NOTHING TOPS KOMPANY CRACKER!
AFTER being pushed to the limit by Liverpool, Manchester City have won the most exciting title race. Here are my award winners from an unforgettable campaign…
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
I CANNOT remember a player who has transformed a Premier League team more than Virgil van Dijk.
This time last season, Van Dijk had only been a Liverpool player for six months and his new side needed to beat Brighton on the final day to confirm a top-four spot.
Now they have posted a points total that would have won the title in pretty much every other season.
Raheem Sterling is the player who gets me out of my seat the most, but Van Dijk has taken Liverpool to another level.
UNEXPECTED STAR
MOUSSA SISSOKO’S emergence as Tottenham’s midfield powerhouse.
I was not alone in thinking that Sissoko would be heading for the exit door last summer. Instead, injuries to Harry Winks and the sale of Mousa Dembele forced Mauricio Pochettino to move Sissoko (below) into the middle.
It proved a masterstroke — and only underlines just how much Pochettino improves players.
STAR SIGNING
LIVERPOOL needed a goalkeeper after Loris Karius’s errors in last season’s Champions League final. They paid a then-record £65million to sign Alisson but the Brazilian has been worth every penny. There may have been some nervy moments when he has dwelled too long in possession but his 21 clean sheets say it all. Leicester also did a great bit of business by bringing in James Maddison from Norwich. I watched his debut at Old Trafford in the first round of games and it looked like he had been playing in the Premier League for years. He created exactly 100 chances — more than any player in the league this season.
BEST BOSS
HE may not have won the title but Jurgen Klopp has done a remarkable job. Not only has he pushed Manchester City to the limit, but he has also reached a second successive Champions League final.
GAME OF THE SEASON
CITy’S 2-1 win over Liverpool in January. So often these crucial matches at the top are cagey affairs but this lived up to its billing as a defining game in the title race.
Both teams were relentless in their pursuit of victory and just watching it left you breathless. This was football at its best.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
ANDROS TOWNSEND’S volley in Crystal Palace’s win at City. Townsend (right) showed incredible technique to beat Ederson, the best goalkeeper in the league, while his shot was so powerful that I’m sure that ball is still going!
MAGICAL MOMENT
VINCENT KOMPANy’S stunning goal against Leicester. City had been running through treacle and their title hopes were fading. Then their most loyal servant let fly to create an iconic Premier League moment.
Until that rocket last week, my favourite moment had been Declan Rice’s first goal for West Ham to sink Arsenal. He has been one of the best young players this season and you could see the joy written all over his face.
SURPRISE PACKAGE
WHILE I did not think Wolves would struggle, I did not see them finishing seventh and reaching an FA Cup semi-final. Ruben Neves is one of the most exciting midfielders in the Premier League. He reminds me of Xabi Alonso and Wolves face a challenge to keep hold of him.
UNDERACHIEVERS
IT FEELS like we are back to square one with Manchester United. This is a team in turmoil. The fear is that this time next season, United will find themselves in exactly the same position.