Premier League Reviewed

TDT | Manama

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The 2024-25 Premier League season delivered thrills, surprises, and heartbreak, with Liverpool storming to the title under Arne Slot, while Southampton set unwanted records at the bottom. From Champions League battles to relegation scraps, here’s how each team fared as the campaign wrapped up on Sunday.

Liverpool Lead the Way

Arne Slot’s debut season at Anfield was a masterclass, with a 26-game unbeaten run securing Liverpool’s second title since 2020. Despite a tough March, with exits in Europe and the League Cup final, the Reds finished well clear of Arsenal. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk shone, but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid leaves a gap to fill.

Arsenal’s Near Miss

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal fell short again, finishing as runners-up for the third straight year. A Champions League semi-final loss to PSG highlighted their need for a top striker. Despite Manchester City’s struggles, Arsenal couldn’t seize the moment, ending well behind Liverpool and searching for silverware.

City Salvage Season

Manchester City’s hopes of a fifth consecutive title faded after a mid-season slump, exacerbated by Rodri’s knee injury. A 2-0 win at Fulham on the final day secured third place and Champions League football, but an early Champions League exit and FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace left Pep Guardiola’s side trophyless for the first time in eight years.

Chelsea’s Late Charge

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea clinched a Champions League spot with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on the last day. A billion-pound squad faced pressure, and a mid-season dip made the top five a fight. With a UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis looming, silverware could yet cap their campaign.

Newcastle’s Breakthrough

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought with a 2-1 League Cup final win over Liverpool, thanks to Dan Burn and Alexander Isak. Their fifth-place finish earned Champions League football, but keeping Isak amid interest from rivals will be key.

Villa’s Mixed Bag

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa thrilled with their attacking style, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-finals. Beating Bayern Munich and PSG were highlights, but a final-day loss to Manchester United cost them a top-five spot. Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez starred in a talented squad.

Forest’s European Return

Nottingham Forest, powered by Chris Wood’s 20 goals, defied expectations to finish seventh and secure Conference League football. Nuno Espirito Santo’s solid setup and Morgan Gibbs-White’s playmaking kept them in the top three for much of the season, despite a late slump.

Brighton’s Inconsistency

Fabian Huerzeler’s Brighton finished eighth but were plagued by inconsistency. Wins over Liverpool and City were offset by a 7-0 loss to Forest and an eight-game winless run. Yankuba Minteh and Joao Pedro impressed, but keeping their stars will be a summer challenge.

Bournemouth’s Record Haul

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth set a club-record points tally, finishing ninth with their high-pressing style. Memorable wins over City and Arsenal showed their progress, with youngsters like Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez catching the eye.

Brentford’s Firepower

Brentford’s entertaining season saw them finish 10th, with Bryan Mbuemo (20 goals) and Yoan Wissa (19) outscoring most rivals. Thomas Frank’s side conceded heavily at home but matched the firepower of top clubs, falling just short of Europe.

Fulham’s Steady Progress

Marco Silva’s Fulham secured 11th, continuing their mid-table stability. Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe led the attack, but an FA Cup quarter-final loss to Crystal Palace felt like a missed chance to push for more.

Palace’s Historic Triumph

Crystal Palace’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City was their first major trophy, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze starring. Oliver Glasner’s side hit a club-record 53 points, earning Europa League football despite a slow start.

Everton’s Emotional Farewell

David Moyes’ return sparked a nine-game unbeaten run to keep Everton safe, with Beto’s 10 goals and James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute screamer against Liverpool defining their season. A final win at Goodison Park marked a poignant goodbye after 133 years.

West Ham’s Woes

West Ham’s season disappointed, with Julen Lopetegui sacked after 20 games. Graham Potter’s arrival brought marginal improvement, but Jarrod Bowen’s 13 goals couldn’t lift them above 14th. A reset is needed.

United’s Dismal Campaign

Manchester United endured their worst top-flight season since 1974, finishing 15th. Erik ten Hag’s sacking and Ruben Amorim’s struggles, plus a Europa League final loss to Tottenham, left the club reeling without Champions League revenue.

Wolves’ Revival

Vitor Pereira turned Wolves around, securing safety with a six-game winning run. Matheus Cunha’s goals were key, but his likely summer exit poses a challenge for a potential top-half push next season.

Spurs’ Trophy Lifeline

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham won the Europa League, ending a 17-year trophy drought, but 22 league defeats marred their campaign. Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray offer hope, with Champions League football a surprise bonus.

Leicester’s Collapse

Leicester’s relegation was confirmed early, with nine consecutive home losses without scoring. Steve Cooper and Ruud van Nistelrooy couldn’t stop the slide, marking a swift return to the Championship.

Ipswich Overwhelmed

Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich managed just four wins after back-to-back promotions. Liam Delap’s 12 goals drew attention, but relegation was inevitable, though optimism remains for a Championship challenge.

Southampton’s Record Low

Southampton’s 30 defeats and 86 goals conceded set Premier League records, with relegation sealed in April. Aaron Ramsdale’s 125 saves couldn’t prevent a torrid campaign, leaving Will Still with a rebuilding job.