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A thrilling Premier League season came to a fittingly entertaining climax on Sunday. Wins of 4-1 (Arsenal vs West Brom), 5-1 (Leicester vs QPR), and 6-1 (Stoke vs Liverpool) served as a perfect barometer of the excitement enjoyed throughout an exceptional campaign that has provided plenty of memorable moments. We've seen thrills and spills aplenty over the course of 2014/15, as well as world-class performances and dozens of spectacular finishes.
Here are 10 moments that stand out from a fascinating EPL season:
10. Return of Super Mario
Last season, Liverpool saw one controversial striker leave Anfield as Luis Suarez left for Barcelona. However, Brendan Rodgers was quick to replace him with an equally enigmatic forward in the form of Mario Balotelli – much to the delight of fans and journalists alike.
Whilst Super Mario failed to fill the void left by Suarez, instead manifesting as one of the worst signings of 2014/15 after a return of just a solitary one Premier League goal, he has continued to dominate tabloid headlines throughout the campaign.
Balotelli has been deemed an unwanted hassle by many Liverpool supporters. As far as neutrals are concerned, though, the Premier League is a far more exciting place for his involvement.
9. Lampard goal against Chelsea
When Frank Lampard joined Manchester City from Chelsea via New York City last summer, pretty much all football fans had one eye cast to the September meeting at the Etihad. Inevitably, Super Frank had a huge say on the result.
With Manuel Pellegrini's men struggling, Lampard popped up with a trademark strike to give the Citizens a share of the spoils. Even the travelling Chelsea fans showed their appreciation to a club legend.
Ultimately, that result couldn't help Machester City prevent Jose Mourinho's Chelsea from racing towards the crown, but it was still a brilliant moment in the 2014/15 season.
8. Young's change of fortune
Sometimes football provides answers to existential life questions; on the opening day of 2014/15, we gained confirmation that bird poo is indeed lucky.
Ashley Young had seemingly fallen off the face of the earth during David Moyes' ill-fated reign at Old Trafford and the new season started in similar horrific fashion as Swansea beat the Red Devils. However, the biggest talking point was the fact a bird had defecated in the unfortunate Manchester United winger's mouth.
Strangely, though, Young's form saw drastic improvements over the coming weeks and months. In fact, the resurgent United star even kept record signing Angel Di Maria out of the side for long periods and has even been touted for a potential England return at some stage.
And it's all down to that pigeon. Radamel Falcao: you know what you've got to do.
7. Goals galore at Goodison
Eventual champions Chelsea have been accused of being 'boring' throughout 2014/15, but their early season trip to Goodison Park was truly anything but. The visitors raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Diego Costa and Branislav Ivanovic early on, but a dogged Everton reduced the deficit to one just before half-time through Kevin Mirallas.
A trade of five alternative goals saw Chelsea take a 5-3 lead into the final minutes before Costa sealed the victory with his second late on. Nine goals and 90 minutes of undiluted drama.
This is exactly why we love the EPL.
6. Arsenal maturity at the Etihad
Most people agree that Arsenal remain the most appealing EPL side to watch on their day, but criticisms over their inability to 'win dirty' have hindered their progress over the past 10 years or so. However, Arsene Wenger's men finally showed signs of winning physical battles with a stunning display against 2013/14 champions Manchester City.
The Gunners were defensively perfect as they flew to a memorable win at the Etihad, demonstrating a side we hadn't seen from Wenger's side since the days of Patrick Vieira. Goals from Santi Cazorla and Oliver Giroud secured the points but the performance is what really raised a few eyebrows.
This game will also be remembered for the emergence of young Francis Coquelin, who was simply faultless at the heart of Arsenal's midfield. One of the best Gunners' displays in over a decade.
5. Harry Kane storms It
Yet again, the Premier League season was a tale of unfulfilled potential at White Hart Lane. However, the emergence of Harry Kane has been one of the biggest success stories across the whole league in 2014/15.
Kane enjoyed some incredible moments this term, including a hat-trick to celebrate his first England call-up, as well as two goals against Chelsea in a memorable 5-3 win at home on New Year's Day.
Nevertheless, the 21-year-old's best moment came courtesy of the two goals scored against Arsenal in a crucial North London derby. Considering the build up had seen pictures of a young Kane wearing a Gunners shirt, these important goals truly cemented his place in Spurs hearts.
A fantastic moment in an equally fantastic season for the young striker. His performance against eventual Champions Chelsea was also one of the best of the season. Not many strikers have managed to dominate the formidable pair of Gary Cahill and John Terry.
Watch how Kane demolishes Chelsea with his brilliant performance:
4. Gerrard's final goodbye
Steven Gerrard: greatest EPL player to never win the title?
The Liverpool legend's final farewell at Anfield didn't quite go plan as far as the team was concerned, as the Reds lost each of their last two matches. However, the skipper did cap his 504th, and final, league appearance with a goal to grab one positive out of an otherwise awful 6-1 defeat to Stoke.
Gerrard had previously been appreciated by the Chelsea fans just a few weeks ago, whilst also claiming one last moment of magic with a late winner against QPR in his penultimate Anfield run out.
Despite fading ability, Gerrard still finished 2014/15 as Liverpool's top scorer. Could have played one more year? Either way, he'll forever be remembered as a Kop king.
3. A weekend of great goals
Every football fan loves a golazo and the Premier League has provided many over the past 23 seasons. However, in early April, we were treated to a weekend of unrivalled quality as goal after memorable goal dazzled supporters across the globe.
Over the course of a thrilling weekend, Jermain Defoe hit a sublime volley to give Sunderland a vital derby win over Newcastle. Meanwhile, Bobby Zamora scored the best goal of his life for QPR whilst Bafetimbi Gomis netted two equally impressive goals to fire Swansea to success against Hull City.
However, the most iconic of the lot came courtesy of Charlie Adam's phenomenal effort for Stoke City at Stamford Bridge, which came from inside his own half!
Best Premier League goal ever?
2. Foxes tear United apart
One of the most absorbing aspects of the EPL is that literally any team can beat any other club on its day. Anything is possible in any given fixture, as Louis van Gaal's Red Devils found out at the King Power Stadium.
September's contest looked set to be a routine victory for the visitors as goals from Robin van Persie and Angel Di Maria put them 2-0 within 16 minutes. However, Leonardo Ulloa's instant reply was a sign of things to come from Nigel Pearson's spirited men.
An Ander Herrera strike had put United 3-1 up just before the hour before a rash tackle from Rafael offered Leicester a lifeline, which David Nugent duly accepted from the penalty spot. Just two minutes later the Foxes were level through a lovely Esteban Cambiasso strike, but the entertainment was far from over.
Jamie Vardy latched onto a Ritchie De Laet pass to put Leicester in front before Ulloa converted the Foxes' second penalty of the game to cement a memorable result at the King Power.
1. Mane of the moment
The surprise package of 2014/15 has to be Southampton and their incredible season under new boss Ronald Koeman was underlined emphatically by a 6-1 win over Aston Villa in their final home game of the campaign.
While the team's triumph will be noted, the fixture will be best remembered for the individual heroics of Senegalese winger Sadio Mane, who wrote himself into history with the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history.
The Saints man took just two minutes and 56 seconds to find the net three times, smashing Robbie Fowler's long-standing record of four minutes 32 seconds.
A truly magical moment that will last long in the memory.
