This crazy season may just leave a wonderful legacy
THE Premier League has never known a season like 2019- 20 with Liverpool’s first title for three decades, the controversial introduction of VAR and an unprecedented mid-season shutdown equivalent to a three-month spring break.
With the final fixtures played today, I cast my mind back over the past 11 months — yes, 11 months! — for the highs and lows from a once-in-a-lifetime campaign. BEST GAME
LIVERPOOL’S 3-1 win over Manchester City at Anfield in November was pivotal. Not only was it an incredible performance, it also meant they finished the day nine points clear at the top instead of three. From there, momentum and belief were unstoppable.
Fabinho’s stunning strike set the tone and Mo Salah and Sadio Mane scored either side of half- time. Having been pipped by City the previous year, this was Jurgen Klopp’s players saying, ‘There will be no repeat this time.’
BEST GOAL
THE overhead kick by Brighton’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Kevin De Bruyne’s strike against Newcastle were special. But the one I’d love to have scored was the stunning halfvolley by Leicester’s Harvey Barnes against Sheffield United in August.
That type of goal doesn’t come around very often. The technique is hard enough in itself and it’s very rare the ball falls for you to have a go during a match. Barnes caught it so sweetly. It was an absolute beauty — and the winner as well.
SURPRISE PACKAGE
LIKE nearly everyone else, I didn’t see it coming. Relegation favourites Sheffield United have been challenging for Europe most of the season and will finish in the top half of the table and that’s not by luck.
They are well- coached, play a great formation, have a fit squad who combine intensity with the intelligence to rotate positions on the pitch and are very good defensively. It has been a brilliant collective effort. The two strikers they signed: Oli McBurnie and Lys Mousset made real contributions.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
AFTER 30 years of waiting, it seemed grossly unfair, though obviously unavoidable, that Liverpool supporters weren’t able to share the moment of Jordan Henderson lifting the trophy inside Anfield.
These times have meant all fans having to witness the drama involvi ng t heir t eams second- hand. Because I grew up watching football on the Kop, I particularly felt for Liverpool. I am aware of the togetherness between their players and fans and it was a huge shame the joy of winning the league and celebrations couldn’t be normal.
BEST BUY
I AM torn between Bruno Fernandes and Newcastle’s Allan SaintMaximin, who has been the catalyst for his team avoiding any relegation trouble. For £16million, he has proved an absolute bargain, their best player by a mile.
The Fernandes story at Old Trafford has been equally amazing. He arrived in January and has practically turned around Manchester United’s season single-handedly. Very few players can walk into a club that size and make an impact so quickly.
WORST BUY
I FEEL for Joelinton and hope he can kick on in that second season like others have done in the past. But there is no point in sugar-coating it, for £40million he has really struggled and been a major disappointment. He’s fortunate to be in a well-organised team otherwise his lack of goals, two in 37 Premier League games, would have become even more of an issue. It can be particularly tough for strikers when they first come into the Premier League.
SEASON’S LEGACY
I WAS hoping football’s lockdown would lead to greater appreciation of what we have from managers, players and fans. I think that’s been the case. Since the resumption, there has been less abuse and nastiness, fewer bad fouls and less arguing with officials.
When fans return, I hope and expect more of the same. You can be passionate cheering your team without i ndulging i n mindless behaviour, particularly when it involves racism or homophobia.
The number of yellow cards per game has fallen from 3.6 to 2.9 since Project Restart. Red cards are down as well. And it hasn’t made the games any less enjoyable or competitive. Maybe the lack of a crowd has eased the pressure but it’d be nice to think when fans are back, the new spirit continues.
WATCH OUT FOR
MANCHESTER is blessed to have two of Europe’s best young talents; Phil Foden at City and Mason Greenwood at United. If they maintain their progress, I can’t see why they wouldn’t be in Gareth Southgate’s England plans next summer.
Greenwood is looking like a superstar. He is probably the most natural finisher English football has seen since Robbie Fowler. To strike the ball so cleanly with either foot gives him a great advantage. He can go either way on the ball and that’s a problem for defenders.
Ultimately, he’ll be a centreforward because he can also hold the ball and link play — we saw that against West Ham last week with his brilliant one-two with Anthony Martial.
MUST DO BETTER
IF David De Gea is around in 202021 — and that’s a big if — he can’t afford to continue his current form if Manchester United want to challenge at the top. Nobody is doubting De Gea’s ability and he doesn’t look as if he is suffering physically or has let himself get out of condition. So it has to be mental. It looks more like a lack of concentration rather than a technical flaw or conditioning.