West Ham United’s Andy Carroll scores wonderful bicycle kick
The Premier League is now over for another year and Antonio Conte delivered the title in his first season in charge of Chelsea.
The Italian was well deserving of the crown which saw the Blues accumulate a total of 90 points – the third highest since the modern top flight was created.
But, Chelsea’s success was just a small chapter in another wonderful and captivating season of Premier League football.
We take a look at some of the best moments from, arguably, the most entertaining league in the world.
Game of the season
One of the greatest games in Premier League history happened when Bournemouth entertained Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries raced into a 3-0 lead after 60 minutes and the match looked to be all over before Arsenal somehow recovered to draw 3-3.
The whole game was played at a frantic pace before Olivier Giroud’s late equaliser broke Bournemouth fans hearts.
Arsenal’s case was helped when Simon Francis was sent off for Eddie Howe’s side and the Gunners even went close to nicking the match at the death.
Goal of the season
There have been plenty of wonderful goals scored in the Premier League this campaign, including Giroud’s scorpion kick and Emre Can’s overhead attempt.
West Ham United’s Andy Carroll’s bicycle kick against Crystal Palace will long live in the memory of all football fans.
The striker had to generate all the power and direction himself in the shot as the ball is moving away from him, and at an awkward height.
However, Carroll finished expertly with aplomb and left Eagles keeper Wayne Hennessey with absolutely no chance.
Player of the season
This has got to be the easiest and most deserving decision, and goes to Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.
The £30 million signing from Leicester City in the summer turned out to be vital for the Blues Premier League success.
Kante is easily Chelsea’s most valuable player and his work rate and energy in midfield makes him one of the best defensive midfielder’s in the world.
It’s no coincidence that Leicester failed so miserably in their title defence after their prized asset left to join Conte’s men.
Disappointment of the season
Leicester City were never going to win the league again, especially after losing the irreplaceable Kante, but they shouldn’t have been involved in a relegation scrap for most of the campaign.
However, the biggest disappointment has to come from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City who many had tipped to become champions.
The former Barcelona manager had arrived to the Premier League with a huge reputation to live up to.
However, if Guardiola was unsure just how difficult life in England was, then he definitely knows now after a season that was way below par for his standards.
Manchester City finished third in the league, only reached the last-16 of the Champions League and got knocked out of the FA Cup in the semi-finals.
Manager of the season
This has to be given to Conte after his wonderful debut season in charge of Chelsea.
The former Juventus manager took over from a Blues side low on confidence after finishing 10th the season before.
And it looked like Conte would be in for another tough season, especially when Chelsea lost 3-0 to Arsenal in September.
The defeat prompted him to change formation to a 3-4-3 which saw his team win 13 times in a row and a record 30 matches in one campaign.
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