The 20/21 Premier League season delivered some of the most entertaining football the league has ever seen, at a time when football fans were craving footballing action more than ever.
Not only did the footballing exploits of the world’s most competitive league keep us enthralled, it also taught us a number of valuable lessons to take forward into the upcoming season.
Take a look at the following points to see what we learnt from what has been one of the most memorable Premier League seasons in recent years
… It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish
Probably one of the most important life lessons out there was displayed in the 20/21 Premier League Season. If there was one thing to learn from what happened in the English top flight this season, it’s that a shaky start doesn’t necessarily mean a forgone season.
What it also proved to show is that a strong start isn’t enough to keep the momentum going throughout the season. We can take a look at Man City and Liverpool for example.
It would have felt hard to believe around Christmas that a 5 point clear at the top of the table Liverpool would eventually plumet to 8th position, lose their first game at Anfield in 68 games, and have a season remembered for the number of injured players they accumulated.
Man City’s shaky start was nothing to draw any conclusions on either, as the Cityzens went on to win their 5th Premier League Title. Their third title in four years and their 7th title in England.
Lesson learnt: Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched.
… Don’t bet on Fulham to stay up
The men from Craven Cottage will unfortunately be returning to the Championship after another dismal season in England’s top flight.
Over the last 3 years, Fulham have not spent more than one season in the same league, jumping between the Premier League and the Championship since the 18/19 season.
The Fulham faithful had high hopes for manager Scott Parker, whose efforts were unfortunately not enough to secure the lilly whites another season in the Premier League. Throughout the season, Fulham managed to win just five games, accumulate 28 points, and finish the season in 18th position.
While it’s always sad to see a team with the history and stature of Fulham go back down to the Championship, it does make way for an exciting match up as Brentford and Swansea must now battle it out for the last premier league spot.
All have their eyes set on this fixture, as Brentford have been dubbed favourites by everyone; from bookmakers in Uganda to betting sites in South Africa.
Lesson learnt: do not bet on Fulham to stay in the Premier League.
… London is no longer red, and hasn’t been for a while now
Arsenal. The very word is enough to incite frustration and disappointment, as one of world football’s biggest and most supported clubs once again failed to deliver in the most recent installment of the Premier League.
The Arsenal faithful had high hopes for the upcoming season, as it would see Mikel Arteta, former club captain and Arsenal legend take control of his first full Premier League season in charge, after delivering some impressive results late in the 19/20 season and in the build up to the 20/21 season.
Hopes of a new and improved Arsenal were dashed, as an inconsistent start culminated in a winless period lasting nearly two months. While the gunners showed valiant efforts to rally and salvage the season, they could not quite make it back to a spot that would guarantee them European football.
With a disappointing 8th place finish, and being bested by Chelsea and Tottenham in terms of Premier League rankings, it’s clear that London is no longer red, and has not been red for some time.
Lesson learnt: London may be blue or white, but sure isn’t red.