That is that then. The 2022/23 Premier League campaign is over. There were only a few things to settle heading into the final day but it was still drama-filled. For the last time this season, a look at some of the most significant talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Emery is taking Villa on a European adventure
When Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as Aston Villa manager in November, few would’ve envisaged the Spaniard sparking such a remarkable turnaround in form. Villa were in the bottom five at the time but have been one of the form sides since the former Arsenal manager made Villa Park his home. The 2-1 win over Brighton meant they pipped Spurs to a Europa Conference League place by a single point.
Douglas Luiz capped off his most productive season to date with his sixth of the season while Ollie Watkins eclipsed the 14 goals he scored during his debut campaign with the club with his 15th goal turning out to be the winner.
It was a deserved win with the hosts finishing the game with an Expected Goals haul of 2.85 to the visitor’s tally of 1.35.
No new manager bounce at Elland Road
Leeds had to beat Spurs to have any chance of remaining in the Premier League so eyebrows were raised when Sam Allardyce named a fairly defensive starting XI. The former England boss named six defenders in his team, though Robin Koch was deployed in midfield once again, and went with just one real goal threat in Rodrigo.
They found themselves 1-0 down within two minutes. Leeds did respond well to this and finished the first half with a higher xG (0.82 to 0.61). However, the game got away from the home side after the break with Spurs adding a second just two minutes into the second half.
Jack Harrison halved the deficit for two minutes before Harry Kane added his second of the day and his 30th of the season. Lucas Moura added Tottenham’s fourth in added time with his final goal for the club.
Allardyce’s men did have almost twice as many shots as Spurs but created just a single big chance. His arrival in the dugout didn’t give Leeds the boost they needed to stay up and he added just one point across four matches.
The Foxes pounce too late
Leicester were another team battling relegation. Dean Smith’s men needed to win against West Ham while also needing Everton to drop points at home to Bournemouth. The Foxes held up their end of the bargain, claiming a 2-1 win over the Hammers courtesy of goals from Harvey Barnes and Wout Faes.
In what was likely his final game for the club, Youri Tielemans put on a show for the home fans. The Belgium international created two chances and claimed an assist while also winning 100% of his ground duels and tackles.
Results went against Leicester though and the 2015/16 Premier League champions are going to be playing Championship football next season.
The Toffees get out of a sticky situation
Everton knew that a win would keep them in the English top flight. A draw might be enough if results elsewhere go in their favour but their fate was in their own hands.
Sean Dyche was without Dominic Calvert-Lewin and started the game without a recognised striker on the pitch. It wasn’t the prettiest of matches and chances were few and far between for both the home side and Bournemouth, though the hosts did dominate the ball with 62% possession.
In the end, Abdoulaye Doucoure’s long-range effort just before the hour mark proved to be the difference maker with Everton holding out for a 1-0 win. The Toffees finished two points outside of the relegation zone.
The Champions are defeated
Manchester City’s game against Brentford was a bit of a dead rubber. City were already champions and their attention was no doubt on next week’s FA Cup final – it would explain the starting XI put out by Pep Guardiola. The Bees had secured a top-half finish and the highest they could climb would be to 8th and for that to happen they needed Spurs to lose.
Ethan Pinnock found the back of the net in the 85th minute. With Brentford holding on for the win it meant Thomas Frank’s side did the double over the champions.
It also meant that the champions finished on fewer than 90 points for only the second time in the past seven seasons. City claimed the title in 2020/21 with 86 points.
Ending the season with goals
How about this for a stat – 11% of Southampton’s goals for the 2022/23 campaign were scored on the final day.
The Saints scored four against Liverpool and despite having a 4-2 lead with just 25 minutes remaining, they failed to pick up maximum points. The Reds rallied to score two late goals and salvaged a point to extend their unbeaten run to 11.
It had a real end-of-the-season vibe to the game at St Mary’s with both teams changing their starting XIs. Jurgen Klopp’s side were the dominant team though, amassing an xG of 4.05, taking 30 shots and having six big chances.
(Images from IMAGO)
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