THE 2020/21 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE COMES TO AN END.
Written by AIGBOKHAEBHO OKHUELEIGBE on May 24, 2021
The 2020/21 English Premier League season was completed after eight months of continued action with majority of the matches being played under closed doors and in strict adherence to protocols due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although not without a few of VAR controversies and some questionable referee calls that characterized the previous season.
Manchester city were presented the premier league trophy on the final day of the season having won the title with two games to spare, only after putting five goals past a hapless Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton in a game which saw club legend Sergio Aguero score a brace from the bench on his final game for the citizens, after 10 years of a trophy laden spell.
Manchester United handed Nuno Espirito Santos side, a two goals to one loss at their home ground at the mollineux in coach Santos’ final match at the club. The victory saw Ole Gunner Solskjaer equal Arsene Wenger’s record of not losing an away match in a premier League season. 19 year old Anthony Elanga and Juan Mata were on the scoresheet for the Red devils while Nelson Semedo scored Wolves only goal of the match.
Despite a very disappointing season for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, the former champion who had to win their final five matches of the season, were still able to secure a champions league spot after an impressive win over Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace in the manager’s final game as the coach of Palace. Sadio Mane was the saviour of the day with a brace, with midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, playing in his last game for the Reds after winning four major trophies in five seasons at the club.
Chelsea were able to claim the final champions league spot despite falling to a shocking defeat at Villa Park. Although they lost, they were able to secure champions league football for next season, thanks to Tottenham Hotspur’s 4 – 2 victory over the foxes. The loss means Leicester City dropped to fifth meaning they will be playing Europa League football next season after spending 242 days in the top 4.
Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League. It was a bad spell that saw West Brom and Sheffield managers sacked which brought the total tally of coaches sacked in the Premier League this season to four with Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho being the other two.
EDITORS: LAWAL KABIR, JULIUS JIMISOLA
