Catch 22

22 years of glory, excitement, drama and controversy were perfectly encapsulated in the 22nd Premier League season ever.

From Sunderland’s great escape to Manchester City’s dominance, every single side has had an appealing, terrific and fiery 10 months that either ended in glory or disappointment, but most definitely goals.

1,052 Premier League goals were scored, amongst them Wayne Rooney’s Beckham-esque strike, Pajtim Kasami’s wonder goal and Jack Wilshere’s unparalleled team goal for Arsenal. Liverpool and Manchester City tore up the goal-scoring charts while Petr Cech and Chelsea were the greatest defence in this crazy league. For the first time in history, two sides scored over a 100 goals, and the football played by the stylish Liverpool side and the incisive Manchester City completely merited them. Even Asmir Begovic got in on the act within 12 seconds for the Potters against the Saints, becoming only the 5th keeper in English history to score.

A record 10 managers lost their job this season, amongst them (and probably most notoriously) Manchester United’s chosen one David Moyes, their Fired One Rene Meulensteen at Fulham, and the explosive Paolo Di Canio was another controversial name to leave. Fulham unsuccessfully tried 3 managers this season, only to fall short at the end. Several managers still have uncertain futures such as Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew – the latter having missed 7 games as part of a ban for HEADBUTTING David Meyler!

Mile Jedinak led the way with 133 tackles; a clear effect of Tony Pulis’ superior knowledge of the explosive art of crushing your opponents with strength, speed and pure English football to defeat them – a successful season earned him the league’s manager of the year. He was hard-pushed by the miracle worker Gustavo Poyet, who beat Manchester City, Chelsea (x2) and Manchester United (x2) in an incredible, ludicrous and improbable survival bid that saw them scale the heady heights of 14th after spending much of the season as bottom-feeders. They even managed a League Cup final but succumbed to a rocket of a Yaya Toure goal.

The sumptuous form of Luis Suarez – who scored 31 goals in 33 games – and Eden Hazard’s bamboozling trickery earned them the PFA’s Player of The Year and the younger accolade respectively. Luis Suarez also conquered the European Golden Shoe (shared with the mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo) and the Football Writer’s Player of the Year and the Barclays Golden Boot.

Chelsea FC may have come up with a frankly ridiculous record against the top 7 teams (lost one, drew 3, won 8) but Liverpool managed to absolutely demolish Tottenham and Arsenal – who were also crushed by Manchester City.

The battle at the bottom saw Chris Hughton’s Norwich, Fulham and controversial Vincent Tan’s Cardiff relegated. West Brom survived without Steven Clarke and Mark Hughes re-modelled Stoke City. Paul Lambert kept young Villa alive, and Swansea remained the pass-masters despite sacking the excellent Michael Laudrup. Southampton were exciting and their English core will dictate England’s fate at the World Cup, but the sacking of Nicola Cortese halted their charge. Steve Bruce intelligently led Hull to the FA Cup final (whilst Sam Allardyce beat Spurs THRICE this season) but lost to a hungry Ramsey.

A special tribute should be extended to the only man who managed to play (and score) in EVERY SINGLE Premier League season as he reaches the end of his stellar career. Ryan Giggs will never be forgotten by fans of any team, but especially not of the Manchester United side he spent so many years at as a child, a player, and then a manager. A true legend of the game.

All in all, this was surely a perfect 380 games to advertise the Premier League.