And it’s all over! After an incredible nine months of football, and the second-highest number of goals ever scored in a Premier League campaign, the curtain falls on the 2021/22 season, one of the best that we have seen for several years.
As we have become accustomed to this season, all of our remaining questions were answered in style. Manchester City’s incredible comeback victory over Aston Villa from 2-0 down saw the Sky Blues retain their Premier League crown, in a manner so reminiscent of their first Premier League title win exactly ten years ago. Elsewhere, Leeds United defied the odds and managed to survive relegation at Burnley’s expense with a stoppage time win over Brentford, whilst Tottenham finished the job to secure a top four spot by hammering a dreadful Norwich City side.
For the final time this campaign, here are our five Stars of the Week.
Stars of the Week: Matchweek 38
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
The final day may have been lacking some of the goalkeeping heroics that we’ve seen so much of in recent weeks, but in Liverpool’s feisty clash with Wolves at Anfield, Alisson showed once more why he has been getting so many plaudits this season. Although the Brazilian had no chance of stopping Pedro Neto’s early opener from close range, he still made a number of excellent saves with the game finely balanced at 1-1.
It was a day where the Reds looked unexpectedly shaky at the back, and Alisson made four saves in total, including a crucial block from a 1-on-1 with Hwang Hee-Chan. Although Liverpool eventually fell just short in the title race, Alisson more than played his part to ensure that the team came away with three points on the final day.
Defender: Cedric Soares (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s thumping 5-1 win over Everton marked a strong ending to a mixed campaign for the Gunners, who finished the season outside the top four as we eventually came to expect. Forgetting the overarching sense of disappointment, Arsenal played brilliantly on the final day, and of all people it was Cedric Soares who shone the brightest.
With his side 2-1 up, the fullback hammered home an effort following a corner, and his smart through ball to fellow defender Gabriel at another set-piece situation earned Cedric an assist, as well as adding extra gloss to the scoreline.
With a big summer ahead, this was a perfect day for the Arsenal man to showcase what he could offer to the team next season.
Midfielder: Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
How’s that for déjà vu? Manchester City looked to be heading towards an improbable disaster against mid-table Aston Villa, but the team eventually prevailed 3-2 with a stunning turnaround to claim the title.
And how can you mention City’s incredible victory without focusing on the brilliant Ilkay Gundogan? The German midfielder’s entry into the game on 60 minutes changed everything, and he popped up with a clinical back post header on 75 minutes to halve Villa’s lead and give City belief. Just five minutes later, Gundogan finished the job, slotting home from point-blank range to give his team the lead and send the Etihad into delirium.
With one of the all-time great final day performances, Gundogan has claimed a truly legendary moment in Premier League history.
Forward: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur)
What a fantastic few months it has been for Tottenham Hotspur, and especially Son Heung-Min, with both club and player experiencing delight on the final day of the season.
Avoiding defeat against an already relegated Norwich City would’ve been enough for Spurs to finish fourth, but they instead signed off the season in style with a 5-0 victory, to which Son was instrumental. With his team already 3-0 up and cruising, the South Korean got between the Norwich centre-backs to sweep home a clinical finish beyond Tim Krul, and just minutes later hit a stunning strike into the top corner to seal the rout.
23 goals, 1 golden boot, and 0 penalties. A fitting end to what has simply been an incredible season for Son Heung-Min.
Manager: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
He’s done it again. Just when it looked like Pep’s City were heading for an unthinkable collapse, the Spaniard instead inspired his team to a remarkable comeback to claim a fourth league title in five seasons.
With City well below par for three quarters of the game, it was Pep’s substitutions that changed everything, with Raheem Sterling and Oleksandr Zinchenko each bagging an assist and Ilkay Gundogan staking a claim for the greatest substitution in Premier League history by scoring two decisive goals.
It was the 29th league win of a remarkable season, as Pep emerged on top again. With Erling Haaland on his way to the Etihad, you just wonder who can stop Pep and City next time around.
