The Hard Tackle rounds up Gameweek 38 of the Premier League, with Everton and Aston Villa the big winners, while Leicester City and Leeds United suffer relegation.
The final day of the Premier League season does have something about it. Be it the relaxed viewing for most fans or the tense nature of those wondering if their team is going down. This time, 14 fanbases had nothing to worry about, and three of the remaining six sat on the edge of their seats wherever that was.
There was no changing of the guard in the top six, which was confirmed after Brighton and Manchester United’s result in midweek. In the top four, Newcastle United may have hoped there was an upset at Old Trafford, and they triumph over an already battered Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to climb into third.
🏆 YOUR 2022/23 #PL CHAMPIONS 🏆
Congratulations, @ManCity! pic.twitter.com/5SqJrl0QrR
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 20, 2023
Nothing happened, and the top four remained the way it was heading into the final matchday. Arsenal secured a solid win in their typical season-ending manner, while Manchester City lost to Brentford. They have lost four points in their final two games, making all Gunners fans wonder if there was something had their team not lost out vital points in the late run-in.
Manchester City’s coronation was already done last Sunday at the Etihad, meaning the only thing to look forward to was the relegation scrap. There was also the outside interest for many fans to see who finishes in the final European place to play in the Conference League.
Ask any Tottenham fans, and they will tell it’s good riddance their team did not qualify for the dreaded third-tier European competition. Meanwhile, Brentford fans will have dreamed of it, and Aston Villa will live it in the flesh as they make it into the Conference League in a remarkable season under Unai Emery.
Tottenham finishing outside of European places may come as a shock to many but not to Spurs fans. The dreadful form of the team is to blame for their massive downfall. This is the same team that finished in the top four last season, and the downfall has been massive.
However, all the attention was fixated on what happens in the relegation race, with plenty of drama over at Goodison Park and the King Power. Leeds United seemed to have sealed their fate in minute two of their game against Tottenham, with 1-4 the final reading on the scoreboard at Elland Road.
The final twist in the relegation battle ⚔️
📊 @Oracle | #EVEBOU pic.twitter.com/DkdfJmohpB
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 29, 2023
Realistically, Everton was the favourites to remain in the Premier League. They had to ensure at least a point and hope Leicester and Leeds falter. The Foxes led against West Ham and eventually won the contest. They did lose their place in the Premier League, though.
Everton have a new hero in Abdoulaye Doucoure, scoring the winner against Bournemouth and kept the Toffees safe. It’s not the only contribution from the Frenchman, as he has been their new ‘Richarlison,’ scoring many crucial goals in the relegation run-in.
That said, we have winners of this game week in Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester United. The losers section consists of Leeds United, Leicester City, and Tottenham (despite their win), while Chelsea has a shout-out here following a dismal end to a disastrous season.
Winners
Everton
The post-match pitch invasion caused plenty of debate in the media. One section suggested it was a sense of entitlement for the fans to gather here, while others stated there was nothing to celebrate here owing to another dismal season.
Incredible scenes at Goodison as Everton win the league for the second year in a row! pic.twitter.com/b7qGM7GBYO
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 28, 2023
When the final whistle was blown, Everton fans were only euphoric for their team to survive the ordeal of relegation. It’s common in English football that they don’t have barricades between the seating and the pitch. Considering the fans outweigh the stewards, such a show of joy is not outwardly unthinkable.
Doucoure’s five goals for Everton this season have come since March. Those strikes have been worth at least 8 points for the Toffees, which has been tremendous in the region. It’s a similar impact to Richarlison’s last season, but considering the race down to the wire, it adds more importance to Doucoure’s goal.
They might have snatched safety on the last day of the season, but for a club of Everton’s stature, they should not be in this position, let alone in a relegation scrap altogether. They are a big club that can challenge for a much higher position. In hindsight, they need massive surgery at the board level and then start disinfecting the rot in the other club areas.
Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard was a big gamble, which Aston Villa didn’t think of when appointing him as Dean Smith’s successor. After a modest half-season under his belt and riding high on his achievements with Rangers, the Liverpool legend was in for a tough time in his first full campaign in the top flight.
Unai Emery took Aston Villa from relegation bound to Europe 👏 pic.twitter.com/5iuIEBgR1M
— GOAL (@goal) May 28, 2023
Internal problems, stripping Tyrone Mings of the captaincy, and making little use of the players tactically all went against Gerrard. Aston Villa made a good decision to sack him and bring in the masterful Unai Emery at the right time.
Barely anyone would have envisaged the Spaniard to transform the fortunes unimaginably and take Villa into Europe next season. There’s often the case of a new manager bounce, but Emery ensured consistency in performances until the end of the campaign, which came with its rewards.
No wonder he is among the six contenders for the manager of the season, and if he wins, it’s thoroughly deserved. While he has built his reputation majorly around the UEFA Cup/Europa League, Emery returned to England with his reputation tarnished a bit due to his time at Arsenal.
However, there was a tremendous manager who knew how to get the best out of his players. This Villa side is tactically sound, and each player knows their role to perfection. They went into the last game under pressure, as only a win would guarantee them a place in the Conference League next season.
Emery ensured his team played their natural game, and the victory over Brighton was well deserved. He also won a tremendous tactical battle against his counterpart Roberto De Zerbi, who has had a tremendous season taking Brighton into the Europa League.
Manchester United and Newcastle United
With the top four places sealed well before the final matchday, it was only a matter of deciding who would finish where. Manchester United’s midweek win over Chelsea brought them back into third following Newcastle’s draw to Leicester.
WE ARE NEWCASTLE UNITED.
WE ARE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE! 🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/NaMKa6CJGJ
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 22, 2023
On the final day, Newcastle took the lead over Chelsea while Manchester United trailed Fulham. The tables were turned when the Red Devils won their clash, while the Magpies could only manage a draw away to Chelsea. With that, Erik ten Hag were confirmed for the third position.
Considering where they finished last season, it’s been a good season for the Red Devils. Bringing Champions League football was the main agenda for Ten Hag following his arrival at the club. He managed that along with the Carabao Cup and could win the FA Cup before the season finally drew close.
Meanwhile, everyone thought about Newcastle as this financial monster who would usurp everyone in their path and gain momentum in their league position. They remain one of the richest teams, but they have not used that to their advantage.
No overpaying for players nor astronomical wages or looking to bring the coveted stars to St James Park. Instead, Eddie Howe, alongside director Dan Ashworth has done a commendable job of building a really good squad, which showed its worth.
The money is on Newcastle to maintain this momentum in future seasons and probably challenge the Premier League title at some stage. The Geordies are thrilled to finish in the top four and bring Champions League football to the north of England.
Their performances have been astute, while their planning deserves massive credit. The road looks positive, and there’s a feel-good factor with the sort of end they had to the season. All eyeballs will now focus on building from this position, but the future looks bright for the Magpies.
Losers
Leeds United & Leicester City
Leeds United have manoeuvred through three seasons of Premier League football, with the first the most memorable with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm. Having sacked the Chilean last season, they have endured difficulties under Jesse Marsch and the managers following the American.
BREAKING! Leicester have officially been relegated from the Premier League 📉🚨 pic.twitter.com/DmOXUsE6I8
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 28, 2023
Leeds did a Watford by sacking two managers and bringing in relegations specialists that they hoped would revive a fortune. Instead, Sam Allardyce pocketed a handsome fee to manage for four games, as the Whites were favourites to suffer relegation.
While nobody expected Leeds to come through under miraculous circumstances, Leicester City still had the chance to make something happen. They did fail eventually, but only by putting up a fight. The Foxes drew at Newcastle in midweek, which gave them massive hope going into the final game.
They also won against West Ham at home, but the victory might have come a little too late for their liking. It’s remarkable to know this is the same Leicester team that won the Premier League in 2015/16, then the FA Cup a few seasons later.
What’s astonishing is that the club had the means to bring in good players to strengthen the squad in the last two windows. While they did not do that, the club failed to replace some of their key stars from the past, such as Kasper Schmeichel.
Additionally, their management of player contracts could be better, as some key stars are about to depart on a free transfer. There will certainly be a clear out of the club as James Maddison and Harvey Barnes leave for good.
Chelsea & Tottenham Hotspur
The London Giants were supposed to compete at the highest level when the season started. From the Blues spending mercilessly to Spurs winning the summer transfer window, the downfall has been all very dramatic for the London duo as they end the season in abject disappointment.
Harry Kane message to Spurs fans: “The season didn’t go how we wanted, but I can only thank Tottenham fans for their relentless support all year”. ⚪️ #THFC
“Becoming club’s all time leading goal scorer fills me with incredible pride”. pic.twitter.com/ju19VJLT34
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 28, 2023
Chelsea’s story is all the more baffling considering the £600 million or so they spent on new players. No one besides Enzo Fernandez has proved anything noteworthy this season, with the Argentine only arriving at the end of January.
Reports show they might have to spend another truckload to get their act together. So, the decisions, tactical nous, and managerial appointments have all cast doubt on their prospects. In hindsight, their 12th-placed finish was deserved.
On the north side of London, things did look bright early on but soured into abject darkness as the season progressed. After sections of the media declared Tottenham as the winners of last summer’s transfer window, it was only a matter of time before they challenged for the Premier League title under Antonio Conte.
Conte has since left under dramatic circumstances, and Tottenham have finished 8th on the table. There will be no European football next season, although many Spurs fans are happy to avoid the dreaded Conference League altogether.
Like Chelsea, Tottenham needs major surgery to disinfect the rot at all levels. The summer could also see talisman Harry Kane depart as he will now focus on winning things in his otherwise fruitful and prolific career.
