EPL wrap: Manchester City’s record-breaking season, Mo Salah goes nuts and it’s goodbye Arsene

ANOTHER season is in the books — with records tumbling, eras ending and a couple of Aussies making their mark. Here’s our seven takeaways from an action-packed Premier League year.

Mohamed Salah poses for a photo with his Premier League Golden Boot Award.

THE Premier League season is over — with Manchester City runaway victors as magical Liverpool star Mo Salah notched some outrageous records of his own on the final day.

The season wrapped up with an incredible final day as City capped off their extraordinary title win with one final victory to bring up a century of points.

Liverpool trounced Socceroo Mat Ryan’s Brighton and Hove Albion 4-0 on Monday morning, with Salah scoring the opening goal to take his record haul to 32 goals as the Reds secured the final Champions League spot — ahead of the final of this year’s tournament, where they’ll face Real Madrid in Kiev.

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Meanwhile, Chelsea suffered a stunning 3-0 defeat to Newcastle to finish fifth in a disappointing defence of last year’s title.

Tottenham played out an incredible nine-goal thriller to close their season, defeating Leicester City 5-4 to lock in third spot on the ladder.

It was a typically wild end to another rollercoaster Premier League season.

So without further ado, here’s our favourite takeaways from the past nine months.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (R) created history with the club this year.

SCINTILLATING CITY

Manchester City may not yet be the best team seen in the Premier League, but it’s hard to argue with the statistics when rating their effort this season. Pep Guardiola’s men set a new record for the amount of points accrued (100), wins (32) and the number of goals scored (106). They also had the biggest winning margin to second place (19 points), had the most successive wins (18) and the most away wins (16). Guardiola learnt some valuable lessons from his first year in England, with City taking their game to another level in his second season in charge. While the lack of a genuine challenger was disappointing, that was no fault of City’s. Guardiola has raised the bar at Premier League level, and the rest must now step up.

Arsene Wenger shows appreciation to the fans after his final Premier League match in charge.

AU REVOIR ARSENE

Arsene Wenger finally called it a day after 22 years in charge of Arsenal — and he went out with a win, as his Gunners notched a 1-0 win over Huddersfield. Wenger’s detractors will say it should have happened years ago, but the Frenchman’s legacy at the Gunners can’t be ignored. During Wenger’ reign, Arsenal won three Premier League titles — including their 2003-04 triumph when they didn’t lose a game — and seven FA Cups.

Fans hold up signs celebrating Arsene Wenger.

He was also seen as an innovator, not only at his club, but the entire Premier League. He changed the face of the game at club level in England, particularly in terms of ensuring players were as best prepared as possible to cope with a heavy schedule of matches.

Aaron Mooy enjoyed a wonderful season with Huddersfield.

SOCCEROO SAVIOURS

Leading Socceroos pair Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan largely had debut Premier League seasons to remember. Many expected Mooy’ Huddersfield and Ryan’s Brighton to go straight back down after earning promotion from the second-tier English Championship last season. But despite a few scares along the way, both clubs survived, with playmaker Mooy’s silky skills, and the safe hands of goalkeeper Ryan proving crucial to their respective clubs sticking around for at least another season in England’s top flight. The confidence Mooy and Ryan have gained this season will no doubt aid the Socceroos at the upcoming World Cup.

SUPER SALAH

Having previously starred for Roma in the defensively superior Italian Serie A, Salah’s superb season with Liverpool was no surprise to educated football fans. The Egyptian attacker has been unstoppable, and he could gain legendary Anfield status for life if he can inspire the Reds to UEFA Champions League glory over the mighty Real Madrid. Salah’s sublime season has made Liverpool fans quickly forget about January’s departure of Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho.

Salah scored his 32nd goal of the year against Brighton.

In terms of his goals and assists combined, it’s arguable there has never been anything superior in Premier League history. Certainly no one has matched his 32-goal effort in a 38-game season — Luis Suarez, Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo all hit 31. And the good thing for Reds supporters is that Salah has promised things will only get better next season.

Alan Pardew was punted by West Bromwich Albion....

MANAGERIAL MERRY-GO-ROUND

The cutthroat world of coaching led to the demise of 10 coaches Frank de Boer (Crystal Palace), Craig Shakespeare (Leicester), Ronald Koeman (Everton), Slaven Bilic (West Ham), Tony Pulis (West Brom), Paul Clement (Swansea), Mark Hughes (Stoke), Marco Silva (Watford), Mauricio Pellegrino (Southampton) and Alan Pardew (West Brom) ­this season in the Premier League.

....as was Tony Pulis.

Dutchman de Boer lasted just 77 days at Palace before being replaced by former England boss Roy Hodgson, who guided the Eagles to safety. West Brom’s chopping and changing couldn’t save them, while Hughes, went from zero to hero. The villain at Stoke, Hughes took over at Southampton in March and ensured the Saints avoided the drop.

The reputation of West Ham United's Joe Hart has fallen hugely in the past 12 months.

JOE BLOW

Once the golden boy of England goalkeepers, Hart is now in danger of missing out on a place his country’s 2018 World Cup squad. Still owned by Manchester City, Hart returned to the UK this season after a season on loan at Italian Serie A club Torino. He joined West Ham on another loan deal but less-than-convincing form resulted in him being often overlooked by Hammers boss David Moyes in the latter stages of the season. Reports suggest that West Ham aren’t interested in extending Hart’s time at the club next season.

Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has plenty of admirers.

In terms of Russia 2018, Stoke’s Jack Butland and Everton’s Jordan Pickford area ahead of Hart in the race for the three keeper spots in England’s squad, and there have been calls for Burnley’s Nick Pope to also get a spot at Hart’s expense.

Antonio Conte reacts during Chelsea’s humiliating defeat to Newcastle.

CONTE’S CONCERNS

AFTER a dream debut season as Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte found the going tough in his second campaign at charge at Stamford Bridge — which finished with an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Newcastle. While FA Cup glory remains a possibility, Chelsea finished in fifth spot and a staggering 30 points behind champions Manchester City. It was an unacceptable title defence for the London club, whose owner Roman Abramovich demands success. It has led to speculation that Chelsea will part ways with former Juventus coach Conte — who has been reportedly unhappy with the Blues’ transfer policy — in the coming weeks. Watch this space.

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Originally published as EPL wrap: Manchester City’s record-breaking season, Mo Salah goes nuts and it’s goodbye Arsene