After one whirlwind of a Premier League season, it is finally time to say goodbye. Leicester City scripted, arguably the most unlikeliest of title wins in the history of the game. The Foxes beat incredible odds of 5000/1 to lift the trophy.
Something like this might never happen again but there were also other iconic moments that defined the season and gave fans around the world to remember the year by. A season when the big teams were expected to fire saw a renaissance by the so-called smaller sides.
So here are the 10 iconic moments from the season
10) Jamie Vardy breaking Van Nistelrooy’s record
Jamie Vardy’s season just highlights the incredible nature of Leicester City’s title win. The English striker was playing non-league football not so long ago and now he has been called up by Roy Hodgson to the English National Team for the Euros which will take place in France this summer.
Vardy broke a goalscoring record this season that was held by former Manchester United hitman Ruud Van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman scored in 10 consecutive premier League games which was the longest by a player in the Premier League.
Vardy broke that record by going one better scoring in his 11th consecutive game which was against Nistelrooy’s old club. A very fitting way for the striker to crown his achievement. Only time will tell how long this record will last!
9) Aguero's 5 goals against Newcastle
During the initial stages of the season, everyone thought Manchester City were going to run away with the title. Such was their incredible form that they won 5 games on the trot without conceding a single goal.
It’s funny how things have turned out isn’t it. But nothing should be taken away from City’s best player of the season Sergio Aguero. The striker has already established himself as one of the best in the world and he proved it time and time again this year, sometimes single-handedly getting his team over the line.
But there is no doubt those 5 goals against Newcastle United was the highlight of his season. Aguero broke Toon fans’ hearts and the internet with that amazing performance. De Bruyne also added his name to the scoresheet with a wonder goal but it was always going to be remembered for the Argentine’s dazzling display.
8) Mahrez’s nutmeg against Stoke
Mahrez has had several magical moments this season. The goal he scored against Manchester City in that emphatic 3-1 win at the Etihad was also one of the biggest moments in the league but it doesn’t make this list.
The best moment was when Mahrez produced an outrageous piece of skill against Stoke City. The Elastico as it is known is a very difficult skill to pull off especially in a top flight match under pressure.
But it was all in a day’s work for Mahrez. The winger left Philipp Wollscheid bamboozled with his sublime piece of trickery and laid it on a plate for Leonardo Ulloa to hand Leicester a 3-0 lead on the night.
7) Jose Mourinho leaves Chelsea for the second time
Poor Jose. The Special One is one of the most successful managers in the modern game. But that still hasn't saved him from getting the sack. Mourinho led his side to an amazing Premier League title win last year.
The Blues were unstoppable and were once again marked as favourites to retain the title this year, because of the strength of their squad. But what followed during the first 5 months of the Premier League season was something fans wouldn’t have envisioned even in their worst nightmares.
Chelsea only managed to win 4 of their first 16 matches and Mourinho was given the sack after their loss to eventual Champions Leicester City. It was a match which probably encapsulated the direction both teams were heading in.
6) Jurgen Klopp’s famous celebration
The Premier League has always attracted the best managers in the world because of its famed competitiveness. Jurgen Klopp had said his goodbyes to Dortmund last season after taking them to new heights.
Everyone now knew what Klopp was capable of and his ability to get the best out of his players. Liverpool beat their rivals to his signature in December after Brendan Rodgers got the sack.6 months later Klopp has led Liverpool to two finals!
But the game that defined what his personality was all about was the one against West Brom. Liverpool managed to scrape out a hard-fought draw in a high tense affair and after the game Klopp took his players to the Kop end and saluted them in a fashion similar to his Borussia Dortmund days.
He was criticised for the gesture as the Reds were expected to win that game but Klopp defended it saying it was a show of solidarity towards the fans for the support they received throughout that game.
5) Martial’s debut goal against Liverpool
Louis Van Gaal made Anthony Martial the most expensive teenager in Premier League history when he purchased the then 19-year-old in August of 2015 for £36 million. A lot of criticism was directed towards the manager because of the risk he took in making that decision.
9 months later Martial has become Manchester United’s most important outfield player. His pace, power and goals have helped the Red Devils reach an FA Cup final for the first time since 2007.
But his introduction was something reminiscent of a certain Thierry Henry. Of all teams to make your debut against Van Gaal chose Liverpool. With the game well poised, the Frenchman came on, mesmerized three Liverpool defenders before scoring United’s third goal and securing a great result for his team.
4) Hazard’s goal against Spurs that won the league title for Leicester
Eden Hazard didn’t have the best of seasons in the Premier League. The Belgian won PFA player of the year during the 2014/15 season when his performances helped the Blues lift the trophy. It was his goal against Crystal Palace on the 3rd of May, 2015 that won Chelsea the league.
Exactly a year later, who would have thought he would score yet another title-winning goal but this time for Leicester City. Spurs were chasing the title and needed a win against their London rivals to ensure the race was extended for another week.
Tottenham took a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min and everyone thought that would be it. But Chelsea fought back admirably and in the 83rd minute Hazard curled a wonderful equalizer against Hugo Lloris that wrote Leicester into the history books.
3) Arsenal celebrate St.Totteringham's day again
Arsenal once again finished above Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. It is normally a formality for the Gunners but this season it was a lot more dramatic. Arsene Wenger has never finished below Spurs during his 20-year tenure.
But this season, in the latter stages it was their North London rivals who were the title-chasing team with Arsenal struggling to keep up in third. In the end, Chelsea ended their hopes of winning a first title in over `50 years.
That draw took the wind out of their sails and Arsenal were able to close the gap to 2 points before the final day. Spurs comically lost 5-1 to an already relegated, 10-man Newcastle United as Arsenal thrashed a hapless Aston Villa side which meant the Gunners finished a point ahead of their arch-rivals once again!
2) Ranieri’s guard of honour at Chelsea
After leading Chelsea to their best-ever finish in the Premier League, 2nd in the 2003/04 season and also reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League the Italian manager was given the sack.
Ranieri had done a very decent job during his 4-year spell as Chelsea manager even before the Abramovic money came in. Many did feel he was unfairly let go but 12 years later he finally had his Stamford Bridge moment.
The manager received a guard of honour from his former club. Sweet justice was served in the end for the veteran.
1) Leicester City’s crowning glory
This moment in time will be remembered for all eternity in the footballing world. It’s a moment that exemplifies the spirit of the game and what it really takes to win the Premier League title.
In this modern day and age when clubs with the largest bank accounts are normally the ones that achieve success, Leicester have provided the underdogs of every sport across the globe a lot of hope.
Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea spent a lot of money in the summer transfer window last year, but their performances have been less than satisfactory. Teams will now look at the Foxes’ model in an attempt to replicate it.
