrashed by Man City and had stars missing. An away win looked certain, but Mo Salah missed a penalty and Ademola Lookman nicked it. They even managed a rare clean sheet.

Several chose Manchester City's exciting draw vs Liverpool as the best game of the season

Several chose Manchester City's exciting draw vs Liverpool as the best game of the season

Non-league side Kidderminster Harriers (above) taking on West Ham was also a classic game

Non-league side Kidderminster Harriers (above) taking on West Ham was also a classic game

Craig Hope nominated the turnaround at Newcastle against Everton as signalling a new era

Craig Hope nominated the turnaround at Newcastle against Everton as signalling a new era

Matt Barlow (MB):  Kidderminster 1 West Ham 2: A classic FA Cup tie drenched in non-League charm, with Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen, two of the players of the season, sparing West Ham's blushes.

Adrian Kajumba (AK): Manchester City 2 Tottenham 3 in the Premier League — but witnessing the magic of the Bernabeu first-hand when Real Madrid KO'd Chelsea from the Champions League was a privilege. 

Chris Wheeler (CW): Man City 2 Liverpool 2. A match of outstanding quality between the two best teams in the Premier League by some distance.

...and your goal of the season? 

IL: Mo Salah at home against Man City. Salah at his best. A blur of feet, a gymnast's balance and a surgeon's calmness. It was a goal good enough to win any game but City found a way to draw. 

SM: Mateo Kovacic versus Liverpool in the stalemate mentioned above. But Mo Salah's solo goal against Manchester City at Anfield was a joke. 

CH: Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes scoring a diving header at the Gallowgate End in the 95th minute to beat Leicester. It felt scripted given the instant hero worship afforded to the Brazilian. 

JG: Bernardo Silva, for Manchester City at Aston Villa. City went back to front on the counter in five seconds, from Riyad Mahrez in his own box to Bernardo Silva's sumptuous volley. Drew gasps from the home stands. 

Reds star Mo Salah's wondrous goal against City at Anfield was arguably the best of the season

The Egyptian star's inventive run and finish against Watford was also an outstanding strike

The Egyptian star's inventive run and finish against Watford was also an outstanding strike

DK: Mohamed Salah when he twisted and turned and shimmied his way around three Manchester City defenders before slamming an unstoppable drive past Ederson with his wrong foot. Magical.

TC: Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa v Brighton. A glorious strike to kickstart the Steven Gerrard era as Watkins cut in from the left and curled home from 20 yards. The new boss enjoyed it too, celebrating as he used to when he scored the winner at Anfield.

MB: Mo Salah's twinkling feet at Watford. Messi-esque brilliance from the depths of his early-season purple patch. The one he scored against City wasn't bad either. 

AK: Andriy Yarmolenko v Aston Villa. The finish was impressive but the circumstances in which he played and scored, with Ukraine under siege, made the goal and celebrations so emotional. 

CW: Mo Salah's incredible solo effort for Liverpool against City at Anfield. You'd like to call it a one-off, but he did it against Watford the next game.

Best player of the season and the top young star? 

IL: Diogo Jota has brought competition and options at Liverpool that have previously been absent. I have been thrilled to see Ryan Sessegnon break through at Tottenham. 

SM: Kevin De Bruyne. Just an incredible footballer. Youngster… Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace, who has a long England career ahead of him. 

City's Kevin De Bruyne (above, centre) was picked by a few as the best player of this campaign

Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota (pictured left) also received several nominations

Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota (pictured left) also received several nominations

CH: Mo Salah got my vote but, from a North East perspective, the transformation in Newcastle's Joelinton from centre-forward flop to midfield destroyer is worthy of recognition. For young player, I have loved watching Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt. 

JG: Kevin De Bruyne's form during the run-in means he just pips Mohamed Salah. Marc Guehi has been exceptional for Crystal Palace and has a very bright future. 

DK: Mo Salah. At his best - and we shouldn't underestimate the mark international disappointments have left - he was the best player on form in the world. Young star, Phil Foden. He's won more trophies in four seasons than a lot of clubs in their history.

TC: Christian Eriksen. Few thought he would kick a ball again, let alone resume his career at the highest level and perform so impressively for Brentford. Villa's Jacob Ramsey, 20, is raw but looks a star in the making.

MB: Diogo Jota, scoring vital goals for Liverpool and bridging the electric bursts of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz — and Conor Gallagher for a fine breakthrough season.

AK: Mo Salah has been the league's best player and has the goals and assists to back that up. Best young star has been Conor Gallagher. A real breath of fresh air for Crystal Palace this season. 

CW: Mo Salah (just ahead of Kevin De Bruyne) for firing Liverpool's challenge on four fronts — and Conor Gallagher whose performances for Crystal Palace brought a well-deserved England call-up.

Chelsea tyro Conor Gallagher (pictured right) had a superb season on loan at Crystal Palace

Chelsea tyro Conor Gallagher (pictured right) had a superb season on loan at Crystal Palace 

Which Premier League manager has done the best job? 

IL: Great to see so many competitors but I can't see beyond Thomas Frank at Brentford. To finish on the fringes of the top half on meagre resources is extraordinary. David Moyes, Graham Potter and Bruno Lage get honorary mentions. 

SM: Jurgen Klopp, obviously. But Thomas Frank has led Brentford to a quite brilliant season — so I'll go for him. Or David Moyes. Or Pep... 

CH: Jurgen Klopp would be my pick but, much like Joelinton above, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe deserves a mention for uniting a broken dressing room and taking a team set for relegation to the comfort of mid-table. 

JG: Pep Guardiola is manager of the year but with the resources, Thomas Frank has outperformed his peers. And yes, there is a difference between those two things. 

DK: Jurgen Klopp has masterminded a campaign in which Liverpool will play every possible game. He's won two trophies, reached the Champions League final and built another outstanding side.

TC: Antonio Conte. Tottenham have been drifting since the latter days of Mauricio Pochettino but Conte has turned them into a proper team again. Why on earth did Manchester United think they did not need him?

MB: Jurgen Klopp for attacking four competitions with a compelling style of football, and leadership to connect and inspire. 

Brentford's Thomas Frank was a left-field name mentioned as a potential manager of the year

Brentford's Thomas Frank was a left-field name mentioned as a potential manager of the year

AK: Patrick Vieira. Kept Palace up comfortably, reached the FA Cup semi-finals, improved the style and squad. Future looks bright for him and Palace. Nods to Antonio Conte and Eddie Howe too. 

CW: Hard to look beyond Jurgen

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